Since I know that fitting in all of my training and workouts is going to be a challenge this summer, I’ve decided to start a new little mini-series called ‘Fitting in Fitness’ in which I will tell you about creative ways I fit in my workouts even when I was busy or didn’t want to.
Fitting in Fitness Tip #1: Combine it with your Errands
Yesterday was my “day off” and I had this list of things to do:
- Go to bank 1 and deposit cheque
- Go to bank 2 and withdraw ‘allowance’ (I’m on a new budget. Will share more on Monday.)
- Go to Walmart.
- Go to Grocery Store.
- Run 5-miles.
Due to a late Skype date with Eric (yay!) I was NOT in the mood to get up and run when my alarm went off at 5:45 AM yesterday morning, so I didn’t. Instead I put it off all morning until it felt like I had a million things to do and the last thing I wanted to do was run. So, I decided to be creative and do all of the above things WHILE on my run!
I loaded up my camelbak with the stuff I needed and was off!
I like to think that Webster was thinking something along the lines of, “what the heck are you doing mom” when I took this picture! Hehe
Honestly, this was the best idea EVER! I don’t know why I don’t do it more often. It broke up the run nicely. 1.75 miles = bank 1. 0.25 miles = bank 2. 1.25 miles = Walmart etc. Plus since it was in the afternoon and the sun was shining and it was pretty hot, about 21 C (70 F). It was nice to escape into air-conditioned buildings every few miles 
Hehe!
Unfortunately I underestimated how big my camelbak was and had to fix my grocery bag ONTO it for the last 0.5 miles home.
I inhaled that chocolate milk while rolling out my calves with a tennis ball after 
I knew I didn’t want to get too many groceries because I’m going camping this weekend. So I just needed a couple essential things to get me through the next couple of days!
I then made a massive salad with the last of my Farmer’s Market veggies. Farmer’s Market veggies are soooo much better than veggies in the store, btw. I’m usually not a fan of tomatoes and I LOVE the big juicy ones at the Farmer’s Market.
I then enjoyed my late lunch on the patio. I love eating outside!
So, there you have it, combining a fitness activity with your errands is one way to fit fitness into your day!
Don’t run? You can bike your errands, walk them, rollerblade them, whatever. Anything that will get your heart rate up and isn’t driving!
Do you combine errands with fitness? And who else enjoys eating outside? Eric and I ate outside constantly in Europe and I lovveeed it!
{ 36 comments… read them below or add one }
Definitely fit in errands on your run! I’ve done that before; it can be a pain if you need to pick up stuff, though (I don’t actually own a backpack and don’t like to be weighed down at all when I run; what a noob). My next run will be to my local library – have been wanting to check it out but just haven’t got around to it!
Great idea to combine the errands with a run. I haven’t tried that yet, but will keep it in mind. I love eating outside too…as long as the bugs aren’t bad. We’ve occasionally eaten at some restaurants we don’t ever go to otherwise simply because they have outdoor seating on a nice day!
Your lunch looked great!
Eating outside is always fun — especially when it’s an early dinner and there is just a slight breeze and the sky is a nice shade of raspberry. Lovely.
We live 0.9 from Target and the grocery store and last week we had a few errands to run, so I ran to Target and Matt drove so he could carry the bags home. Im always so worried though if I have to go by myself I will mess things up in a backpack.
I have never combined fitness with errands unfortunately. I live so far out in the suburbs, there isn’t much I could do w/in a reasonable distance! There is a Walgreens (drug store) that I could walk/run to if I needed to, though, so that is nice!
That salad looks delish!
I did this while I was at school this year with no car and I loved it! It broke up the run and gave me a real purpose for running! Glad you fit it all in : )
Oh I love this idea! You just make it work, no matter what! I think I need to grab that mentality for myself
That sounds like a great plan!!! And your salad looks so yummy!
Dining al fresco is definitelyone of my most favorite activities in the spring, summer, and fall. One of my friends and I have a spot we love to go downtown–a few minute drive for me, a block walk for him–it has the most adorable back patio with umbrellas on the tables. Or even a picnic blanket on the lawn somewhere.
Great way to run errands. If I only need a few things at the store I sometimes walk or on occassion I walk the dog to the library to return some books.
I love to eat outside! It is raining and storming like crazy where I am, so that will have to wait a few days!
Wow, I’m impressed! I usually run on a treadmill, but it would be great to get outside every once in a while (and check some things off of my to-do list at the same time!)
You’re too cute!
I love eating outside too
Makes the dinner more enjoyable (except for the whole havving to carry dinner in/out of the kitchen part of it). Unfortunately where I live everything is way to spread out for me to run/bike to do my errands but that’s ok!
