Finding Time to Work Out

 

The truth of the matter—and you will probably identify with it—is that we all know the importance of exercise. We know only too well how important workouts are to maintain the proper health and fitness of our body. We have heard it, read it, and even accepted it, that we need to work out and exercise if we want to live longer and have a quality life as well. These are all things that we have accepted . But the problem with most of us is… where is the time to exercise?

 

If you are like most people, then you are probably in a job that pays you well, but it also makes you work for long hours. Most of the time, you have to carry your work home with you. There is nothing such as a  separate  home  life  for  you;  your  home  is  just  another  extended workplace.

 When the situation is like that for most of us, it is quite  

understandable that we do not find time to work out.

 

And, on the days that we do have time to work out, we are too tired to go  out  and  do  the  hard  work.  We  are  just  too  bogged  down  to exercise,  and  we  feel  down  and  out  already.  How  many  mornings have  we  begun  lately  feeling  fatigued?  Too  many  to  be  good  for health,  but  then  we  do  not  have  the  time  or  inclination  for  exercise too.

This  is  putting  us  in  grave  peril.  We  are  walking  on  the  wild  side, knowingly  that  too.  We  know  that  we  must  work  out  and  keep  our stamina intact if nothing else, but even then we do not manage to do what we should. Something that we must give utmost priority too is being swept under the carpet by us.

 

Let us see why people find it difficult to work out, despite knowing the importance of it. We shall find out also about how we can manage our time in such a way that we  always  have  enough  time  on  our  hands  to  perform  those  all- important exercises. 

Life  just  seems  to  get  busier  and  busier  and  though  we  have  great intentions to work out, are you like me at times  find yourself going to bed at the end of yet another day and feeling a sense of guilt that the workout   you   have   been   promising   yourself   all   week   still   hasn’t happened?

If  you  are  like  many  people,  then  it  happens  more  times  than  you probably want to think about. Workouts and taking time for ourselves often come at the end of a very long list of priorities. It is not that we do not want to do them; it is just trying to fit them in. So what can we do  to  ensure  that  we  are  able  to  complete  everything  on  that  list including a workout?

 

 

1.  Give yourself permission to take care of yourself and take time out to workout. This is often the greatest hurdle to overcome. It gets much easier after this.

2.  Buy a scheduler and map out your day. Choose one with a week to  a  page  view  so  you  can  easily  see  any  gaps  of  time  in  your week. Remember    to    include    everything,    including    your commitments  and  responsibilities  at  home,  your  lunch  breaks and meal times at home and your free time.

3.  Schedule in time for exercise if you have any obvious free time.

Remember  to  think  of  time  before  and  after  work  and  even during    the    day    at    work.    Lunchtimes    can    be    excellent opportunities to work out.

4.  Do not underestimate mini workouts. Even ten minutes can be used to effectively work out. Finding time to work out is made easier  if  you  think  in  terms  of  10  minute  periods  rather  than looking  for  long  periods  of  time  to  schedule.  Weekends  may provide  longer  sessions  but  still  program  them  as  multiple  10 minute sessions.

5.  The good news is that workouts do not need to mean expensive gyms. There are many work out ideas that can fit your home or office  routine  and  do  not  require  attending  a  gym  or  other sporting venue.

6.  Create   fun   workout   routines   that   include   your   children   or family  members.  If  your  young  children  are  in  a  childcare facility during the day, a brisk walk with them in a pusher will provide  an  excellent  interval  training  cardio  and  resistance workout.

 

7.  Buy  some  portable  equipment  like  resistance  bands  and  hand weights to keep in your desk at work or in the kitchen and use them when you have a few spare minutes waiting for a meeting to begin or food to cook on the stove.

The key to finding time to work out in the midst of a busy schedule is to  actually  begin  to  do  it.  Often  the  hardest  part  of  finding  time  to work out is prioritizing it and then actually doing the exercise the first couple of times. However,  it is worth remembering that a good or bad habit  takes  about  3  weeks  to  develop so  if  you  start  your  work  outs today,   they   may   be   a   little   difficult   to   fit   into   your   immediate schedule, but they will eventually become second nature.