finding time for workouts

When it comes to maintaining workouts, you have to be blunt and see it as a non-negotiable. It is non-negotiable for way more than just maintaining a healthy weight your physical heath, your mental well-being, your confidence, your energy levels and you quality of sleep all depend upon it! It is definitely non-negotiable if you are trying to stick to a training plan like I am!

 Everyone is pressed for time, and you have more of it than you think. The biggest waste of often time spent wondering when/where/how you are going to fit it in. By the time you done racking over this, you could have had your workout done!

Good intentions are great, but sometimes aren't enough to ensure you follow through on your exercise goals. These are all pretty standard answers, but its what I have found works for me.

Plan ahead

Prior preparation prevents panic! Don't even give yourself a chance to argue, stick to a plan. Planning  gives you the upper hand in utilising your time to ensure you designate time for exercise. Schedule your workouts like you would any other appointment in diary/planner/phone calender/etc. I also keep a note of my workouts on my wall calender; seeing what I have achiever (or if I slacking!) visually motivates me to move!

Make it convenient

Choose a gym that is convenient for you, and this is not necessarily the gym closest to your home. Finding a gym near work/university/your train station will mean you can fit in a workout on route home. Make your existing schedule a strength - its as a time you are already going to be out and about. This is a much more convenient time to workout than having to go back out again once you've been home. Granted,  you need to remember your kit/wear your workout gear, which is less of a pain than you first imagine once you've got into the habit. Trainers are much more comfy to wear running errands/going to class, forget the fashion rules about never been seen in your workout kit, time is of the essence! Plus, with all the great workout clothing options available now, it doesn't have to be a fashion faux pas.

Remember why

Everyone knows why they should exercise, but you have to want to do it. The easiest way to use this as motivation is to connect the reasons why you want to do it to yourself individually. Maybe its the health problems than run in your family, maybe you need it for stress relief, fighting anxiety or depression, maybe your sick of feeling out of shape. Identify it and write it down somewhere you can flick to if you are feeling unmotivated (like the back of your diary or on the fridge)

Find an exercise you enjoy

Pretty simple, but often overlooked. There is something for everyone, you don't have to Zumba if you hate dance, you don't have to slog it out in a gym. Some people might prefer a team sport, some might like being outdoors amerced in nature, some might like routine motion and peaceful time solo time and some might like to workout with a friend.  Finding something you enjoy transforms it from a workout into a leisure activity and you time.

Be flexible (and be imaginative!)

If its really looks like you cant fit in a 60min class/45min gym session/30min run, don't worry. Drop the all of nothing approach, 5, 10, 15 minutes of cardio/resistance in the house before you jump in the shower in the morning will get your metabolism fired up. At least try to keep active in what else your doing (you should be brisk walking already if your that busy!) by remembering to take taking the stairs whenever possible and taking regular stretching breaks if you are sitting down for long periods of time. If all else fails, you can always make jam-packed days your rest day!

 

How do you find time for your workouts? Do you use the same tips as me?