Love this! I’m totally going to start biking to do my errands now it’s nice outside. Well maybe when the rain subsides
That salad looked divine!
Such a good idea…killing 3 birds with one stone
So jealous that you had sunshine! It’s been raining and grey here for the past 3 days
1. If I didn’t live up in Juniper, I would!
2. I always love the food pictures.
3. Thanks for the run again this morning. I’m looking forward to next Wednesday.
Sometimes I brink my library books with me and run by the library to drop them in the return box. I always get LOTS of looks, though!
I don’t combine errands with fitness but im going to start. Its too hard living on the humongous hill …aka Bear Mountain that I would DIE if I had to go pack groceries up that hill. I LOVE love LOVE eating outside. Its so relaxing and I swear dinner tastes better!! hahaha.
I adore eating in the sunshine! My husband hates it though. It’s always too hot, muggy, buggy etc. for him. :/ BUT, I have run my errands before. It’s great and it really helps mentally when you run somewhere fun – it’s like getting a prize for your efforts!
Combining errands with running = genius!
I am going to give that a try!!
Eating outside is so wonderful!! There is nothing better then fresh air. (I am not fond of the bugs, but if its hot enough, they all seem to stay away)
What a great idea! I never thought of combining a workout with “running” errands…
The salad looks delicious! Would you mind sharing the recipe?
Hi Deia! No problem! All it was is:
- 1-2 cups mixed greens + spinach from farmers market
- 1/4 cucumber sliced
- 1/4 tomato sliced
- 3 radishes sliced up
- 1/2 cup chickpeas
- Kraft greek-feta dressing
- A sprinkle of parmesan cheese!
SO GOOD!
Thanks! It was mainly about the ingredients… Gonna try it out during the next weeks…
I love the idea of multi-tasking. On lazy weekend mornings, my husband and I force ourselves out of the house on a long walk. Destination: coffee shop. Sometimes we turn around after grabbing coffee. Other times, it’s just a pitstop along the way. Having a destination in mind makes it easier to get up and off the couch.
Now that’s the way to get some errands RAN!
I love multipurpose activities like your run! I’ve been contemplating running to and from work a few times this summer when I just want to get mileage in. It’s about 5.5-6 mi each way so a nice run, but would be a fun little challenge to do.
I love this idea! It’s not an option for where I live (we hover around 86 at 6:30 in the morning and it only gets hotter. Blegh!) but it’s definitely something I would like doing if I didn’t live in such a tropical climate! (Oh, and 70 degrees sounds HEAVENLY right now! Jealous!)
I would love to combine them, but I live inthe sticks. It would not be able to happen. Though occasionally when I need something from the corner store I will ride/walk. But not in the winter hahah. Plus our 55 mile an hour rd would not be safe in winter at all. I sometimes go into town and walk and stuff.
That is awesome that you live within running distance to errands! I love that you are able to do that and get everything in your pack. I’m impressed
Katherine
I love eating outside but unfortunately Louisiana isn’t really the place to do it. During the day lately the heat index has been around 110 degrees. And after the sun goes down the mosquitoes come out like crazy. But even so, I still think its worth it!
sounds like a fabulous run!!!
yay for multitasking!
Great tip! If it wasn’t 110 degrees outside and I didn’t live in the ghetto than I would definitely take you up on this tip. However when I am doing errands I try to park as far away as possible and walk around the store several times to get some exercise in.
I walk to the library sometimes as it’s really close to my house…but other errands I have to run are unfortunately located in really congested areas that just aren’t very friendly to walkers, runners, etc.
You are way super cute! What book is that? The salad looks awesome!
Ooooh, I like this series! I try to fit in fitness when doing chores too, usually I’ll do a fast walk between places. Sometimes I fit it in when going to uni too, but only when I’m not running late!
And yes, I love eating outside, I just don’t bother doing it that much. BTW is that book any good do you think?
I’m so jealous! It’s so hot here, I can barely walk from my car to the store let alone run anywhere. I have to get up at 4:30 just to run in less than 80 degrees!
Oh, how I long for 70 F days! It’s been around 95 F this week (with a heat index of over 100 F), so I have lacked the desire to run or bike. Right now, it’s 7:08 a.m. and it’s 74 F out with 91% humidity. UGH! Unfortunately, I wake up too early to do anything before work (I wake up at five and get to work by 5:45), so the evening is the only possibility. I’m going to make myself go for runs and bike rides, though, even when the weather isn’t cooperating.
This is a great idea, though! I live pretty close to the bank, so I could do this!