What's the No. 1 excuse for not working out? LACK OF TIME!
Sure, we're all busy handling multiple priorities and rushing around from here and there every day. But as busy as we may be, we have less trouble finding time for television, social networking or even dull household tasks than exercising.
We all have the same 24 hours in a day and how we spend those hours is our choice. If you WANT to exercise, you’ll make the time.
Below are a few strategies to help you fit in a workout into your day, if you look closer, you'll discover that you do have the time to work out—and you deserve to use that time for yourself.
Remember, when Mommy’s happy and healthy, everyone else has a better shot of following suit.
Plan your meals ahead of time
Don't know what you are having for dinner and then waste 30-40 mins trying to think of something?
Or end up having to pop out to the supermarket to get that one elusive ingredient you don't have!
Planning your families meals in advance has many advantages, including freeing up more of your time for other activities.
Don't know how? Check out my FREE guide to saving time in the kitchen:
Turn Your Commute into a Workout
If you are lucky enough to be able to walk or bike to work – do it! When I lived in the UK I would walk 40 mins to and from work every day – I was the slimmest I had ever been and it was so easy to fit it in.
If you cant walk the whole way, park your car 10 minutes away from the office.
Set Your Alarm Early
Becoming an A.M. exerciser means you get to cross your workout off your to-do list ASAP. Don’t skip out on sleep in favor of a workout, but try to get to bed 20 minutes earlier and wake up 30-40 minutes earlier. Can't quite get yourself out of bed that early? Wear your workout clothes to bed or at least have them wear you will trip over them when you wake up. In the morning you don’t want to have to think about anything ;)
Sneak In a Lunch Break Workout
Make use of your precious 60 minutes by hitting the gym or going for a walk. Not only will it keep your waistline in check, but it’s also been proven that you are more productive during the day by logging off for an hour than you would have been by eating lunch at your desk.
Even better make it social and get a few of your walking together!
Get the kids involved
It’s hard to find dedicated “alone time” as a parent — but do you really need it? Got a young brood? Invest in a jogging stroller to get your miles in without paying big bucks for a sitter. Or strap your bundle of joy into a carrier and do squats for extra resistance and a fun distraction.
If you have older kids they would love to do the workouts with you, or sometimes, you may have to grease the wheels in order to fit in your workout. I have occasionally been known to bribe my children. Often it is with a fruit smoothie afterwards (when I have my protein shake) or sometimes a board game or time at the park, whatever it is my kids are more willing to participate with minimal complaining when there is something in it for them. No shame in that!
Or how often have you taken the kids to one of their classes and had to sit around waiting for them – use that time to get a quick walk/jog in – gymnastics for them, jog for you!
No More "Couch Potato"
Just because you're catching up on Dare Devil on Netflix doesn't mean you can't do push-ups, crunches, jumping jacks, and squats too. Clear up some space between the couch and the TV so you don't miss anything while breaking a sweat. Need an extra nudge? Move your dumbbells, jump rope, and other fitness tools near the tube to give yourself visible reminders.
Audit Your Schedule
“Regular exercisers don’t find time, they ‘take’ time”. Most of us have unused chunks of time in our day. Those 30-minutes we spend on Facebook or Pinterest. Those 10-minute intervals we spend checking email or cleaning. For just a few days, record how much time you’re spending your surfing the Internet, checking personal email, watching TV and playing video games whether it's on your computer or your phone. Now figure out which activities you could ‘take’ time from. If possible, lump them all together and use them for a workout. If not, spread your activity throughout the day.”
Block It Out
Now you “found” time BLOCK IT OUT. If you have an appointment on your calendar, chances are you show up. I set aside specific times in my planner, they feel more like an appointment I have to keep. Schedule it as part of your day and make it non-negotiable.
Be motivated by money.
Putting some money on the line may provide you with the motivation you need to show up for activity. Sign up for a yoga workshop, book some sessions with a personal trainer, or plunk down some cash for a race or workout program. Schedule a babysitter to watch the kids while you go for a run.
I have consistently found that people who pay for their workouts or fitness classes are much more likely to succeed than those that borrow, or do free classes. Think about it, it is cold and miserable outside are you more likely to go to a class if you paid for it or if it was for free?
Think positive.
Psychologists suggest that actively editing your negative self-tal