Maintaining a healthy, active lifestyle may be one of the top priorities in your life. But that doesn’t mean it is always easy. Fitness enthusiast Evelyn Garland has these five simple steps that can help you to stay fit despite a demanding lifestyle.

1 Preparation is key. You need to be organised. Prepare yourself the night before. Whether you plan on exercising on your lunch break during work or straight after a day on the farm, pack your bag the night before with the workout clothes you need. That way you will avoid panicking the next morning trying to find your gear as you rush out the door.

2 Workout while travelling. Choose a workout that suits you best when you’re on the go, whether you’re travelling to or from the office or out to the fields. This exercise, whether it is a brisk walk to the bus stop or cycling to the shops, won’t need much preparation. This will allow you to accomplish physical goals in a short period of time.

3 Be realistic. Decide on the type of exercise that suits you. One person’s walking might be another person’s running. Don’t compare yourself to other people. Choose a form of exercise that fits your lifestyle.

4 Choose something instead of doing nothing. Don’t become a couch potato. You don’t need to work out for an hour to get an effective workout. Some exercise is better than none and you will feel the benefits after. Short, speedy 20-minute workouts are just as effective as spending an hour in the gym.

5 Track your progress. If you don’t measure your performance how do you know how far you have come? By tracking your progress, it helps motivate you to make improvements. This helps you stay on track and avoid slipping into bad habits.