by Amber Hilton

Created on: June 01, 2010

Not having the time or motivation after a long day at work is a commonly cited reason for why Americans don't make time to get regular physical activity. While it might be a genuine reason for some, it's still a poor excuse. When you consider the big picture, your health should always be top priority. The day-to-day stress of making a living and providing for a family might cloud your judgment, but when it comes down to it, nothing should take priority over your health. What sort of playmate are you for your child if you are too obese to take them to the park? How much better might you perform at work if you weren't always so tired and run down. In the long run, getting regular exercise and improving your physical health will improve all other aspects of your life, so its time to stop using life as an excuse not to get healthy. Even if you have no other option but to work a long day, there are many ways that you can find time to fit in a workout.

*Walk to work: Walking or biking to work is a great way to fit in a workout without much extra effort. Of course, for some people with an hour-long commute, this simply isn't a possibility, but for many others it's definitely a viable option. You may have to get up a bit earlier and be willing to trade in your pumps for a pair of sneakers, but you'll get your workout in naturally without having to muster the motivation after a long work day. If your job requires you to wear dressy clothes and you're worried about perspiration, bring a change of clothes to work. If all this seems like too much hassle, at the very least, aim to take the stairs instead of the elevator and park farther away from work; every extra step counts.

*Make a plan: Without a plan, losing weight is nearly impossible. Even if your goal isn't weight loss, but just better overall health and increased stamina, you still need to create a plan of action. If fitness is your goal, you should keep a gym bag in your car stocked and ready at all times. Rather than joining a gym on the other side of town, make sure to join a club that is on your commute home so you'll have no excuse for not fitting in a workout after a long day at the office. Of course, you don't need to have a gym membership to get fit, but many people find that it helps them to stay committed to their goal.

*Utilize your lunch hour: While the rest of your office mates are splitting a pizza for lunch, why not take advantage of your break time and do something healthy. Walk to the nearest Subway and get yourself a veggie sub or simply throw on your walking shoes and take a few laps around the block. You'll likely find time to munch on healthy snacks at your desk later anyways, so why not take this opportunity to fit a workout into your long work day. It might not be easy to pass up unhealthy lunches with your coworkers, but getting out of the office can help.

These are just a few of the many ways that you can fit a workout into your long work day. No one said it's going to be easy, but changing your ways takes commitment and dedication. If losing weight or getting healthy is important to you, stop making excuses and start changing your priorities today.

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