Running my own business often requires me to make tough choices about which tasks get the highest priority. Unfortunately, this often results in my health and fitness getting bumped further and further down the list when something urgent rolls in. (and everything business-related feels URGENT, right?) Being active and fit is not only great for your mental health, happiness, and overall well-being, but in turn benefits your business. This is why I'm so pleased to have Jennifer McGregor on the blog today.

She's sharing 5 tips for busy entrepreneurs like you and me to manage our time and fit great workouts in on a regular basis. #4 is the tip that's helped me the most. At the beginning of each week I try to schedule in which CrossFit classes I'll attend.

Please welcome Jennifer and read on for her super helpful tips.

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Every woman wants to be healthy and fit, but finding the time to work out every day is easier said than done when you’re a busy, working professional. It’s a gripe shared by many working women these days who recognize the value of exercise in their daily routines yet can’t seem to squeeze out a precious extra hour or two each day. We can’t put more hours in a day, but we can find creative ways to burn some calories and fit in a workout despite a busy schedule.

Here are 5 exercise tips for the busy, working woman:

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1 | Embrace Quick, Do-Anywhere Workouts

You’re not alone in your quest for better physical fitness while having absolutely zero hours to hit the gym. Some fitness pros have created quick, no-equipment workouts that you can do pretty much anywhere and anytime you have a few spare minutes. For instance, this workout by Jessica Padykula from SheKnows takes just 20 minutes and hits all the key areas using your body weight. If you do it right, you should finish fatigued.

2 | Choose Workouts Wisely for Maximum Benefit

Choosing moves that burn the most calories and tone your target areas will help you focus your efforts. Activities like swimming, squash, cycling, and running are all excellent ways to strengthen and tone muscles, boost overall energy, and get a cardiovascular workout all at once. Plus, they’re most effective when done with an exercise buddy who can be there to cheer you on!

3 | Get Your Workout in Early in the Morning

Yes, that means getting out of bed a half hour to an hour earlier, and it will probably be brutal for the first few days (or weeks). But the rewards are well worth it. After you get your heart rate up and your blood flowing, you’ll be wide awake and ready to take charge of your day. There are few other opportunities throughout the day to steal an extra hour, so take advantage of the wee hours of the morning before your day kicks into gear.

4 | Schedule Your Workouts Like You Schedule Meetings and Appointments

Get your planner out or open your calendar app and take a look at your schedule for the week ahead. If you have an open evening, schedule in time to hit a local yoga class that day. On days when you don’t have early-morning meetings at the office, plan to hit the gym before work. When you schedule in time for taking care of your health just as you do your other obligations, you’ll find that it’s easier to find the time—because you’ve already set it aside.

5 | Work Out at Home

For some busy working women, packing up your gym bag and driving to the gym is a major deterrent. After all, that adds more time to the overall obligation of getting your workout in. If this is a challenge for you, skip the gym and create a space in your home that you can use to work out whenever it’s convenient. Quick exercises like squats, push-ups, and tricep dips are easy to perform at home – no instructor needed. If you have a dog, take a morning or evening walk around the neighborhood or play a game of chase in the backyard. Exercising with your dog is a great option because it can be done right at home any time and feels more like playing than a workout!

Being a busy woman—mom, wife, daughter, employee, or whatever roles you’re juggling—doesn’t have to mean you can’t make your health and fitness a priority too. Use these tips to make a regular workout part of your healthy lifestyle, no matter how crazy your schedule.

About Jennifer

Jennifer McGregor has wanted to be a doctor since she was little. Now, as a pre-med student, she’s well on her way to achieving that dream. She helped create PublicHealthLibrary.org with a friend as part of a class project. With it, she hopes to provide access to trustworthy health and medical resources. When Jennifer isn’t working on the site, you can usually find her hitting the books in the campus library or spending some downtime with her dog at the local park.