By Jacquelyn Cole

Between work, family commitments and chores, who has time to exercise? While it might seem impossible to fit exercise into a hectic schedule, it’s actually easy to get some exercise every day, no matter how busy you are. Here are five ways to exercise when you don’t have any spare time.

1. Follow the “Five Minute” Rule

Try incorporating five minutes of exercise into your daily routine whenever possible. For example, take five minutes to walk up the stairs instead of using the elevator. When you go to work or to the mall, park your car at the far end of the parking lot, and walk the extra distance to get to the building’s entrance. If you commute by bus, get off the bus a block or two before your regular stop. Although doing five minutes of exercise here and there might not seem significant, it will make a difference. Any exercise is better than none.

2. Use Family Time for Active Pursuits

You enjoy spending time with your children, and you don’t want to give up your quality time with them. Why not use that quality time to get moving? Play catch or go jogging with your kids. Or, go for a hike in the woods or a swim at the local pool. Exercising together is a great way to have fun and teach your children healthy habits.

3. Do Chores

For most people, chores aren’t fun, but the good news is that doing chores for even a short period of time can burn calories. Take twenty minutes to do an active chore such as vacuuming or mowing the lawn. Not only will you gain the satisfaction of having crossed an item off your “to-do” list, but you’ll have worked up a sweat as well.

4. Use an Exercise Ball at Your Desk

Working in an office doesn’t have to lead to a sedentary lifestyle. You can get moving while you work by trading your desk chair for an exercise ball. Also known as fitness balls or Swiss balls, exercise balls are inexpensive and easy to use. You can learn how to use your exercise ball by checking out one of the many websites that describe exercise ball routines for people sitting at desks. If you aren’t ready to completely give up your desk chair, try using the exercise ball for just half an hour every day.

5. Exercise While Watching Television

When you get home after a long day of work, you just want to relax in front of the television. But, you feel guilty about being a couch potato. Luckily, you don’t have to choose between exercise and television. Take twenty minutes to do yoga, Pilates, or another exercise routine while watching your favorite show. If you don’t know any exercise routines, you can run in place or jump rope.

These five tips will help you to turn sedentary occasions such as work, television time, and family time into opportunities for exercise. Rather than trying to carve out a special time for exercise, you can easily incorporate exercise into other parts of your life.