Page 53 - NGA NATURALmag 2025 Spring/Summer

Spring - Summer 2025
Making Time for Cardio with a a a Busy Schedule
BY LAMEESA MUHAMMAD PHD FRAGMENTALIST@YAHOO COM
The daily demands of of of of life often finds a a a a a a a a a way to interfere with the level of discipline and consistency found in in in the training regimen
for many many fit enthusiasts For many many of us us our dedication to the development of a a sched-
•Get up early early and do it it it If you can make it it it to the the the gym early early in in in in in the the the the mornings or or or even get it it it in in in in in from the the the the comfort of your own home starting earlier in in in in in the the the day guarantees that you you got it it done done and it it was done done early It is often difficult to to add cardio in at at at the end of of a a a a a a a a a a a a a a long long day day Who really wants to to stay up later after
uled routine to focus on the physical fitness of our our bodies holds a a high place in our our lives one that we we often will do whatever we we can to protect from being tampered with However sometimes other commitments occasionally interfere with our workout schedule and get- ting cardio in in which is is a a a part of it is is some- times the first thing we tend to neglect I I found myself in such a a a a a a place when I I got promoted My work demands became greater with with this change of position in my career I I had never been faced with with such a a a a a a a a a a a heavy work load and although I I could make it to the the gym at at my my scheduled sessions on on most days or or complete the the workout that my my my trainer assigned in in in in in in my my my home gym getting cardio in in in in in in an additional feat was something that I found myself having to to become more creative about in in in in in order to to to achieve The following are a a a a a a few things that I did to to help me me solve this problem:
• Invest in in in cardio equipment for home if you are able Instead of having to to to go to to to the gym to to to get it in in in which you you may not always have have time for if you you carry a a a a a a a a a a a a a a heavy workload or or or or or have have a a a a a a a a a a a a a a lot of family or or or or or other responsibilities getting on on that treadmill or or or or or elliptical from the the comfort of your your home gives you you you no excuses making it it easier to get that time in in despite your your other obligations a a a a a a a a long long day? I sure don’t So get it in early • Do more on on your your light days days Increase your your cardio workout on on on days days where you you you may have fewer obliga- tions Take advantage of the extra time especially when you have a a a a a a a a a a tight schedule that will make getting it in more difficult • Be creative and include High-Intensity Interval Training Exercises Try exercises like squat jumps jumping rope mountain climbers and burpees as a a a a a a a a a way to get get get that cardio cardio in in in in in Not only will will you you be be getting in in in in cardio cardio but you you will will also get get get a a a a a a a a a high impact workout in in at the same time • Take Take walks during during breaks that you may have during during the day Take Take advantage of every free minute that you you you have to to do something to to increase your heart rate Even if you you you can’t get outside walk in in in in in place or engage in in in in a a a a a a a a a high impact exercise during what little time you you have in in in in between your busy schedule Every minute counts Getting cardiovascular exercise in in on a a a a a a busy sched-
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is is important and sometimes difficult The busi- ness ness of our our schedules can have a a a a a a a a a a huge impact on our our physical fitness which is detrimental and and will not be be a a a a a a a a a a a good look literally So be be purposeful and and and intentional on on getting that cardio in in in despite the demands life throws at us n About the Author: Lameesa W Muhammad PhD is a a a a a a a a certified NGA NGA Personal Trainer NGA NGA PRO Figure Master competitor School Administrator at at at at at Cincinnati Cincinnati Public Schools and an an an Assistant Adjunct Professor at at at at at the University of of Cincinnati Cincinnati NGA NATURALmag
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