Beat Fatigue

Getting to the Gym After Work

Sep 18, 2009 Luanne Shear

It isn't always fun and it sure isn't easy, but making time for a daily fitness program is imperative for our health.

A long day at work - sitting, standing, eating, concentrating - and finally, it’s time for the slow drive home - pausing and braking for careless drivers. How does a person find the genuine desire to stir up a physical sweat at 6pm? Millions of women face this dilemma everyday.

Steps Now, Exercise Later

The projection of your physical activity begins in the morning. Make a healthy breakfast, not a huge breakfast. Starting the day on a healthy note will cause a subtle yearning to continue healthy behavior throughout the entire day. The following are a few ideas for morning meals that coincide with fitness diets:

  • 2 egg whites mixed with chopped mushrooms and a slice of ham on 1 slice of whole wheat toast
  • 1 package of "weight control" oatmeal mixed with a handful of blueberries and 1 tablespoon of light syrup
  • 1 cup of fresh fruit and 1/3 cup of low fat yogurt and 1 tablespoon of raisins

Don’t Just Munch for Lunch

The next important part of the day is planning a lunch that will provide satisfaction and energy. Hydrating on water and not overloading on coffee and soda is crucial in preparation for an early evening gym session. Try incorporating a sufficient amount of filling greens - a cup of broccoli florets or unsalted green beans. It’s important not to deprive the body of satisfying foods, so be sure to include a small chicken breast or a few slices of turkey.

Snacks are Not the Enemy

Unfortunately, a healthy lunchtime meal will not hold you over until work out time; so pack a sliced apple or granola bar to munch on about one hour before working out.

The Final Steps

Although driving directly from work to the gym is ideal, sometimes stopping at home is necessary. It is important to not give the body too much time to relax or sit down, so quickly walk the dog and regain focus. Make sure your iPod is charged and workout gear is ready.

Allow the car ride to the gym to be exciting. Call a friend and brag about the cardio you plan on doing or enjoy a few of your favorite songs on the radio. The hardest part is actually getting to the gym. Once you’ve strolled through the doors, it’s easy to get inspired by all of the sweaty bodies. Since cardio is especially exhausting, it’s wise to do abs and arm weights first, in order to preserve a bulk of your energy for the final physically demanding moments.

Exercise Anticipation

Once you acknowledge your capability of exercising after work, it is necessary to maintain your newfound enthusiasm. Allow time to stretch and calmly breathe after a work out session. Design a play list of your favorite songs or splurge on a new pair of sneakers. Small incentives will keep you in the game and your body in shape.

The copyright of the article Beat Fatigue in Mind/Body Fitness is owned by Luanne Shear. Permission to republish Beat Fatigue in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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Comments

Sep 18, 2009 2:09 PM
Guest :
Great motivation. I know it is up to me and it is good to hear that others experience the same let-down at the end of a busy day. Good advice to time your eating before an evening work-out. I'm going to try this and see how I feel.
Sep 19, 2009 6:22 PM
Guest :
what an inspiring article I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
2 Comments