How Not to Let Your Job Affect Your Fitness

Are you letting your job affect your fitness? I think most of us have felt that way at some time or another. When I look back on my own life, there are definite “seasons” in my approach to fitness. And as I talk with friends and clients, they feel the same way. When we were younger, it was much easier to fit in exercise and fitness as a hobby. Spontaneous hikes and lake days with beach volleyball were certainly easier to fit in. But as our lives progressed to include serious relationships, maybe kids, and the responsibility of a career… fitness often took a back seat. So what are we to do? 

My Fitness Ups and Downs

Even with a career in the industry, I’ve allowed my job to affect my fitness. When I worked in a gym, I was demonstrating exercises, setting up equipment, and moving around during my shifts. Outside of work, I still made time to go for a run, do a class, or workout on my own. But when I opened B.Pilates & Fitness and stopped working there, my fitness level took a huge hit. 

As I got my business up and running, I found myself spending a LOT more time in front of the computer and less time moving my body. My activity level went down, and so did my fitness level. With this past year seeing so many people working from home, I’m sure you can relate! Even with the studio running smoothly pre-Covid, this strange year had me setting up online classes and adjusting my schedule again. There will always be ups and downs to our fitness routines and abilities. 

When Work Gets in the Way

With desk-jobs more commonplace than ever, it is no doubt that a job affects our fitness simply by the static nature of our work. But it is also the time factor, adjusting to career changes, and feeling that we need to squeeze in so many other obligations around the work day. Unfortunately, fitness is often one of the first things to fall away when life gets busy.

Read More: 7 Exercises & Stretches if You Sit All Day

Yet when we allow our physical health to take a back seat, everything else in our lives shifts, as well. When we don’t exercise, we are more tired, moody, achy, and even more prone to illness or injury. Deep down, we know that our physical health matters. 

So while it can be hard to make excuses for why you aren’t as fit as you’d like to be (work, time, kids)… or to not compare yourself to who you may have been in the past (stronger, faster, younger)… consider that in 10 years, today-you will be your past self! What can you do now to make the future-you happy, healthy, and strong?

Fitting in Fitness

If you fit into that category of “I know I should exercise more, but…”, then I encourage you to work on your mindset around exercise. Rather than it being another thing to fit into your day, consider all of the benefits you’ll get from moving your body. After a long or stressful day, I find that I feel better when I turn to exercise before I crash on the couch. A short run helps me burn stress or anxiety, a heavy weight workout makes me feel strong when I’m stressed, and Pilates relieves tight muscles. And boy, do I sleep better when I work out that day!

Some of my favourite ways to fit in fitness when I’m busy are to work out from home (try the Sweat with Melissa app), make plans with a friend for a run or walk, or hire a trainer to keep you motivated and accountable. I offer prepaid Pilates classes and fitness sessions, so you’ll want to make use of what you paid for! 
Just as not working out is a habit, you can make exercise a habit, too. If you are ready to Change Habits & Find Time for You, I’m here, rooting for you. Be present, accept where you are starting from, and keep striving to feel and move the best you can.