The starting point of your fitness journey is difficult.

Most days I feel more like curling back into a quilt and lazing my free day away in bed than going to the gym because I spend a lot of sleepless nights as a student. As a student, a professional, a parent or an entrepreneur, finding time to workout can be downright terrifying if you are overwhelmed with work. Fitness is not a professional career for most people. You aspire and dream to have that perfect look, but the commitment that goes into it seems daunting given how busy you are. So here are some unique ways to stay fit on the go for busy people because being healthy is important. These recommendations can be used as inspiration for kickstarting your fitness journey.

Victory Dancing to Life’s Small Successes

Happiness also lies in the small moments.

Sometimes you are so busy chasing those big achievements, be it a 4.0 GPA or that great promotion at work that you fail to celebrate the little victories of life. A few years ago I took part in a drama organized by my university that required daily practice sessions. The pinnacle of the drama was the final day of the performance. But what I remember today are those daily practice sessions. At the end of each session, we would stop everything, pump up the music and just dance away to some musical number. A small victory today brings us closer to the big victory in the future. Whether it is a classical piece, a Bollywood number, a Jason Derulo song, a Taylor Swift album, a Ludovico Einaudi piano work, a rock & roll anthem, a Korean pop performance that makes you feel high… turn the music loud and sway, grind, whirl, spin and hip-hop dance away. Five minutes of hardcore dancing to a good song that brings you pure joy is not a hard task.

Your life is a beautiful drama. So victory dance to life’s small successes.

Fast Walking in Your Coordinated/ Uncoordinated Kitchen

Cooking does not always have to be a chore.

I am a novice at cooking. I do not owe fancy kitchen appliances and my kitchen is not spatially designed to ensure maximum efficiency within a minimum amount of time. But I am enthusiastic about trying out new recipes that are nutritious and healthy. For most people cooking is another chore they need to get out of the way after a hard day’s work. This is why some people opt for takeout and never cook. But cooking can be fun when you integrate the element of fast walking into it. You can take the ingredients out of the fridge, walk fast to where the cutting board is and prep stuff. If you are a parent, you can taste the flavor of the pot on the stove and then go and check on your baby quickly. You can transfer ingredients from the blender to the stove. There are many ways in which you can stay active in the kitchen. I do not recommend running because the kitchen can be a hazardous place. You should get fit in a safe manner.

Make sure to have a pedometer or a step counter on you so that you can count your steps. At the end of meal preparation, you will be amazed at how many steps you have taken in your coordinated or uncoordinated kitchen while fast walking!

Sweating Your Way Uphill while Cycling

Cycling up hills can be a fun way to get fit.

I live in a hilly region and own a bicycle. When I have time I love to cycle. It is not always about covering the most amount of distance within a few minutes that ensure that the adrenaline kicks in, and I feel healthy and fit. Sometimes when I am on flat ground I am not perspiring at all. But when I go off the main roads and into hilly terrain I start sweating quickly.

So if you are busy, and want to do a workout that is short and fun, cycling is a great way of exercising. The wind on your face, nature whirling past you as you pedal faster, and the burn you feel as you climb the incline are all amazing moments of getting fit through cycling. If you have sensitive knees you should be more careful when you are going up inclines. However, if you make it to the top, the view can be breathtaking. You can get fit and also feed your senses.

Perspire up the climb and admire the view at the top. It is a huge boost to your morale and motivation.

Yoga for the Mind after a Long Day of Work

Stretching and meditating are forms of self-love.

Most people hear of yoga and remember complicated yoga poses. While it looks aesthetically beautiful, you don't necessarily want to try it. However, yoga can be a form of healing and rejuvenation. I got into yoga because my shoulders and wrists started to hurt from sitting in front of the laptop and typing for too long. After a couple of weeks of yoga, my pain got better and I started to notice other benefits of yoga. If you do yoga in the right manner it will help your concentration and productivity. You will feel happier while doing your day-to-day activities. Longer yoga sessions are recommended for weight loss. But integrating a yoga session especially after a long day of work is one of the best ways to recharge and get a good night's sleep.

You will wake up feeling refreshed and full of energy.

A Few Pointers to Remember

• It is important that you use the correct equipment for exercise. The right shoes go a long way in getting fit fast.
• It is important to stay hydrated. If you are exercising outside, make sure to take water with you.
• Make sure you stretch and warm-up before you start a dancing session, a cycling route, a yoga session or fast walking.
• It is okay to take self-care days when you pamper yourself. If you feel awful it is okay to skip practice that day.
• Use your creative mind to come up with ways to integrate fitness into your life. It can be a walk to a deli nearby to grab food during the lunch break or a quick power yoga session before the day starts.
• Whatever you do to stay fit with a busy schedule should be fun. If it is not fun, you won’t stick to it in the long term.