Lunch?  Workout?  What if you stop choosing, and do both.  Deciding to use my time wisely and begin a 30 minute lunch break workout has been the best!  Studies have definitely not lied when they said a lunch hour workout leads to increased productivity and more energy for the rest of the day.

Here are my five tips for making your lunch break workout as effective as possible:

Gym bag ready

Make sure to pack your gym back every night to avoid running late the next morning and having to miss your lunch break workout.  I go as far as adding my scoop of protein in shaker, the night before as well, so that in the morning I just have to grab my gym bag and go.

Have a routine

Know what your goals are and have a plan.  You don't want to get to the gym and then start thinking about what to work on that specific day.  Know what body parts you will be exercising and what routine you will be following to take advantage of your limited time.  If you need some ideas, here are some effective exercises to do at the gym or home, to help shed fat while increasing lean muscle.

Be creative with rest

Instead of wasting your time taking breaks between sets, practice "active breaks".  A smart alternative to sitting on the bench for up to a minute is to take that time to do jumping jacks, crunches, burpees, planks, or running planks.  Anything that will keep you active, is a good option. The secret to a good lunch time workout is making it a 30 minute intense workout.

Pack your own lunch

Having to pay way too much for a salad (more than once a week) isn't just sad for your wallet but it's also a waste of time when you're trying to take advantage of every minute.  I prefer to bring my own lunch, which is usually whatever I had for dinner the night before.  And I also have my protein shake on my way back to the office.

Shorten your shower... or don't shower at all

I know what you're probably thinking but don't make that face! Stock your gym back with face wipes, body wipes and deodorant and you won't need to shower. If you must, then quickly jump in the shower and always carry a change of underwear. As a Mom of Two Under Two, I feel like I have mastered getting ready in a flash while managing to look presentable.

Ready to jump into your midday workout?  What tips would you add to this list?

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