Ok you've done it - you've committed! That's a huge step and you should be feeling great about it! But suddenly you're struck with this thought - "ok but HOW am I going to make the time to fit everything in"
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| Never Enough Time |
Notice I said people who "make it happen."
Let's talk the truth here for a second...
You're going to have to work for the results you're looking for, they're not just going to happen by wishing, they're not just going to happen by working towards them when you feel like it or when you're schedule is wide open. You're always going to have meetings and carpools and grocery shopping and work and emergencies and vacations and many, many days where you'd like a 30 hour day instead of a 24 hour day, just to get it all done. Always. Those days are Not.Going.Away.
One of the most effective ways to make time is to make a plan. Planning now saves time later. Yes it’s hard, it takes work, but it will help you make more effective use of your valuable time, and ultimately aid in your success.
To start:
- Prioritize by making a list of the "I Must Do’s" and the "I Should Do’s.
- Schedule 30 minutes of exercise on your Must Do list 3 days a week.
- Use an hourly planner if you must, and schedule exercise like you would a Dr’s appointment – it’s equally important (and save you from a few trips later...).
Regrettably, planning isn’t always enough. What follows are some ideas that have helped me in the time-management department:
- Start now. I often hear, “I’ll start after…(vacation, the holidays, the weekend, meetings, business travel, the company party...)" you name it! Guess what? Those are those days that I that are just not going to change. Those things are just life. If you wait for every event to pass before starting, your life will have passed by and you’ll never know what happened. There is no greater time saver than this one folks - start today.
- Exercise in the morning before the day has a chance to provide you with a million excuses NOT to workout. The hardest part is getting out of bed, after that – you’re already up, you may as well workout! Set your workout clothes out the night before. Bonus: you'll have great energy and have a great sense of accomplishment with you throughout the remainder of your day!
- Got kids? Do a video while they nap or before they wake in the morning. Ask your spouse, family members or a friend to help you while you run to the gym, or - bring them with you! Many gyms have sitter services or kids clubs to watch your kids while you workout. Better still; get those kids moving with you! They’ll enjoy the extra time with you and you’ll set them on a path towards healthy behaviors for life. Try a game of Tag, that'll get your heart rate pumping and your kids will love it.
- Share your goals. I could go on about goal setting (and I probably will sometime in the near future, it’s that important), but for now, tell people what you're up to! It's easy to skip out on a workout or totally blow the day off on your nutrition plan when things get rough if no one is expecting you to show results.
- Don't hide - reach out to friends or family, or heck - me! Let them know what you are trying to achieve and ask them to help you along by supporting you when you're down and celebrating with you when you make it through.
- Your support network also knows you better than you realize, and often they can see you more wholly than you can see yourself - they know your strengths and see them each and every day. For every flaw or slip-up you perceive and are likely to dwell on, they will see 10 positive traits or successes. Let them believe in you for you, until you begin to believe in yourself. Don't try to do this alone!
Ultimately, the question becomes a matter of making time, not finding time. Make this your job (or second job) - a "Must-Do" regardless, and your compensation becomes a longer, healthier life. The only things that are truly yours in this life are your time and your health. Really think about that, and try to change your mindset to let that notion guide your priorities.
