Sneak Cardio into your Day

Today’s blog post was written by professional cyclist Alison Tetrick.

It always seems easier to get out and be active when the sun is shining and the weather is warm. As fall can no longer be ignored, and winter is approaching, it becomes more difficult to squeeze in your exercise with the shorter days and a busy holiday party schedule. Cardio is a great way to not only boost your metabolism, but also energize your day. Instead of procrastinating or making excuses for wanting to hibernate as the weather gets cooler, find ways to be active regardless of the season.

Here are some tips to motivate you to sneak in that cardio.

1. There is always time. Even if you just dedicate 20 minutes to a quick workout, you will benefit from this.  Jog up the stairs at work or walk briskly a few blocks longer before getting in the cab.  Stow a pair of comfy shoes at your desk for these quick adventures.  You will return more alert and productive.

2. Make it a priority. Add your cardio to your “to-do list” so you can cross it off when you have accomplished it for the day, or schedule into your calendar.  Your health is important, so make it a priority.  Try a spin class at your local gym, which is a great way to get your heart rate up without impact and under the light and warmth of the indoors.

3. Be creative. A workout doesn’t have to be the obvious gym routines like a treadmill, it can be fun. Join a recreational sport league like basketball, tennis or volleyball, where you can exercise without getting bored.  Think about the activities you like the most, and ways your can incorporate them into your week.

4. Something is better than nothing. Don’t be a fatalist when it comes to completing your cardio session for the day when things don’t go the way you plan.  Just because your meeting ran late, doesn’t mean you can’t do something different or a shortened version—remember there is always time.  You just need to make it a priority.  With shorter time available, doing a more intense workout can be efficient.  For example, doing sprints or surges with a recovery between the intervals.

5. Make it a family affair. Time is precious, so why not plan some family outings that involve a little exercise.  Ice skating and skiing are winter activities that the whole family can enjoy, and a great way to encourage your loved ones to incorporate exercise into their day.

6. Bring a friend. If you have someone you are supposed to meet at o’dark thirty, you are more likely to strap on that head lamp and get out the door.  Find a good exercise partner to hold you accountable for those morning runs or the class at the gym.

About the Author:

Alison Tetrick is a professional cyclist and an Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer Ambassador. She has been a professional athlete for the last five years and has raced all over the world, from Qatar to Argentina, and of course the Amgen Tour of California. She represented the USA at the Pan American Games, and in 2014, she was 3rd at the World Championships in the team time trial. She is passionate about raising awareness of the benefits of being active and the resources available to those affected by cancer. You can follow her adventures along at @AMTetrick. You can also follow Amgen’s Breakaway from Cancer पर @BreakawayCancer.