What can you do when you don't have time?
Life is busy. It's a rush from home to work to home to bed. It's a rush of appointments, errands, chores, kids clubs, school run, social events.
How can you possibly find time to exercise when life is SO busy?
How about we think about this time issue in a different way.
What do you make time for? And why? It could be seeing friends, it could be your favourite TV programme, it could be cooking a delicious meal.
Why do you make time for these things? Because they are important to you in a variety of ways. When things are important we make time. Sometimes some of the other things just have to make way.
So, why do you want to make time for exercise? It really helps to be clear, and to set goals. How will you feel next week, next month, by the summer, by Christmas if you have made time to devote to yourself and exercise to achieve your fitness goals. Stop for a moment and think about it.
Now it's time to make a plan (and then be prepared to change it, because life changes, and we shouldn't beat ourselves up about it!).
1. Look at your diary every week and plan when you might manage some exercise. It could be a trip to the gym, a class, a run, walking the kids to school, cycling to work. Write it in your diary and tell yourself you will do it.
2. If you're a morning person how about finding 10 minutes in the whirlwind of the morning for yourself. It could be you set the alarm 10 minutes earlier or that you don't hit the snooze for once! I personally think the PJ bottoms and sports bra is a great workout outfit. I quite like the app Seven as it's a short whole body workout in just 7 minutes...and sometimes I need external motivation. The kids cheer me on too.
3. What do you do when you get in from work or the school run? Could you relax for 10 minutes and then get moving...10 minutes of activity. Crazy dancing with the kids, a squat/burpee/lunge/press up medley? You decide.
4. Lunchtime – I'm a big fan of getting out and moving at lunchtime. I think it boosts both concentration and performance. Even if work is feeling super busy it's worth heading out for a 15 minute walk or run. You'll get more done that afternoon!
Exercise is an investment, it’s for the long term. Your body and mind and future self will thank you for finding the time now. Looking after yourself should be top of the list of things to do.
You might find my blog on exercise snacking useful - with more ideas on how you can get exercise into your busy days. Click here to find out more.
A big part of my work with clients is helping them find the exercise habit, learning to love it and making it a part of their lives for good.
Why not come along to a class or book a call with me to find out how you can start making that kind of change for yourself.
Working with me one to one as your health coach, I can help you develop and implement these strategies, so you can carry on being strong, but build in the moments and pockets of rest you need.
Find out more here. Or drop me a line and I’ll see if I’m the right person to help.