“I Don’t Have Time” Is the New Iced Latte
Let me paint you a picture.
It’s 8:17 a.m. You’re late, your inbox is screaming, your coffee tastes like regret, and somewhere between your third Slack notification and that new viral video of a raccoon stealing donuts (did you see that?), you think—ugh, I really should work out.
And then you don’t. Because… life.
We’ve been sold the myth that fitness means gym memberships and neon leggings and 6am “grind culture” vibes. That you need time—hours of it, preferably. Well, plot twist: you don’t.
You need five minutes. Maybe ten. Your body. A chair. A wall if you’re fancy.
Let’s break the spell. Let’s reclaim movement, even if it’s messy and your form looks like a baby giraffe learning ballet.
Why Quick Workouts Actually Slap (Yeah, Science Too)
You know how a cold shower jolts you awake? Or how a spicy taco can shake you out of a funk? That’s what short workouts do. They jolt your soul. Burn the fog. Reset the vibes.
Also: Harvard says short bursts of movement improve blood flow, lift mood, reduce anxiety—and can actually make your brain sharper. (Still waiting on them to confirm it gives you abs, but one miracle at a time.)
Besides, sitting for 9 hours a day is the new smoking. And not the cool 1940s movie kind—just the sad, “my back feels like it’s made of Legos” kind.
Bottom line? Movement = life. Stagnation = weird creaky joints and existential dread.
8 Simple Exercises for Busy People
(This table is here to trick your brain into thinking this is easy—and it kind of is.)
| Exercise | How You Do It (Honestly) | Why It’s Worth It |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Squats | Feet apart, pretend you’re sitting on a ghost chair. Don’t fall. | Glutes. Power thighs. Revenge on stairs. |
| 2. Push-Ups | Chest to floor (or wall or desk if you’re fancy), push up. Repeat-ish. | Arms + chest = strength without flexing too hard. |
| 3. Lunges | Step forward. Drop. Don’t wobble. Switch. | Balance. Strength. Humility, honestly. |
| 4. Planks | Elbows or hands. Hold tight. Don’t breathe like a wildebeest. | Core like steel. Or at least aluminum. |
| 5. Chair Dips | Sit on the edge, hands on either side, dip down. Feel the burn. | Triceps whisper, “We matter too.” |
| 6. Wall Sits | Slide down the wall. Hold. Shake. Regret. Hold more. | Endurance. Quads of champions. Legs go numb, maybe. |
| 7. High Knees | March like you’re in a parade. Knees up! Hype yourself. | Cardio. Mood booster. Good for awkward energy bursts. |
| 8. Seated Leg Raises | Sit. Extend leg. Hold. Alternate. Try not to look ridiculous. | Desk-friendly core magic. |
Fun Fact: I once did leg raises during a client Zoom call and accidentally turned my webcam on. Regret? Maybe. Core strength? Unmatched.
Sneaky Ways to Trick Yourself Into Moving
We lie to ourselves. Constantly. “I’ll do it after work.” “Just five more TikToks.” But the only way movement wins is if we hide it inside other things.
- Take the stairs like they insulted your mom.
- Brush your teeth while doing calf raises. (Feels weird, works great.)
- Squats during Netflix intros. Or during The Bear when things get too emotionally intense.
- Set a timer. 1-minute per move. Boom—done in 8 minutes. That’s less than the time you spent retyping a Slack message because you sounded too passive-aggressive.
Also, gamify it. Give yourself a star sticker. Or a cookie. Or just, like, stand there afterward and whisper “I’m a legend” to yourself. It counts.
Frequently Asked Questions
(We’re all wondering, don’t act brand new.)
Q: Wait, can 10-minute workouts actually change my body?
Yes. Not overnight. But yes. Like planting a seed that grows into a fierce little sunflower that says, “I deserve good things.”
Q: Do I have to do them every day?
No. You’re not a machine. But the more consistent you are, the less your body screams when you sit down to tie your shoes.
Q: Can I do these in my pajamas?
Yes. And you should. Life is hard—wear soft clothes.
Q: Why am I sweating after one set of high knees??
Because you’re alive. And that means you’re doing it right.
Conclusion-ish: You’re Not Lazy—You’re Just Tired. That’s Different.
Let’s call this what it is: a tiny rebellion.
You against the overwhelm. You saying, “I may not control much—but I can control this minute.” These aren’t just exercises. They’re proof you showed up for yourself. Even when no one noticed.
Movement doesn’t need to be loud. Or pretty. It just needs to happen.
So whether you’re planking in your pajamas, lunging during laundry, or squatting between existential crises—congratulations. You’re doing it.
Your Next Tiny Step (a.k.a. Call to Action)
🟡 Got a weird go-to move? A squat variation that feels like a dance? Share it in the comments.
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🟣 Bonus: Save this post for that one day when your motivation is missing but your guilt is loud. Future-you will thank you.
If this post gave you even a spark of motivation—or just made you smile for a sec—save it, share it, or scribble one of these moves on a sticky note. Tape it to your laptop. Boom: transformation in progress.
Let me know if you’d like me to turn this into a carousel post, PDF mini-guide, or even a quirky Pinterest pin—because branding should sweat, too.
