The Daily Balance

Good morning, friends! Confession: on the workout front, I’ve been slacking. Before you get all judgmental on me, let me explain. I’m taking the GRE this weekend. Yes, yes, I took it for my Master’s program, but those scores expire this year and I need to take it again so I’m ready when I apply for my PhD. But with words like Quiescent, Trenchant, Nascent and Meretricious (to name a FEW!) I’ve been spending almost ALL my spare time studying. And don’t even get me started on all the math skills I’m re-teaching myself! Anyway, something’s gotta give, and unfortunately it’s been my time at the gym.

This makes me both sad

and ANGRY!

I’m know I’m not alone in this predicament. I know several of you have other things going on — i.e. work, kids, school — that infringe on your workout time. I’m here to help!

What should you do if you can’t make it to the gym?

1.) EAT CLEAN — Diet is 80% of the way you you look. If you can’t get your body moving, make sure you decrease your calories a bit and keep things clean with fruits, nuts, veggies and lean protein.

2.) Take the stairs! I’m on the third floor in my office. While others take the elevator for lunch breaks and to get to other meetings, I take the stairs. Every little bit helps!

3.) Save some time with Exercise TV or a workout DVD (like 30 day shred or Physique 57)

4.) Two birds. One stone. Need to study? Incorporate it into your workout! For example: If you are trying to learn definitions (like me!), create a workout challenge. For every word you don’t get correct, you have to do 10 sit-ups while reciting the definition. If you get it wrong AGAIN you have to do 10 push-ups — I guarantee you’ll start remembering!

Need more help? Read:

How to fit in fitness on any schedule

Fitting in Fitness (even at work!)

Get NEAT! 

How do you change things up when you can’t make it to the gym? What adjustments do you make? Please share your words of wisdom!

15 Responses to “What should you do if you can’t make it to the gym?”

1. Tweets that mention What should you do if you can’t make it to the gym? | The Daily Balance -- Topsy.com said:

   [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by The Daily Balance. The Daily Balance said: Published a new post: What should you do if you can't make it to the gym? @http://tinyurl.com/yblgqza [...]

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 9:43 am | Reply
2. Ann @ Appalachian Appetites said:

   Take the dog for an extra walk! And walk fast

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:05 am | Reply
3. Anna @ Newlywed, Newly Veg said:

   I definitely agree that eating healthy and getting little spurts of movement in when you can (stairs, ten minute walks, etc.) are great ways to feel okay when you can’t hit the gym hard core!

   Good luck on the GRE– I HATED taking that test. Actually, I hated studying for it the most

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:12 am | Reply
4. Kim said:

   When I know I won’t be hitting up the gym, I take the loooong way to classes, the long way around the grocery store, etc. If I have to study, I read my notes while walking around the house or the neighborhood (I just have to watch where I’m going. Many a spill has been taken this way). I also try to stand more than I sit, and walk more than I stand. Every little bit helps!

   Good luck with studying!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:29 am | Reply
5. Rose said:

   This is a great article! I struggle with the same thing. School is all consuming at the moment, so I have been trying to stick with a clean diet, parking farther away so I get built-in walks, and also scheduling meetings that are farther away on campus for more walking. It’s been helping. Although I’ve lost some muscle tone, I haven’t gained weight. I just can’t wait until this is over so I can get back to running!

   Good luck with the GREs! You will do great!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:39 am | Reply
6. Katie @ Health for the Whole Self said:

   Great post! When I was in undergrad, the days leading up to a test I’d take my notes and just read through them over and over again while on the elliptical. And somehow all of the information seeped into my brain and I was able to remember it!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:49 am | Reply
7. Jessica said:

   I’m replacing my gym time with packing time! I’m hoping that moving and lugging around my crap will compensate for the lack of gym time!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 10:49 am | Reply
8. Lindsay @ The Ketchup Diaries said:

   I completely agree…it’s mostly in the diet. Keep it clean and you’ll be back to exercising it no time!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 11:19 am | Reply
9. Lizzy said:

   Hey girlie! Love the ideas!! I am a workout crazy…I seriously can’t study if I don’t get my sweat on before hand! When I was studying for the GRE, I brought my flashcards, or even my huge studybook to the gym and read while gettin’ my sweat on (either the arcTrainer or treadmill) surely not optimal workout or studying environment, but it worked for me! I hope you have a great wednesday! and GOOD LUCK on the exam!!!
   xoxo!

   Posted on March 31, 2010 at 11:20 am | Reply
10. Jessica @ The Process of Healing said:

    Good luck on the GRE girl!!!
    I can’t make it to the gym erm… for a while. Thank you stress fracture. And i’m on crutches and rest so i’m burning MUCH less calories than before. But my body also needs plenty of calories to heal. So I’ve been just focusing on eating healthy and accepting that it’s the best I can do right now!

    Posted on March 31, 2010 at 11:51 am | Reply
11. Sophie @ yumventures said:

    I used to bring notecards with me and review them on the treadmill. The monotony of running helped me put a beat to the answers!

    Posted on March 31, 2010 at 12:55 pm | Reply
12. Jarrod@ Optimistic Journey said:

    I usually get the majority of my workout at home doing push-ups with Perfect Push-ups and resistance training with Resistance Bands. usually about 30 minutes a day is helpful. I wake up earlier so that I can get that done. The resistance bands work wonders.

    Sorry you had such a hard time making it to the gym lately. No judging on my part, mostly understanding.

    Posted on March 31, 2010 at 3:36 pm | Reply
13. jaclyn@todayslady said:

    I can totally relate to this post!!! I love the idea of studying definitions and doing sit ups when you get something wrong!!! I have to try this!

    Posted on April 1, 2010 at 1:16 am | Reply
14. Thankful Thursday | The Daily Balance said:

    [...] My ability to focus and designate a bug chunk of time to STUDYING (even if it means I have to miss the gym) [...]

    Posted on April 1, 2010 at 6:01 pm | Reply
15. Annice Grippe said:

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    Posted on April 7, 2010 at 4:56 pm | Reply