Habits of Fit People: Develop a Plan B
By: Nicole Nichols,
SparkPeople Blogger
11/7/2008 6:43 AM
: 62 comments
You want to be a fit person, right? That's why I'm sharing my own habits for keeping fit and staying healthy in the ongoing Habits of Fit People series.
Here's one that works for me: Developing a plan B. So why does something like this matter?
It's hard enough to get the gym or carve out a few minutes to work out at home without LIFE getting in the way. It seems like 1,000 different things happen in a single day that can throw off your plans to exercise: a sick child, a last-minute deadline at work, a traffic jam, a phone call from a friend in need—you name it. And as if these unexpected events didn't make it difficult enough, then there are the saboteurs—the co-workers, friends and even loved ones who sabotage your efforts or discourage you from following through. It's a wonder that anyone with a job, family or social life is able to exercise at all!
That's where a plan B comes in. Similar to the 10-minute rule, a plan B is something else you can do that's better than doing nothing. It's an alternative you can use when you are late for Pilates class, unable to get to the gym, or simply don't have the time for your usual workout. The key is that you have to think about it in advance, long before the interferences or interruptions come your way—that's why it's called a plan.
Here are just a few "plan B's" that I keep up my own sleeve:
Why it works: When you plan for the unexpected, you're better able to face it and take it in stride. When you don't have any alternatives, it's easier to just give up and get down on yourself.
Do you have a plan B? If not, come up with one now! What "go to" workout can you turn to when life gets in the way?
Here's one that works for me: Developing a plan B. So why does something like this matter?
It's hard enough to get the gym or carve out a few minutes to work out at home without LIFE getting in the way. It seems like 1,000 different things happen in a single day that can throw off your plans to exercise: a sick child, a last-minute deadline at work, a traffic jam, a phone call from a friend in need—you name it. And as if these unexpected events didn't make it difficult enough, then there are the saboteurs—the co-workers, friends and even loved ones who sabotage your efforts or discourage you from following through. It's a wonder that anyone with a job, family or social life is able to exercise at all!
That's where a plan B comes in. Similar to the 10-minute rule, a plan B is something else you can do that's better than doing nothing. It's an alternative you can use when you are late for Pilates class, unable to get to the gym, or simply don't have the time for your usual workout. The key is that you have to think about it in advance, long before the interferences or interruptions come your way—that's why it's called a plan.
Here are just a few "plan B's" that I keep up my own sleeve:
- Walking or running outside. Walking is a good alternative when I'm feeling low on energy or under the weather. Running is a great workout that I can do when I'm short on time or unable to get to the gym.
- Workout DVDs. It's a good idea for everyone to have a few good DVDs at home. When I work late, need a shorter workout, or just feel less than enthusiastic about my usual routine, I can usually find a workout DVD at home that fits my schedule and my mood.
- An express routine. If time is the issue, I'll fit in a shorter version of my strength training or cardio routine, usually bumping up the intensity (incline, resistance, speed, etc.) to make the most of my time. Sometimes I'll do just one set of each strength training move, and switch between each one quickly to limit downtime.
Why it works: When you plan for the unexpected, you're better able to face it and take it in stride. When you don't have any alternatives, it's easier to just give up and get down on yourself.
Do you have a plan B? If not, come up with one now! What "go to" workout can you turn to when life gets in the way?
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Comments
yoga class, or treadmill with circuit strength training
Plan B - Fitness DVD (often Jillian Michaels 30 day shred, or Power 90) - 6/9/2012 7:26:48 PM
I also need Plan B workouts when some part of my body is misbehaving. I've got several old injuries that still cause trouble from time to time - a torn rotator cuff (gets in the way of strength training), ruptured discs in my back (ditto), stress fractures in my legs. If it's my shoulder or back, I typically turn to an easy elliptical workout, which seems to work the kinks out in my body. If it's my legs that are bothering me, I usually do strength instead of cardio. - 1/28/2011 4:34:54 PM
BANG!: 30 min of being active, with a little cardio thrown in, while 'paying it forward'. - 1/6/2011 9:32:01 AM
For example I'll do jumping jacks, squat thrusts, jump rope, mountain climbers, and skaters for 30 seconds without rest then rest 30 seconds between circuits. - 8/30/2009 8:25:10 AM
Measuring... Measiring... Measuring... All done! ;-) - 11/9/2008 1:42:48 PM
[DDR=Dance Dance Revolution] - 11/9/2008 10:26:30 AM
- 11/7/2008 3:12:51 PM
Thanks SP, it's all starting to sink in and be second nature. - 11/7/2008 2:42:10 PM
I try to in general walk more if I know I may not have time to exercise. I am in college, and I commute on the bus, so instead of sitting and waiting for the bus, if I have some extra time I will walk around campus until I know the bus will be there. I also sometimes get off at an earlier stop and walk the rest of the way to my class.
Another alternative I have is the wii. I have wii fit and wii sports and I love to play them. It is really easy to play for an hour and not even know it. As long as I try my best and really get into the game, I can burn about 5-6 calories per minute which isn't bad!
I also have a game called Yourself!Fitness and you play it on the Xbox. It is a game where you have this girl named Maya as your personal trainer and you can decide on what kind of workout you want to do. They have 15-1 hour workouts and you can also incorporate exercises that are done with a stationary ball or dumbells. It is really fun and no two workouts are the same. I like to do this every once in a while, especially when I can't make it to the gym or it is too dark outside to go running!
This is an awesome article and I think it is really important to keep this in mind because almost every day there is at least one obsticale to overcome when it comes to exercising. - 11/7/2008 12:55:51 PM
I change my routine occasionally. If i am walking 30 minutes twice a day and using my treadmill for 30 minutes then i change that and go to the gym and get in some good strength training and away we go. My body tends to get bored with the same workout day after day. - 11/7/2008 11:33:14 AM
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