Making Time for Sweat
I get it. I’ve been there. Seven years ago, when I went back to work full time, in an office, at a job that required travel, I literally had no time. My children were 10 and 16, and leading very busy lives. I always liked to exercise and it was easy enough to fit in when I was working on my own as a freelance writer. Re-entering the full time workforce was tough and I probably had 10 pounds to lose. Over the first few months, I gained some more and pretty soon, I felt tired and sluggish and uncomfortable in my clothing. I saw a picture of myself at a school fundraiser in a dress I thought made me look thinner and I
Me – 2010
cringed. It made me look anything BUT thin. That was the trigger. I knew I needed to change my lifestyle, even if it was a scheduling challenge. Note – this isn’t about being skinny. It’s about being comfortable in your own skin. I was not.
I remembered how I felt when I worked out. I loved that feeling. I knew it would help with my energy levels and overall well being. Finding the time was the issue. With work, travel, kid activities/school, and doing the things needed to maintain a house and life, I probably had 30 minutes a day. But I figured that was enough and I made the commitment. In about 6-9 months, I lost almost 30 lbs. I dedicated space to working out in my home. I scouted out hotel gyms before checking in. I scheduled it and protected that time. Today, I’ve maintained that weight loss, and it has led me to embrace other healthful-living habits like eating “cleaner” and furthering my education in nutrition and exercise.
Own it. Don’t make excuses or rationalize. Once you accept that you haven’t made yourself a priority, you can start to change your habits. So, now when friends or colleagues ask how I manage to fit in exercise and better eating habits, I share my journey and my strategies. I’m no expert. I only know what’s worked for me and those who have taken a page from my playbook on living a little healthier. Read on for a few of my favorite tips for getting back on track with exercise. If I can do it, so can you. And, if you can’t, contact me. I will help you find the time to take care of you.
Commit to it. On whatever level you can. Dedicate 15 minutes a day to your health for one week. Spend that time setting yourself up for success. Schedule workouts on your calendar for next week. Clear a space in your home for working out. Research the right shoes or attire for the kind of workout you want to do. (Note: if you don’t know what you want to do, start with walking. No equipment needed, except a good pair of shoes.)
Schedule it. For real. Everyone has a calendar on their phone. Schedule it when it works for you. I like early mornings before work but there are times I’ve taken a lunch time class and it’s on my calendar like a meeting.
Don’t over think it. Any heart-pumping movement is good for you. Walk. Run. Dance in your kitchen. Trying to go from the couch to a spin class can be overwhelming and discouraging. Just get up and move. You will figure out what you like so you can push yourself harder.
Give it 5 Minutes. When you feel like doing ANYTHING BUT working out, give it 5 minutes. If you still aren’t feeling it, stop. I’m willing to bet, though, that you won’t stop once those feel-good endorphins kick in.
So that’s my story…it’s worked for almost 7 years and I continue to use these strategies and others to stay healthy and
Me – 2014
fit. Am I perfect? Um…hell no. But I am healthier than I’ve ever been, have more energy and feel good about what I see in the mirror. That’s enough for me.
Bonus tip…Wake up; lace up. This is a personal one…but I find it works. Wake up and get dressed in your workout clothes. You’re a gazillion times more likely to get your sweat on if you look the part. No joke. I feel guilty if I don’t.
Need help getting started? Message me. I will share with you my strategies and help keep you accountable.
Niki