As a professional always on the lookout for strategies to optimize my fitness and productivity, I frequently turn to expert resources to keep myself informed and inspired. One such resource is the Huberman Lab Podcast by Dr. Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist at Stanford University. In one episode, I stumbled upon a term that would significantly reshape my approach to maintaining fitness amid a busy schedule: "exercise snacks."
Dr. Huberman's guest, Dr. Andy Galpin, introduced the concept, which represents a novel, flexible approach to enhancing and maintaining fitness. Here's what Dr. Galpin said: "Fitness is called exercise snacks and as the name suggests this is a fun one... if you were to add one or several of these exercise snacks per week it can further improve things like VO2 max muscular endurance Etc... there are times in which we happen to not be following our foundational fitness program either because work demands or family demands where we're traveling we're simply not keeping up with our basic routine and under those conditions exercise snacks are a terrific way to maintain the fitness that you've already built and developed and you don't lose any ground in a week say where you get particularly busy."
It was this exciting idea of integrating exercise 'snacks' into my day-to-day activities that led me to develop a system using Insumo, a habit tracker, task management tool, and calendar management tool, to organize and monitor these activities. The idea of making fitness a seamless part of your day, no matter how busy, was incredibly appealing. And as I discovered, combining this concept with a powerful tool like Insumo can lead to a dramatic increase in productivity and overall well-being. In this blog post, I'm going to share how you can do the same.
The pursuit of productivity has been a central aspect of human life since time immemorial. The desire to accomplish tasks in the most efficient manner possible is what drives our efforts, ambitions, and personal development. A key component in the quest for efficiency and productivity is maintaining optimal health and well-being. Dr. Andy Galpin's concept of 'exercise snacks' presents a revolutionary approach to incorporating fitness into our daily lives, and the Insumo app is a leading-edge tool that can help us manage and visualize this process. This blog post aims to dissect the concept of productivity, explore the idea of 'exercise snacks,' and delve into how Insumo can be used to optimize these aspects in your daily routine.
Understanding Productivity
Productivity, at its core, is the measure of the efficiency of a person completing a task. It is quantified by dividing total output by the total inputs used in production. In personal and professional life, this is often equated to how much work or tasks we can accomplish within a set timeframe.
Effective time management: Getting more done in less time.
Setting and achieving goals: Attaining set objectives within a desired period.
Quality of work: The standard or level of excellence of completed tasks.
Productivity isn't just about quantity, but also about quality. As business guru Peter Drucker said;
"There is nothing so useless as doing efficiently that which should not be done at all." - Peter Drucker
What are 'Exercise Snacks'?
Dr. Andy Galpin, a prominent figure in the field of exercise physiology, has introduced the term 'exercise snacks'. These are short, intense bursts of physical activity or exercises that you 'snack on' throughout your day, much like how you would snack on small amounts of food. The idea behind exercise snacks is that they can fit into busy schedules where a traditional 30-minute or 1-hour workout might not be feasible.
Galpin advocates for the idea of incorporating little bits of physical activity into your daily routine, saying, "The exercise snack concept acknowledges that a lot of us are pressed for time. Instead of being discouraged about not having a block of 30-60 minutes for exercise, we can still do something beneficial."
Introducing Insumo: The Ultimate Habit Tracker
Insumo is a comprehensive habit tracker, task management, and calendar management tool that allows you to manage your time, tasks, and habits all in one place. It works on the premise that the best way to make positive changes in your life is to track and manage your habits.
Insumo offers:
A single, comprehensive dashboard to visualize and manage your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks.
Habit tracking features that allow you to log and track progress towards your goals.
Calendar integration that helps to organize and visualize your schedule.
Reminders and notifications that encourage consistency and accountability.
The beauty of Insumo is in its simplicity and versatility. Whether you're looking to manage professional tasks, personal habits, or health and fitness goals, Insumo provides a streamlined solution to keep everything organized and visible.
Incorporating 'Exercise Snacks' into Your Daily Schedule with Insumo
The concept of 'exercise snacks' fits perfectly into the Insumo framework. Here's how you can seamlessly incorporate these mini-workouts into your routine:
Identify Your 'Exercise Snacks': Define what your 'exercise snacks' will be. These could be quick, intense exercises like push-ups, burpees, or even a brisk walk around the block. The idea is that they should be exercises that you can do almost anywhere, without needing much space or equipment.
Schedule Your 'Exercise Snacks': Use Insumo's calendar feature to allocate specific times for your 'exercise snacks'. You might decide to do one after every meal, or at the start of each hour during your workday. The goal is to make them regular and consistent.
Track Your 'Exercise Snacks': Use Insumo's habit tracking feature to log each 'exercise snack' as you complete it. This allows you to visually track your consistency and progress over time.
Set Reminders: Insumo's reminder feature can help ensure you don't miss your 'exercise snacks'. Setting reminders for your scheduled exercise times can provide that extra nudge you need to stay on track.
Review and Adjust: Regularly review your 'exercise snacks' schedule and adjust as necessary. Maybe certain times work better for you, or perhaps some exercises fit better into your routine than others. The key is to find what works best for you and make it a habitual part of your day.
The Rewarding Effects of Seeing Your 'Exercise Snacks'
There is something profoundly satisfying about ticking off tasks on a to-do list. This psychological response is called the Zeigarnik Effect, named after a Russian psychologist who found that people remember uncompleted or interrupted tasks better than completed tasks.
When you track your 'exercise snacks' on Insumo and check them off as you complete them, you're leveraging this psychological effect to your advantage. You're not just tracking your exercise; you're making it visible and rewarding. This visibility acts as a motivator, encouraging you to maintain the habit because of the satisfaction that comes from ticking off those tasks.
The pursuit of productivity is a journey, not a destination. Tools like Insumo and concepts like 'exercise snacks' are resources that can help us along the way, offering us practical methods to enhance our lives and make the most out of our time.
Exercise snacks provide a realistic and effective approach to maintaining our physical health amidst busy schedules. When incorporated into a comprehensive tool like Insumo, we gain not only a physical advantage but also a psychological one.
As the famous saying goes, "The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." So, why not start that journey today? Start with small steps, like implementing 'exercise snacks' into your routine and using Insumo to track your progress. You might be surprised at just how powerful these simple changes can be.
References
Download Insumo
Don't wait another day to start improving your productivity and physical health. Download Insumo today and start seeing the rewarding effects of visualizing your progress. It's time to take control of your tasks, habits, and health with the help of Insumo.
From scheduling your tasks to tracking your habits, from calendar management to visualizing your 'exercise snacks', Insumo offers you the all-in-one solution for your productivity and fitness journey. It's time to taste the power of efficiency and 'exercise snacks.' Start today, one step at a time.
Remember, the change begins with you. In the words of productivity expert David Allen, "You can do anything, but not everything." So, choose to do what benefits you the most. Incorporate 'exercise snacks' into your routine and manage them with Insumo. You'll soon see the difference it makes.
"Productivity is never an accident. It is always the result of a commitment to excellence, intelligent planning, and focused effort." - Paul J. Meyer.
Get ready to experience a surge in productivity and a healthier lifestyle. The journey might be challenging, but the results will definitely be rewarding. In the world of productivity and health, small changes can make a big difference. Let's start making those changes today with 'exercise snacks' and Insumo.
Download Insumo today and start your journey towards better productivity and fitness. The power to change is in your hands. Start exercising your power today, one 'snack' at a time.
Join the community of 'exercise snackers' today and let Insumo be your companion in this exciting journey of productivity and fitness.
Comments