Busy schedule. Full calendar. Overflowing inbox. Sound familiar? For many of us, the constant pressure of work, meetings, and deadlines leaves us asking, “When on earth am I supposed to fit in a workout?”

Prioritizing exercise in the face of endless responsibilities isn’t about finding “extra” time. It’s about creating intentionality around your health. Here’s how to prioritize fitness so you’re not just squeezing it into your week but making it a non-negotiable part of your day.

Why Prioritize Exercise?

Think of exercise as your anchor in a churning sea. When everything’s coming at you—work deadlines, meetings, emails—it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. A consistent fitness routine grounds you, giving you the energy and resilience to tackle every challenge head-on.

When you prioritize fitness, it becomes more than just another task on your list. It becomes part of your identity, an investment in both your current energy levels and your future self. And in a world where every day feels like an uphill sprint, having that source of resilience? Priceless.

Approach #1: Schedule Fitness Like a CEO

Your calendar reflects your priorities. Treat exercise as if it’s a meeting with your most important client: your health. Block off specific times for exercise in your calendar, just like any high-stakes meeting.

Key Tactics:

• Time Blocking: Set a recurring slot (e.g., every weekday at 7:30 AM). No excuses, no canceling.
• Micro Workouts: Can’t fit in an hour? Try a 10- or 15-minute high-intensity session. It adds up.
• Standing Meetings: Find ways to move during low-key meetings—walking or standing phone calls, anyone?

Approach #2: Make Fitness Fit Your Lifestyle

Instead of reshaping your life to accommodate fitness, integrate fitness into your existing schedule. The goal? Seamlessly blend movement into your day so it doesn’t feel like a burden.

Key Tactics:

• Workday Workouts: Try 5-minute breaks to do push-ups, squats, or planks. Small steps add up.
• Commute Smarter: If you’re not on a bus to the mines, could you walk or bike to work? Maybe park further away from your work entrance.
• Evening Stretching Routines: Swap 20 minutes of screen time with stretching before bed. It’s a low-key but valuable end to the day. NGM employees also have access to Hinge Health. Hinge Health offers personalized exercise therapy plans developed by licensed physical therapists, targeting specific pain areas to promote strength, flexibility, and mobility

Approach #3: Redefine Exercise Success

We often picture fitness as a one-hour gym session, sweat dripping, muscle-burning. But exercise doesn’t have to be that intense every time. When life gets busy, redefine what exercise looks like to maintain your momentum without the pressure.

Key Tactics:

• Embrace Variety: Allow flexibility—yoga, bodyweight workouts, a brisk walk or an at home workout using our Remote Training option. It all counts.
• Aim for Consistency, Not Perfection: Focus on showing up. Some days, you’ll go all-out; others, it’s a walk around the block. Both are victories.
• Celebrate Wins: Track your activity in a way that makes you proud of every move, whether it’s a walk, stretch, or lifting session.

Approach #4: Leverage Accountability and Support

You’re already a leader, someone who manages and motivates teams. Imagine what a little external accountability can do for your fitness goals. If making time feels tough, bring in reinforcements.

Key Tactics:

• Hire a Trainer: Just like you’d hire a coach for business, invest in one for fitness. Trainers offer accountability, expertise, and a tailored approach to keep you moving forward.
• Join a Class or Group: A regular commitment to a group makes it easier to show up consistently.
• Track and Share Goals: Sharing your goals with a partner, friend, or family member keeps you accountable. Plus, it can spark positive conversations and a shared sense of accomplishment.

Reframe Your Perspective on Fitness

Ultimately, prioritizing fitness is about shifting your mindset. It’s no longer “just another task” but an integral part of your well-being. Let it be your power source, your daily boost. Instead of “fitting it in,” think of fitness as the thing that makes everything else possible.

So, the next time you’re tempted to skip a workout because “you don’t have time,” remember: the real investment isn’t in the time; it’s in you.