If you’re like most people, you have way more things on your to-do list than you can accomplish in a given day. With all of the work deadlines, soccer practices, piano recitals, and maybe even a little alone-time with your sweetie, your calendar is full.

But you know you should be exercising. You probably even know that you would feel better and have more energy if you did. But adding one more thing to that list that you need to do every day? It just seems so overwhelming.

Learning how to fit exercise into a busy schedule isn’t as impossible as it seems.

In fact, learning how to fit in fitness is downright easy when you know the science-backed secret.

But before we get to the secret that will teach you how to fit exercise into a busy schedule, I need you to let you know that you’ve been lied to. But not by me!

I’m just the bearer of bad news. You see, the fitness industry wants you to believe that you have to go to a gym and workout for an hour or it doesn’t count.

That’s just ridiculous.

Who has the time to drive to the gym, exercise for an hour, take a second shower, and drive home every day?

Not many people I know.

That’s why it’s fantastic news to learn that effective exercise doesn’t have to take an hour!

In fact, recent studies indicated that cardio mini-sessions as short as 7-8 minutes can deliver health benefits. If you think you have no time to workout, give this short cardio workout a try — then tell me if it doesn’t get your heart pumping!

And if you’re someone who likes a short bit of exercise to get your day going, couple that with another mini workout in the afternoon or evening. Something like these exercise ideas for super busy people don’t take much time, but they offer quick options for a second mini workout.

While it may not be the standard practice, working out two times a day works!

Before you go thinking about how you’re going to get dressed into workout clothes and shower after two workouts, take a deep breath. While your workouts should raise your heart rate, there’s no need to go all out in order to call something exercise. Exercise physiologists have found that lifestyle movement all throughout the day is important for overall health and well-being.

Not sure I’m telling the truth? Check out these 3 Proven Ways Fitness Science Supports Your Busy Lifestyle.

Even Beginners can learn how to fit exercise into a busy schedule!

If you’re a true beginner, even just starting a fitness routine may be scary. That’s okay! Take a deep breath, and know that there are quality resources to help you. These three secrets to starting a successful exercise habit that sticks can help you get going.

Also, the great news for beginner exercisers is that you see health gains quickly. While developing a new exercise habit is hard, know that you’re giving yourself a wonderful gift. You’re worth it!

Used to be a regular exerciser, but life got in the way?

No worries! Life happens. The important thing is that you figure out how to get going again. Check out my tips for how to get back into exercise.

And if an injury has been the cause of your inactivity, I’m so sorry! It’s pretty frustrating how easily we fill our old workout time with other obligations when we can’t exercise. Please have a look at my 8 steps for safely returning to exercise after injury so we make sure you don’t get injured again!

New Mom Looking to Fit in Fitness?

First of all, congratulations! Having a new baby is an exciting time in your life.

But, WOW, is it a lot of work to take care of a baby! And it’s so tiring! Learning how to be a mom at the same time you’re figuring out how to fit exercise into a busy life #momstyle can feel like a lot of hard work.

Know that continuing to take care of yourself is one of the best things you can do for your baby. Being smart about when and how you exercise your new mom body is key to your overall health.

Postpartum women have certain physical conditions that need to be considered when returning to exercise after giving birth. Making a postpartum exercise plan is the first step.

Making peace with your body– and the busyness of your new life—will give you the mindset you need to start a mom fitness plan that is realistic and sustainable.

Can this simple strategy of fitting in fitness really help me meet my health goals?

Yes! The key, as with most things in life, is strategic planning and goal setting.

You’ve got to be willing to sit down with your calendar and see where you have tiny blocks of time that you can re-purpose for exercise. You know those annoying gaps between meetings—where there’s just not really enough time to do anything else? Those are perfect for sneaky workouts.

Once you know strategies for how to find time to exercise, you’ll start seeing that little pockets of time arise all throughout your day. And that consistent, lifestyle movement is what keeps us healthier than periodic exercise binges. (Not to mention, you’re less likely to get injured, too.)

How to fit exercise into a busy schedule is ultimately about your priorities.

And just like any other goal, you have to be willing to spend your time and energy to reach it. How do you do that? Make it!

We all have the same twenty-four hours in a day. But by being choosy and intentional about how we spend our time, we can reach our goals.

And when we believe the science that says that your workouts don’t have to take forever or make you crazy sweaty in order to be effective, learning how to fit exercise into a busy schedule isn’t so hard after all.

The Well Balanced Women blog is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please discuss your health issues with a licensed medical practitioner.