One of the biggest objections I hear from people who are thinking about starting a fitness program is, “I don’t have time.” I can empathize. I have a family and I’m a business owner, and I coach people all day long. I have my own health and body to take care of as best I can. I’m just like you. I get overwhelmed, make a lot of mistakes, get into ruts when I’m spending hours and hours doing things that I thought were really important.
What actually happened was that I didn’t prioritize myself and invest my time in the areas that would’ve moved me closer to my goals.
Keeping a journal is a good idea. But whether you keep a journal or not, one of the most important questions you can ask yourself every day is, “did I move closer to my goals today?” If the answer is, “no,” then more often than not, it’s time to recalibrate how you’re spending your time.
I’m actually on vacation right now with my family and it’s really easy to sleep in, lounge around all day at the pool, and let my fitness and health go for a week. But that doesn’t serve me in the long run. Don’t think we aren’t enjoying our free time and the food on Maui but I am also ensuring that I am staying active and eating reasonably. It’s a balance.
So here are some tricks that have helped me get a handle on my time (even on vacation):
— Use a handwritten planner: Handwritten is the key. If your only daily/weekly schedule is on your phone, where all the other information overload lives, you’re doomed. When you put it in writing, it stands out. Every night before I go to bed, I block out all of my scheduled appointments for the next day (classes I’m teaching, 1×1 training appointments, strategy calls, success sessions, and any personal or family obligations, etc.). Then I know how much time I REALLY have to work with. And I write down the three things I need to accomplish in that remaining time in order to move forward.
— Home workouts: Having an all-or-nothing approach to fitness is one of the quickest ways to sabotage yourself. Every day is not going to be perfect. In fact, if you’re human — and have work, school, family, and/or relationships with other humans — MOST days are not going to be perfect. Just because you can’t make it to the gym doesn’t mean all bets are off for movement that day. Even 10-15 minutes of light stretching, walking, or exercise makes a difference.
— Be kind to yourself: If you miss a workout or two, don’t assume that’s the end of the line and you’ll never get back into your routine. If you didn’t check the movement box today, get a little something done at home. Before you go to bed, schedule your exercise time for the next day. Rinse, repeat. If you succeed more often than not, you’ll move closer to your goals.
Your choices have consequences when it comes to your health, fitness, wellness, and longevity. The next time you hear yourself say, “I don’t have time,” I urge you to evaluate how you’re spending the time that you have.
