How-to: get fit in 20 minutes a day

23 Jan 2012 05:00 AM | Posted by bh'sLeanne

Being short on time is one of the most common reasons people avoid exercise. Well we’re here to burst your excuse bubble and get you fit and toned in a jiffy! All you need to do is set your alarm twenty minutes earlier each day – yes, that’s all it takes! Just twenty minutes of physical activity each day will promote weight loss, increase energy, improve muscle tone – and did we mention banish love handles? Exercise has a LOT of benefits. So it’s time to ditch the excuses and get real with yourself. The new you starts today. Here’s how to get fit, fast!

Throw out your preconceptions
Exercise doesn’t have to be all about boring, painful drill sessions. Wake up twenty minutes earlier and take your dog for a walk, or kick a soccer ball around for twenty minutes with your kids after school – there are lots of fun ways to get fit and active, so think outside the square!

Throw in some strength training
It’s a huge misconception that you need to focus exclusively on cardiovascular exercise to lose love handles – mix it up and add in some strength training. Jog for just ten minutes then stop and do strength exercises such as lunges, squats and dips for the remaining ten minutes. Combining strength training with aerobic exercise is the perfect way to speed up the time it takes to get fit, making it ideal for the time poor.

Do it at home
So you’ve got twenty minutes to spare but you can’t leave the house because of the kids? No problem! Turn your home into a mini gym – cost free! Lift bottles filled with water or use cans of baked beans as weights and do sit-ups every time the ads come on TV. You don’t need a lot of space or money to get fit – just twenty minutes!

What quick fitness tips have your tried? Did you get results?



  
        
    
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Member Comments (70)

Posted by: Michelle Sweetheart (United States)

I love the tips! Wish me luck.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 5:08am)

Posted by: Tinaaa (Australia)

definately exercise with music, it really pushes you and makes the workout so much better!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 5:15am)

Posted by: katshepsutt (Australia)

Just do a bit more exercise than you are currently doing - best to make a small adjustment, but do it every day, make it your lifestyle rather than a temporary "get fit regime". I agree with Tinaaa - music helps a lot :-)

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 5:40am)

Posted by: Princess Perfume (Australia)

I find it so hard to get the momentum up to do anything but these tips make it sound easy. I like the ad break exercise tip especially - my kind of exercise!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 7:52am)

Posted by: Princess Fiona1 (Member since 2007, Australia)

Great tips BH!!! I'm running around 5km a few times a week, and also going to the gym approx twice a week (sometimes only one!!!) as I feel that the weight lifting really makes a difference in toning my body. What has really made a difference to me lately, is that I started taking an ipod for a run, some upbeat music keeps me motivated and going for longer, and also the run program on the ipod, makes you want to try to out-perform your previous runs..

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 9:20am)

Posted by: softness (Member since 2007, Australia)

I very much follow a lot of the tips in this article! I just incorporate 'exercise' into my life and count that as my fitness 'routine'. It makes it much more enjoyable, real and attainable and although I have got a real pair of dumbells I believe a pair of water-filled plastic bottles would be fantastic to use too! Loving this article - it's very me. And yes - I do seem to attained results.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 9:28am)

Posted by: PrettyPrincess (Member since 2008, Australia)

iPod have some good excersise lips, there is a running one, you sprint then walk then sprint etc.
BH any energy boosting tips?
We are walking 5kms twice a week ATM, want to add a 5km run into the mix too, it's just been too hot here.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 10:08am)

Posted by: Evanescencessy (Australia)

I find listening to my trance music always helps me pass my 30mins on the treadmill faster and keeps me going.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 10:09am)

Posted by: Platinum Ms (Australia)

Music and a goal is my motivationl, its been hit and miss for me at the moment not in a good routine

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 10:23am)

Posted by: Discomilk (Australia)

Exercise bike in front of the t.v :) Also, i like to go for a walk in the afternoon when its nice and cool. Interval walking/jogging is great at getting the heart rate up, I do that often as a warm up before running.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 10:54am)

Posted by: Ljene (Australia)

I find incidental exercise is the best. Park a kilometre away from the destination. I also use my full shopping bags as impromptu weights. I've also been known to do some lunges and a few belly twists whilst vacuuming or washing up.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 11:07am)

Posted by: MissChriss (Australia)

Great tips there.. I really need to get back on the exercise bandwagon.. Just need to get some motivation ha ha

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 11:11am)

Posted by: Kyralovesu (Australia)

my boyfriend brought a punching bag,and its honestly the best fun I've had exercising in ages! You really don't need long on it and i make up my own little workout with a skipping rope and strength exercises in between, you feel SO good after it!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 11:30am)

Posted by: Allinah (Australia)

you are right ! xercise does not ne to be boring. I bought a wii fit and wii sports last christmas . great source of sun an you can play with other member of your family or friends! best buy ever!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 11:52am)

Posted by: Green_Jaguar (Australia)

Inspiring blog with some practical tips. Thanks!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 12:14pm)

Posted by: Nidhi1 (Australia)

Recently me and my hubby has started walking around 4 km 3-4 times a week and it really does make us feel good, we both talk to each other, have fun and time passes quickly... :)

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 12:14pm)

Posted by: stefaneigh (Member since 2007, Australia)

I agree it doesn't need to be all cardio, I go to a gym and do a mix of cardio and strength and it has made me heaps fitter and more toned and I feel good. I also go walking/running with my bf 2-3 times a week which is good exercise and also pretty social and fun ;) My bf often doesn't have much time everyday for exercise but i got him onto skipping! Skippign is a great exercise that burns fast and can tone your legs etc too! He has noticed the difference after just a few weeks at less than 10 min a day!!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:13pm)

Posted by: Vmwhitak (Australia)

I try to get as much 'incidental' exercise as possible. I get off the train one stop early and walk the rest of the way to work. I always take the stairs rather than the lift. And when I'm out shopping I walk to the car to drop off my purchases in between shops. I also do sit ups and use hand weights at home in front of the telly at night.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:20pm)

Posted by: Claudia855 (Australia)

Great Advice. Thanks!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:21pm)

Posted by: Rabi (Australia)

i liked the do it at home tips. i think thats the best way to do when the kids r at home and i cant go out

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:24pm)

Posted by: beautyqueen95♥ (Australia)

dance like crazy to video hits on a saturday morning (:

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:43pm)

Posted by: Britty1 (Australia)

im currently reading a book by womens health mag about the 15 min workouts....i'll give you feed back shortly!

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:43pm)

Posted by: Emzaau (Australia)

Jillian Michaels and Jackie Warner have good exercise DVDs for under 30 minutes. I sometimes make it an even more 'express' workout.

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 1:57pm)

Posted by: Neilrawson (Australia)

I walk where I can instead of driving. Walking is my main excerse, walk my son and dogs to the park and soccer, window shopping, it's amazing how many laps you do when you are having fun,
swimming is another thing I like to do occasionally, take my son to the indoor pool or to the beach.
###Sandra

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 2:51pm)

Posted by: greywolf (Australia)

I do each week - Cardo, resistance and stretching. I work out 4 to 5 times a week between 40mins to 1hrs

Posted on: January 23, 2012 (Jan 23, 2012 2:57pm)