This should be a no-brainer but I am shocked at how many people I knew while in law school or in the legal community today who are “too busy” to exercise regularly. The reality is, you are too busy not to exercise regularly.  In my own experience, I am always pleasantly surprised with how my mood seems to suddenly change after a workout.  In addition to the significant health benefits like reduction of risk of heart disease, blood pressure, and depression, regular exercise (4-5 times per week) stimulates chemicals in your brain making you feel more relaxed, more confident, and generally happier. Regular exercise also increases your lung capacity, and generates a more efficient cardiovascular system.  This in turn helps improve your overall energy level so you can accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively.

The benefits of regular exercise greatly outweigh any excuse you could have not make it a regular part of your life.  I hate to sound preachy but I am so confident and passionate about this and it irks me when I see people my age (30) dealing with high blood pressure, depression, and general poor health and then tell me they are too busy to exercise.  That makes no sense given the serious benefits it brings.  You have to make it a priority.

This does not mean you need to pay $250 per month to become a CrossFit expert, drink three protein shakes a day, or chalk up with 400 power snatches for time and hurt yourself.  Just make exercise a regular part of your weekly routine.  Write it down in your calendar: “Monday through Thursday – gym before/after work/at lunch.”  Successful people make and keep healthy habits.  Regular exercise is one of those key habits that set them apart from the less successful.  This is why they are generally more positive, more confident, and more physically healthy than others.

While we’re on the topic, group style workouts (CrossFit, Orange Theory, F45, and countless others) are becoming so popular these days BECAUSE THEY WORK.  These types of classes hold you accountable and make it more likely that you will get your butt to the gym after work than if you force yourself to go to 24-Hour Fitness by yourself and wait 15 minutes to use one of two squat racks in the entire gym.  This concept creates fitness community – people who will hold you accountable to maintain a regular exercise schedule.

Whether you try CrossFit, run three or four times per week, or do Insanity workouts at home, make exercise a regular part of your life for the rest of your life.  You are too busy not to.