I often get asked, “When do you find time to workout?” It’s not rocket science. My answer is just get it done!
DECIDE TO MAKE YOURSELF A PRIORITY
As a mother of three, it is a constant challenge to put myself first and find the time to workout. Everyone relies on you to keep it together to ensure things go smoothly everyday. This is exactly why you should make yourself a priority. I’ll often refer to working out as my “Me” time. This is when I can escape, recharge and refocus. HAPPY MOM = HAPPY FAMILY. I have yet to meet a mom who has achieved her fitness goals and disagrees. (This applies to Dad’s too)
HAVE A PLAN
Make the most of your time at the gym. Whether you enlist the help of a personal trainer/coach or decide to do it yourself, make sure you have a plan consisting of an effective workout and meal plan specifically designed to reach your goals. Without a proper plan you’ll find yourself frustrated and won’t get the desired results. Like most parents, I’m time deprived, so it’s important for me to have a plan. When I’m not training for a competition, my workouts are no more than 45 minutes including warm-up and cool down, 4 times a week. My meal plan works with my exercise plan to ensure I’m getting the results I desire.
FIGURE OUT THE BEST TIME TO WORKOUT AND BE FLEXIBLE
If you’re in it for a lifestyle change, working out and eating right is going to become a huge part of your life. It doesn’t stop when you fit into that dress you’ve been wanting to get into. Whatever time you decide works best for you, be consistent. It’s also important to be flexible for those crazy days life throws at you. For me, the best time to workout is during my lunch hour or at night when my hubby can take over dinner preparations and gives me just enough time to get my workout in.
DEALING WITH EXC– — USES
The sooner you realize that your excuses are what’s standing in you’re way, the faster you’ll reach your goal. It takes me longer to come up with an excuse and convince myself not to go to the gym then it does to just get it done! For example, it takes longer to load the dishwasher and tidy-up the kitchen than it does to get a workout in and feel better. Both need to get done, but the workout will give you the energy you need to tackle whatever life throws at you. As the cold weather approaches, think of ways to get your workout in. You owe it to yourself and you’ll feel better!
FALLING OFF PLAN
It’s a lifestyle change, not the end of the world. You’re in this for the long haul. If you fall off plan and miss a workout or screw up a meal – who cares? Don’t dwell on it, let it go and just get back on plan. As my trainer, Coach JVB says, “Correct and Continue”. This is probably the best advice I have ever received.
FIND THE MOTIVATION TO HELP YOU REACH YOUR GOAL
It all boils down to how badly you want this for yourself. Dig deep and determine what it really means for you to reach your goal and reward yourself for small accomplishments.