Make Me a Priority
Finding Time to Workout
Everyone says they don’t have time to work out. There is only one way to ensure you have time, and that is by making time. You have to schedule a workout, just as you would schedule a dinner with friends, picking up your kids, or a business meeting. If you want to realize your goals you must schedule time for yourself to meet your goals, “make me a priority”.
The best tip is to schedule your workout, first thing in the morning if possible since it is impossible to predict what the future holds. Many people balancing work and family life have after school activities for their children or the possibility that they will have to work late. If you schedule your workout in the morning, you prevent the chances that you will run out of time for your workout.
Of course, any workout is beneficial and if you are just not a morning person-scheduling a workout after work or in the evenings is better than not scheduling one at all. However, often times it is more challenging to motivate oneself after a long day, therefore, if you work out after work, pack your gym bag and stop at the gym on your way home…this way the couch doesn’t beckon you and tempt you to skip.
Another tip is to have a work out buddy. This can be someone you work out with or just someone that holds you accountable. If you have to meet someone at the gym, you are not likely to stand them up. Or if you are to meet a neighbor for a run in the morning, you will crawl out of bed knowing he/she is counting on you. Buddies do not even have to be the same fitness level; you could meet at the gym, talk about the day on machines beside each other and catch up all while working out at a level comfortable to you. In addition, buddies do not necessarily have to have the same workout, one workout partner may be interested in lifting and another in cardio, however if you are coworkers and plan to meet at the gym you are more likely to go to be accountable to your workout buddy.
Lastly, workouts do not always have to feel like workouts. Going for a bike ride or walk with family or friends after dinner can be “social” yet you are getting exercise. Playing tag, tennis, going swimming, or hiking can all be social events as well.
The important thing is to schedule workouts as fun events, doing things you enjoy, or scheduling with someone who’s company you enjoy to make sure you are consistent in your exercise goals.