Our Blog

Sep 24, 2014

I’d love to exercise, but I just don’t have the time…

How many times have you heard that phrase? How many times have you said it? Don’t be afraid to admit it. At one time or another, everyone gets overwhelmed, swamped with work, family, life obligations. Most days I get home from work and the last thing I want to do is exercise. At the end of a long day, I’d much rather spend time relaxing with family or watching television. What usually transpires after work, though, is dinner, laundry, cleaning, kid’s homework, showers, brushing teeth, bedtime routines. The list goes on and on. How in the world with work and family could I even begin to find time to exercise? The answer is not fun. There’s no magic way to increase the hours in a day. It’s all about prioritizing.

I make a conscious decision every day that ranks what I am going to do that day in terms of importance. No matter what is going on that day, exercise is always on the list. There may be more important things to do that day, but exercise is always there. So based on that day, I may need to get up a little earlier to exercise. I may need to change directly into my running clothes when I get home and get back out the door before I get distracted. I may have lunch in the office so I have time to exercise at lunch. Each day is different, so I need to be flexible in terms of when I will exercise. I prioritize my schedule and fit exercise in where I can. This is what works for me. Your schedule is like no other person’s schedule. You have to come up with a plan that fits your life. In the end, I believe these are the steps everyone needs to fit exercise into their busy schedule:

1. Make exercise a priority in your life. If it’s not a priority, you will never find the time to do it.

2. Find an activity you like. Consistency is the key to exercise. Do something you love, and you’ll be more likely to repeat it. Running is what I love, you may enjoy swimming, bike riding, lifting weights. The list is endless.

3. Look at your daily schedule and find the wasted time. Everyone has it. Are you staying up an hour later at night watching T.V.? That can be cut out. Can you go to bed a little earlier and wake up earlier? Again, your schedule is your own. I encourage you to find the time you could fill with exercise.

4. Find an exercise partner. When you exercise alone, you are more likely to cut corners or not exercise at all. When you have someone waiting for you to exercise, that person is counting on you. You’re counting on them. You’re holding each other accountable.

5. Be consistent. You may change up the type of exercise from time to time. But your exercise time should be consistent.

The benefits derived from regular exercise are immeasurable. Look around the internet, you’ll find list after list of the benefits. Or come in to the office. I’d be happy to discuss the benefits of exercise and help you develop a plan that suits your life.

And with that, I wish everyone out there a safe and healthy week.