When is the Best Time for a Workout? Joyce Vedral’s Top Workout Scheduling Tips

For most of us, the hardest thing about sticking to a new workout plan is finding the time to fit it into a busy schedule.

Over her long career in the fitness industry, Joyce Vedral picked up some foolproof techniques for turning those New Years workout resolutions into lifelong habits.  The following letter to CI readers explains her most effective tips and tricks. Thanks, Joyce!

Dear Cellulite Investigation Readers,

Today it is more tempting than ever to not work out. We can just sit in front of a screen all day –TV, computer, Blackberry –you name it. When people do work out, they often want to do a trendy workout –something “fun.”

Working out and having fun is a lovely idea. We can put on wonderful music and jump around like jackrabbits hoping to get lucky. Well, here’s a newsflash. I don’t want you to have fun. I want you to do a workout that works. The fun part will be seeing major changes in 3 weeks –and a whole new body in less than 12 weeks.

Okay. So how do you find the motivation to do a workout if it’s not fun? First, tear up the New Years resolution list. Instead, write a list of your goals. When you think of working out with weights (and any other important thing you want to accomplish) as a goal, it turns it into something positive rather than a punishment.

When Should You Plan to Work Out?

When planning your workout, it is critical to have a Plan A and a Plan B. Say your plan A is to work out in the morning. But some mornings you just can’t. You either got up late, your child needed special attention, or some such reality. Then you should have already set up a plan B. The big key is programming your mind ahead of time, twice. Once when you make your overall plan, and again the moment your plan A falls through.

When it comes to working out, morning is always best. I mean real morning, right after you roll out of bed and go to the bathroom. And hey, no need to take off your sleep clothing –after the workout you can throw them in the wash. It’s okay if you feel drowsy when you start. After three minutes you’ll wake up and keep getting energy after that, so your whole day goes better. Plus, working out in the morning guarantees that you get it done.  So unless there is no way you can workout in the morning, I say DO IT FIRST THING IN THE MORNING.

But what if you can’t? The next best time is to workout at lunchtime. If you can’t bring your dumbbells to work, see if there’s a fitness center nearby that has free-weights and a bench. Make sure the fitness center is not crowded when you would go. The last thing you ever need is to wait even one minute for your weights.

Your third choice is to work out the minute you come home from work. When you walk in the door, like a robot you would take off your work clothing and put on some sweats or boxers (I like boxers and a tank top) and before you have a chance to think, you would start the workout. Do not answer the phone, the door, or the call of nature. (Just kidding about that last one.) Before you know it, the workout is over and you can enjoy your evening in peace.

Why is it Better to Work Out at Home than in a Gym?

You are much more likely to do your workout if you do it at home. The very thought of dragging yourself to a fitness center, before or after work, is enough to make most people say “forget about it.”

In addition, think of all the time you are wasting. Traveling to and from a fitness center is bound to be at least 30 minutes to an hour –more when you count in the changing of clothing, getting set up, and waiting for the weights or machines you want to use.

Also, think of how much more effort you have to put into your appearance. In your house, who cares? But if you know you will be seen by the public, you are bound to want to fix your hair and put on a little make-up and care about what you wear. Also, chances are you will waste plenty of time talking to people you meet there –and at the same time, weakening the power of your workout.

And what about the money? Let’s face it. A gym membership is expensive, even in the most economical set-ups. Why waste the money when you get a better workout at home with three sets of dumbbells and a step or bench. Your total cost will be under a hundred dollars. Plus, it’s a one time cost. Not a yearly renewal cost.

Cellulite is attacking people younger and younger because cellulite is bunched up fat that shows through thin skin when muscle is not present. So let’s get to work building that muscle. If you have any questions about weight training, I will personally answer your e-mail and give you free fitness advice. You can contact me through my website at www.joycevedral.com.

Love,
Joyce

Thank you to Joyce Vedral, for participating in the first ever Cellulite BOTM Research Group! You can find more of her motivational books and workout videos at www.joycevedral.com.

Next month’s selection for the Cellulite BOTM is Cellulite Solutions (52 Brilliant Ideas): Tips and Techniques to Lose the Lumps. You are welcome to read along as we journey on our way to cellulite enlightenment!

Tagged as: exercise