How Fitness Can Make You More Efficient

Adding to your to-do list may sound like a counterproductive way to make you more efficient, but hear me out. Fitness CAN make you more efficient.

How Does it Increase Efficiency?

Fitness, weightlifting and cardio exercises, can be empowering and help to make you feel more energized and awake. This can improve your overall feelings of self-worth and make you feel more ready to tackle your to-do list.

Think of it this way, are you more likely to get your work done if you feel "meh" or if you feel good about yourself? Most people would say that they're more likely to get their work done if they are feeling good about themselves. It's not that you have less work to do, it's that you feel more motivated and better equipped to get the work done.

Tips for Scheduling In Your Fitness Routine

It's understandable that adding to your to-do list could be overwhelming and make you wonder how you can find time to do it all... With that said, here are some tips on how to schedule in your fitness routine:

• Get it in first thing. A morning workout can boost your energy right away and make it easier to start the day with a spark of motivation.

• Understand WHEN works for you. Morning workouts don't work out well for everyone. If the idea of a morning workout makes you want to scream, don't do it then. Figure out what time of day makes you feel most excited to workout and try to schedule it in then.

• Break it up. If your schedule is crazy, break up your workout throughout the day. Maybe you get your stretch in during your morning routine, a walk in during lunch and weights in after dinner. Maybe you're a cardio-only person and you do 10 minutes at a time 3-5 minutes throughout the day.

• Something is better than nothing. You don't have to do a full 90 minute workout everyday. If all you have time for is 20 minutes, try something high intensity. If you're feeling too sore, maybe opt for a gentle walk and some yoga.

• Get creative. There are great ways to get your workout in throughout the day. Try a treadmill desk or a stability ball chair. Maybe you get your reps in on your walk into work or take your calls on a walk around a track. I've been known to carry my mini stair stepper around with me so I can get 5 minutes in here and there.

Where to Start

Start small. It can be tempting to go all-in right away and while that's admirable, it will make you more susceptible to burn-out. I always suggest starting small, with something sustainable and building on weight or time as you go on.