Finding Time For Fitness
A topic I have been wanting to write about for a long time. Before I get going, let me get you thinking... there are 24 hours in 1 day... 7-8 of those are spent sleeping so that leaves about 17 hours of awake time. You probably spend 9 hours working (including travel time). That leaves 8 hours of free time. I PROMISE you that you have at least 30 minutes to do something active.
I have been a busy person my entire life, and I love it. Luckily I love working out so finding time to do that in my busy day is easy. I know for many people, especially people who despise working out, it may be hard to fit a workout into your day. Incorporating fitness into your daily schedule could be challenging at first. The benefits of working out every day and fitting it into your busy schedule are far greater than the loss of 1 hour of sleep, or the energy spent packing a bag for the day. Trust me, once you start making fitness a part of your daily schedule, it will suddenly feel wrong to not workout one day.
Let me give you a rundown of a busy day for me, a few different scenarios and hopefully you can relate to one of them.
Scenario 1:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake and I both wake up, pack our bags which usually consist of shower supplies, towel, work clothes, makeup, hair dryer, straighter, and coaching clothes.
I pack both of our lunches (sometimes Jake makes the sandwiches)
5:45- we head out the door to LA Fitness ( in our own cars)
6:00-7:30- we both workout. I usually do some cardio and lifting and Jake does more lifting and a small amount of cardio
7:30-8:30- shower and drive time to work
* breakfast is consumed during this time and it is usually a banana and protein bar
8:30-5:00- work
5:30-8:30- head up to Noblesville and coach for the evening
9:00- arrive home, eat a quick dinner and head to bed
Scenario 2:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake gets up and gets his stuff ready and heads to LA Fitness
I am way too tired to get up and decide to skip the morning workout ( I almost always regret this)
5:45- Jake leaves and I roll around bed trying to fall back asleep
6:45- I get up and head to work
8:00-5:00- work
5:30-8:30- coach
9:00-arrive home
Now, with this scenario it appears I have no time to work out. WRONG! This is where many of us view our days as too busy to incorporate fitness. So what do I do? I bring clothes and workout during my lunch hour. Everyone has a lunch hour, right? Even if it is a quick 30 minute walk around the building, or a quick trip to the nearby gym- you don't even have to change clothes if you don't want..... just get up and get moving. I know what you are thinking " I can't shower". Well, you can wipe down with Clearasil wipes and be good as new! A recent study shows that sitting all day can lower your lifespan- so get up and move more!
Scenario 3:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake gets up and heads to the gym. Yes there is a trend... Jake is so much better about getting up and working out consistently
6:15- I wake up and have to head into work early ( this happens a lot)
7:00-5:00- busy day at work no time for a lunchtime workout
5:00-6:00- I change into my running clothes and head out for a long run
This is likely the most common scenario for people without kids. After work is my favorite time for a hard workout or a really long run, but with my schedule I a rarely free after work. Some of you may be wondering, WHY is it worth trying to fit this workout into my day? Well, being active has so many benefits! People who regularly have a longer lifespan, have a reduced chance for diseases and cancers, feel better, look better, have more energy, have better metabolism, reduce their risk of injury because they bones and muscles are healthy, and my favorite, feel HAPPY.
An empty LA Fitness at 6:00am.
Tips for incorporating workouts to your days:
-Buy a cute bag to haul around with your workout clothes and shower stuff if needed. I love my Lulu Lemon workout bag (thanks mom and dad)
-Have Clearasil wipes, and a towel in your bag always
-Pack your lunch and snacks the night before so you can grab and go ( I will do a post about what Jake and I pack and prepare at our house for busy days)
-Always have deodorant, lotion, and baby powder
-Put time on your calendar
-Set an alarm so you can hold yourself accountable
-Invite people: friends or coworkers may think you are crazy at first, but eventually they will catch on
Remember, it takes 21 days for something to become a habit- so give it some time! Even if you are incorporating working out 1 day a week at first, it is a great start! Do yourself a favor and get active- your body will thank you.
I have been a busy person my entire life, and I love it. Luckily I love working out so finding time to do that in my busy day is easy. I know for many people, especially people who despise working out, it may be hard to fit a workout into your day. Incorporating fitness into your daily schedule could be challenging at first. The benefits of working out every day and fitting it into your busy schedule are far greater than the loss of 1 hour of sleep, or the energy spent packing a bag for the day. Trust me, once you start making fitness a part of your daily schedule, it will suddenly feel wrong to not workout one day.
Let me give you a rundown of a busy day for me, a few different scenarios and hopefully you can relate to one of them.
Scenario 1:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake and I both wake up, pack our bags which usually consist of shower supplies, towel, work clothes, makeup, hair dryer, straighter, and coaching clothes.
I pack both of our lunches (sometimes Jake makes the sandwiches)
5:45- we head out the door to LA Fitness ( in our own cars)
6:00-7:30- we both workout. I usually do some cardio and lifting and Jake does more lifting and a small amount of cardio
7:30-8:30- shower and drive time to work
* breakfast is consumed during this time and it is usually a banana and protein bar
8:30-5:00- work
5:30-8:30- head up to Noblesville and coach for the evening
9:00- arrive home, eat a quick dinner and head to bed
Scenario 2:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake gets up and gets his stuff ready and heads to LA Fitness
I am way too tired to get up and decide to skip the morning workout ( I almost always regret this)
5:45- Jake leaves and I roll around bed trying to fall back asleep
6:45- I get up and head to work
8:00-5:00- work
5:30-8:30- coach
9:00-arrive home
Now, with this scenario it appears I have no time to work out. WRONG! This is where many of us view our days as too busy to incorporate fitness. So what do I do? I bring clothes and workout during my lunch hour. Everyone has a lunch hour, right? Even if it is a quick 30 minute walk around the building, or a quick trip to the nearby gym- you don't even have to change clothes if you don't want..... just get up and get moving. I know what you are thinking " I can't shower". Well, you can wipe down with Clearasil wipes and be good as new! A recent study shows that sitting all day can lower your lifespan- so get up and move more!
Scenario 3:
5:15- alarm goes off
Jake gets up and heads to the gym. Yes there is a trend... Jake is so much better about getting up and working out consistently
6:15- I wake up and have to head into work early ( this happens a lot)
7:00-5:00- busy day at work no time for a lunchtime workout
5:00-6:00- I change into my running clothes and head out for a long run
This is likely the most common scenario for people without kids. After work is my favorite time for a hard workout or a really long run, but with my schedule I a rarely free after work. Some of you may be wondering, WHY is it worth trying to fit this workout into my day? Well, being active has so many benefits! People who regularly have a longer lifespan, have a reduced chance for diseases and cancers, feel better, look better, have more energy, have better metabolism, reduce their risk of injury because they bones and muscles are healthy, and my favorite, feel HAPPY.
An empty LA Fitness at 6:00am.
Tips for incorporating workouts to your days:
-Buy a cute bag to haul around with your workout clothes and shower stuff if needed. I love my Lulu Lemon workout bag (thanks mom and dad)
-Have Clearasil wipes, and a towel in your bag always
-Pack your lunch and snacks the night before so you can grab and go ( I will do a post about what Jake and I pack and prepare at our house for busy days)
-Always have deodorant, lotion, and baby powder
-Put time on your calendar
-Set an alarm so you can hold yourself accountable
-Invite people: friends or coworkers may think you are crazy at first, but eventually they will catch on
Remember, it takes 21 days for something to become a habit- so give it some time! Even if you are incorporating working out 1 day a week at first, it is a great start! Do yourself a favor and get active- your body will thank you.
Loving the new blog! Ill def keep checking in :)!
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