How to Squeeze in 30 Minutes of Exercise Every Day

What's the number one reason most people give up on an exercise program? There's not enough time in the day to work in that workout.For anyone who's time-challenged - and that's most of us - finding ways to squeeze in 30 minutes of daily exercise is doable, provided the 30 minutes are broken down into 3 10-minute segments. Here's how to work in three mini workouts throughout the day.

Things You'll Need

• 10 minutes, three times a day
• Good walking shoes
• Nice to have (but not necessary):
• jump rope
• mini trampoline (about $30 at sporting goods stores or discount retailers like WalMart)
• 5 to 8 lb free weights
• portable music player
• bicycle

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Instructions

How to Squeeze in 30 Minutes of Exercise Every Day

• 1

  Get up 15 minutes earlier. Keep a pair of running shoes, socks and shorts right by your bed, get dressed first thing and go for a fast ten minute walk around the block. If you have a bike, take a bike ride for the same amount of time.If it's too cold, too hot, too rainy or too whatever to go outside, put on your portable music player and jump rope, jump on a mini trampoline or do 10 minutes of an exercise video instead.

• 2

  Instead of a 10 a.m. or 3 p.m. coffee or candy break, take an exercise break. Race walk around your office block, go up and down the stairs or jump rope in an empty office for ten minutes.

• 3

  Enlist a co-worker as workout buddy and visit the company gym if you have one, for a 10-minute brisk walk on the treadmill or spin on the exercise bike.

• 4

  When you get home from work, take a 10 minute exercise break instead of flopping on the couch. Or stop at the mall, if there' s one on your way home, and take a speedy 10-minute walk through (don't forget to walk up and down the escalator). You'll be able to browse the sales and people-watch at the same time.

• 5

  Walk the dog for ten minutes after dinner. Or jog on the trampoline for 10 minutes while you're watching the news. Or do ten more minutes of an exercise video. Or do ten minutes of fast and furious housework (empty trash, pull weeds, change sheets, sweep the floor, water the plants). You'll be amazed how much you can accomplish in short bursts of activity.