FIND time
Too busy to exercise?
I get it, you’re working full time, you have a family that needs you 24/7, the house needs cleaning as it looks like a bombs gone off and you’re up to your ears in washing.
How on earth can you fit in exercise when you have (what feels like) no time? You know you should be doing it, you know it’s good for you, yet you feel stretched every which way.
Dig a little deeper, is time really the problem?
We have no problem when it comes to watching TV or spending time on social media. Maybe there’s a little fear in there, that starting to exercise after a long break actually scares you?
As a rule, we humans don’t like getting uncomfortable. We may think exercise is too hard or hate the idea of getting sweaty or leaving a warm house. Maybe you’re feeling embarrassed that you’ve let yourself go, you’re lacking some self esteem or are afraid to fail.
Whatever the reason, we all have the same amount of time and we all have a choice in how we use that time. The fear you feel is in all of us, facing them will improve your life in many ways.
One of my favourite quotes: ‘Make time for exercise now or Make time for disease later’.
All the science points to how beneficial exercise is: for our body, our brains, and even our ability to fight disease.
Stop putting off exercising so you can live a long healthy life AND it will also make you happier! Did you know a 1 hour workout is only 4% of your day? Go make it happen, you are worth it!
Put YOU at the top of your list.
As we become parents, we start to put ourselves last. Are you doing this?
Realise that in order for you to be at your best, you need to invest time into becoming your best self which means adding exercise to your list of ‘must do’s’ every week.
Schedule in time for exercise.
Are you a morning, afternoon or evening exercise type of person? Lock in a time that you are more likely to stick to. It could be 5 minutes or 1 hour, it could be walking or outdoor group classes. If it’s not scheduled in, you will find something else to fill in the time with.
Find something you enjoy doing.
Who wants to make time for something that feels like a chore? Whether it’s walking, group fitness or belly dancing, find that something that inspires you to move.
Revise your commitments.
Sometimes something’s gotta give in order to get what we want. Do you find it hard to say no to people? Saying yes to everything might be at your own detriment and taking up a lot of your time that could be spent strengthening your core.
Repeat after me: “can I get back to you?” or try “let me check my calendar first”
Replace/reduce time wasting activities.
Have you ever gotten stuck on social media with time just ticking away? Before you knew it it’s school pick up time right? Try to recognise and reduce the time we are spending on those activities and slot in some exercise instead.
Make catch ups an activity.
Coffee with the girls could become a workout with the girls. Your catch ups can be at exer
cise class instead, where you inspire and support each other while working out together.
Set yourself up for success.
Be organised so your exercise time isn’t going to be sacrificed. Make arrangements for a babysitter or set out your workout gear the night before that early morning fitness session.