Get Fit with Ayla

by Ayla Riggle

Ayla Riggle is an Everett resident and owner of Thrive Fitness, providing customized fitness programs for all fitness levels.  Certified by the American Council on Exercise as a Personal Fitness trainer, she provides personal training in home, at Anytime Fitness in Lake Stevens and outdoor fitness boot camps. For more information on Ayla and her services, visit www.thrivefitness.info.

The days are getting longer, yet finding the time to squeeze in a workout is not getting easier. It seems that somewhere along the way, those extra hours became filled with something else. Weeks go by with the best intentions of working out five days, no exceptions...and then something called life happens and it's a feat to find time for one weekly sweat session. Don't throw in the towel just yet. Finding time for fitness is a challenge, but it's not impossible.

Planning your week of fitness in advance will guarantee that you follow through. When a workout is scheduled like any other appointment, it's less likely to be overlooked or skipped. Have a schedule that's booked solid? Wake up a half hour earlier than usual for a quick workout, which will help you get energized and focused for the long day ahead. If waking any earlier would still be considered nighttime, bring a pair of gym shoes to work and use your lunch break to go for a brisk walk or jog. Divide your workout into three 10-minute sessions, but be sure to get your heart rate up and challenge yourself during those sweet 10 minutes of exercise.

If all else fails and you just can't seem to find the time between catching up on TiVo'd episodes of "24," hitting summer barbecues and meeting that deadline at the office, prioritize. If fitness is not on the top of your priorities, it will likely be put on the back burner. It does not have to be a time-consuming commitment, but it does need to be a commitment. Evaluate your reasons for wanting to work out and carry a motivating picture or your top five reasons as a reminder.

With the right planning and strategizing, a leaner, fitter body is possible, even amidst a hectic schedule and long to-do list. Equip yourself for the week ahead by scheduling workouts, bringing gym clothes to work, squeezing mini-workouts into the day and staying focused on your goals. Don't put off until tomorrow what can be accomplished today.