Busy Busy Busy!

If you work full time, have many part time jobs, own a business, are a parent, or many of the above…chances are you are a busy person! Busy people still need to prioritize health and fitness, because you can’t burn a candle at both ends and sustain your success. But, how to do it?

Tip 1-Assess Your Schedule

Take an inventory of your daily, and weekly schedule and routine.

• When do you wake up?
• What is your morning routine, how much time does it take?
• When do you leave for work/start work from home?
• How long is your commute?
• How long is your lunch  break?
• What time do you end work/get home?
• What time is dinner?
• What time is bed time?

This will show you how you are currently using your time, and potential areas for opportunity. Here is a great resource to help you assess your schedule and manage your time.

Tip 2- Make a Morning Routine!

If you don’t have a set routine every morning to get ready for the day, make one! If you are not into exercise in the morning, that’s ok. Morning routines will set you up for success each and every day, here are some examples of what you could include in yours:

• The time you wake up is the same every day, no snooze bars!
• Before you do anything, think of one or two things you are grateful for
• Think about a few things you will accomplish today, see them as wins!
• Find something nutritious that you can eat or drink in the morning, make it part of the routine
• Exercise, stretch, or do some reading for a personal development topic!

The first part of your morning routine should not be looking at your texts, emails, social media, the news, etc. Why not?? This will start your day off being influenced by priorities, options, concerns, questions of other people. If you build a routine which starts you off in a positive frame of mind (and body) each day, you are set up to be successful and healthy!

For tips to help you customize a morning routine just for you, check this out!

Tip 3- Find Time To Exercise!

Ok, so remember that inventory you did of your schedule and routine in step 1? Let’s take a look and find time to exercise! Ask yourself a few questions before we hunt around for ideal times in your day:

1. Are you a morning person, or can you be after a cup of coffee?
2. Is your peak energy in the afternoon, what about evening?
3. Do you have an hour for lunch break?
4. Do you have a fitness center at work? Or stairs, area to walk nearby, park nearby?
5. Do you have a Gym Membership?
6. What could you do for exercise at home?

Morning people, make a commitment and carve some time out in the morning to exercise. If you have a gym membership, go to the gym before work! If no membership, learn about bodyweight exercise, stretching, walk/job, find some things you can do without leaving home!

Here are some examples of body weight exercise, no Gym required!

Not a morning person? That’s ok,  lets figure out what’s best for you! If you have an hour lunch break at work, this is an untapped resource in your available time every work day. If your employer has a fitness center, that is awesome, use it! A lot of people do not have this resource, but please consider the following:

• Stair Climbing
• Areas to Walk/Jog Outside Work
• Parks
• Fitness Center Close to Work

Chances are, there is something you can do as physical activity, at or nearby work. Figure out what that could be for you, and build it into your routine!

If lunch is half an hour, or exercise is not realistic for you based on demands at work, consider late afternoon/evening options. Could you:

• Stop at the Gym on your way home from work?
• Exercise at Home after work?
• Exercise after Dinner?

Tip 4- Start Small!

When you are making a commitment to find time to exercise, be realistic with yourself. Instead of committing to 5 days per week right away, maybe start with 2 days per week, and hold yourself accountable until that becomes a habit for you. Once you hold a routine and start seeing results, that is a great time to add more days of the week, different exercises, or higher intensity.

Here are some quick tips on where to start building your exercise routine.

Tip 5-Track Your Progress!

Make sure that you keep a record of your exercise routine, either write it down or track digitally. Start by making a plan each week, and then make a record on how you did as you go through the week day by day. This system will help hold you accountable to your plan, and also show your progress, providing motivation!

In Summary

The first thing we all need to do is make the decision to stop using busy as an excuse to not prioritize health and fitness. Once we make this commitment to ourselves, we can:

1. Track How Time is Currently Managed
2. Make a Morning Routine (Even if Not Exercise)
3. Find Time to Exercise
4. Make a Plan-Start Small
5. Track Progress

Time to get out there and make it happen!