by Bethany Rutledge
How do you fit it all in? This is a question I often get asked about my training. Specifically, the question asked is how does one find time for self and health with a job, a life, church, friends, and endless commitments and responsibilities. I must admit my response can vary depending on who specifically is asking. In some situations it is harder to find time whether you work long hours, are a single parent, have young children, or some combination of the above. In these situations, I feel a little guilty because I know that even though it is hard for me to fit it all in these people have far less free time than I do!
But there are other people who say that they cannot find the time who have far more hours in the day. Some of those people spend hours watching television in the evening or go out to eat every night. For them, these activities simply take priority over exercise or the gym. For example, I once had a client who claimed she wanted to change her lifestyle yet insisted her late night trips to McDonalds were a necessity, as in the late nights and the fast food! It is all about priorities. So now that I have admitted that it may in fact, be easier for me to fit it all in than some of you, I will name some things that have worked for me.
Make exercise an (almost) non-negotiable
The secret to getting it done is making it non-negotiable. For example if you have a five show lineup of Tuesday must-see TV but reply in all sincerity that you do not have time you made need to reassess. On the flip side, you probably do not look at paying your mortgage as optional, and you should see exercise the same way.
It is important to state the obvious. There are several items that come above fitting in time for exercise. They include if there is a situation with your family, your job, if you or a dependent is sick, etc. However, after this short list your personal exercise time has to be listed as non negotiable. Ninety percent of the time, the excuse that you cannot exercise because you are taking time away from “x,” means that you just are not being creative enough (or getting up early enough!). I have had many clients say they do not want to take time away from the family yet then find if they spend a few minutes each day improving themselves and their health that they are able to then come back a much more cheerful and giving person. You have to believe you Can fit it in somewhere!
Eliminate all the little obstacles and excuses ahead of time.
I keep my bike in my car much of the time. Also, a spare swimsuit, goggles, and running shoes! Fortunately my car is big enough to hold all this extra stuff. There are a few reasons for this. First is the folly of going home first. If I know I want to do a ride after work, I will put it in my car so I can immediately ride. If I go home I will get distracted with cleaning, playing with the dogs, catching up on emails or something else. Some things along the same lines are keeping the gym bag or running shoes in the car at all times. You never know when you will get a good opportunity. For example, one woman I know walks around the soccer field while her children practice.
The second reason to do this is to make it easier mentally to do what you originally intended. To get yourself back out the door after a long day of responsibilities is hard, so why do it? Integrate it during or immediately after instead.
Get Creative
This may be too much self-disclosure, but I have never received more compliments on my hair than I do after leaving the pool and air drying it in my car. Lesson learned? Get creative. You might have to work out then figure out how to get cleaned up on the fly to save time.
Tell people your plans
I like to tell John, my husband, ahead of time what I am planning. If I tell him I am going to run for an hour, for some reason I do not want to tell him later that I decided to cut it to thirty minutes. Not that it matters to him, but it does matter to me! That’s the power of accountability
Get someone to join you. Seriously.
Yes, lining up training partners or walk buddies can be a hassle sometimes. But it is sooo much easier not to cancel if you know someone is counting on you!
Bottom Line
Making exercise a habit it like using a muscle. The attitude and drive required to “make it happen” get stronger over time. Do not get discouraged if it is not immediately enjoyable or a mental battle to get started. Above all else, remember the following to keep your priorities in line: For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
Tags: exercise, priorities
Good tips! I should use them.