If you’ve ever stared at your calendar at 12.30 pm, trainers in hand, convincing yourself you “just don’t have time today”, I’m with you. The intention is there (the workout probably even booked in), but with emails unanswered and meetings overrunning, stepping away from your desk can feel like an indulgence you simply don’t have capacity for.
I spent years battling with the idea of using my lunch break to exercise. Despite being a health writer who knows full well that movement supports our mood, focus and resilience to stress (research consistently shows that both cardio and strength training benefit our mental wellbeing), the guilt often won out. I worried that exercising at lunchtime might make me look less committed or leave me falling behind in the middle of a busy working day.
