[lemonberry]

A very underrated solution. In my experience, I was a personal trainer for a year or so, people percieve exercise as a workout and in a very binary form. They can either get their whole workout in, or nothing. By reframing it as physical activity and accumulating that activity over the course of the day you can stay relatively fit.

[dashundchen]

In my experience, the best way to integrate fitness in everyday life is to live in the city.

I live in the inner part of a mid sized Great Lakes city. Commute and lunch are short walks, groceries and shopping is a bike ride, friends and social groups are with in biking distance and the city's cultural and social activity is centered in walkable neighborhoods. Bike culture offers rides across any social group you can think of. Off road bike paths connect the country in the warmer months.

Even on a regular work day I'll walk or ride in the evening to wind down. In a city there are many routes and parks to wander through, the landscape and texture constantly changing thought the year. The routine keeps you going even through the snowy winter months. You can walk or ride as fast or slow as you want to adjust the "workout".

In contrast a lot of my exurban coworkers spend an hour plus per day commuting to work in the car, and live in isolated developments that are unwalkable past the arterial they are on. Exercise becomes a drive to a gym or park for and is easy to forgo in a busy day.

I recognize not every city is affordable enough to live and work in a short distance, but I'd trade any amount of yard space for an accessible city.

[burfog]

Don't forget mowing the lawn, clearing snow, raking leaves, and hoeing weeds. Even without manual tools, you get a workout.

[reitanqild]

I have one taekwondo guy at the office who uses his standing desk to do some real stretching. He can stand programming for quite a while with one foot on the table :-)

[DoreenMichele]

Eons ago, when I had a rotary phone and pet dinosaur, I brushed teeth like that.

It didn't involve stretching. It was just the most comfortable position for brushing teeth for a tall (and very limber) person where the sink was too short. I tried to avoid it and found I was very uncomfortable trying to stand "normally" to brush teeth.

So he may not be stretching at all. He might just be making himself comfy.

[reitanqild]

He has openly admitted that he did it because of taekwondo when I asked:-)

Also, if anyone find the stretches he does comfy I don't know what.

[Moodles]

Why can't people just make an hour before or after work to go to the gym or go for a run?

[lemonberry]

I think that varies from person to person. Some people seem to be able to decide they're going to get into a routine and they just do it. Others seem to really struggle. Plus, starting a routine seems to be much more difficult than breaking it.

But the all-or-nothing attitude I mentioned above is problematic if someone has in mind that they're going to work out for an hour in the morning. For one reason or another they suddenly only have 45, 30 or 15 minutes for a workout and they write it off because they don't have time for their "workout" rather than using the time they do have.

But even if one only has 5 minutes you can make something with that time, whether it's a set of pushups, squats, mobility work or a quick jog. Then later in the day if one finds another window do something then.

IMO the best approach is try to move 5 minutes a day, everyday, regardless of the form it takes. Build the habit that you do something every day. Then build from there. Modulate intensity and movements. If you can do more do it, if you can't, don't stress over it.

[aesclepius]

You have to factor into time spent preparing, and transit. I'll give you an example. I like Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and there are 1.5 hour classes in the afternoon/evening. However, it's a 20 minute commute either way, and I usually get 5 minutes early an leave 10 minute after it's finished for stretching and cool-down/shower. So my 1.5 hour class turns into a 2.5-3 hour block every time I'd like to go to a class. Similarly an hour run before/after doesn't include transit, shower, etc., making it more of a 2 hour commitment.

[Moodles]

Okay, then you can exercise without Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.

[mikestew]

Because of all the other things they have to “make an hour” for. Pick up kids, make supper, meh, I don’t to make a whole list, use your imagination. Personally, yes, that hour with a musical instrument in my hands is sacred, and dogs need walked for an hour whether I want to or not. But I’m not most people.

Besides, they owe neither you or me an explanation. Our hypothetical people said that’s not a workable option, what else ya got?

[Moodles]

I thought my comment might be a bit divisive :-)

I bet almost everyone can find at least half an hour for their health if they wanted to. Very few people actually have a "I don't have time!" excuse. These people better be spending every single minute of their existence at work, doing something essential with their family, or sleeping then. Even then, could they seriously not function with half an hour less sleep? Can they not do something physical with their kids like sport or even just a walk? Maybe you and some others actually don't have time, but most do. Even Obama found time for hourly golf and reading pretty much every day. I really dislike the victimhood/making excuses mentality. I don't think it's a good thing for most people. But yes, I understand that for a very small portion of people, they really don't have time.

Also, walking your dogs could be a form of exercise.

[watwut]

Try rigorous an hour long focused exrcise while caring about toddler whole day. Super frustrating. Or kid that you need to supervise after work and then not leave alone while the kid sleeps.

Exercise can be done - but only if you adopt the "5 minutes are actually fine if there is interruptiom" mindset parent recommends. And only if you did not exercised for long, because otherwise those small chunks are frustrating and make you hate them (as you are painfully aware of difference between old one and this one).

[telchar]

To be fair I see plenty of people about running with their dog and/or a baby or toddler in a stroller around here. A little creativity goes a long way if one is motivated.

[Reedx]

They usually can - if they have time for Netflix/etc - it's just not a high enough priority.

You don't even need an hour. 30 minutes does wonders. It doesn't need to include a trip to the gym either. Pushups, situps, squats and such go a long way.

[gadders]

I go at lunchtime. Stick a 90 minute meeting in your own calendar 3-4 times a week. Works for me 90% of the time.

[martin-adams]

Working hours and family commitments to name one.

[fjsolwmv]

You can exercise with family

[wazoox]

Well, some people do, for instance me :)