No more excuses – balance your time and get fit

November 5, 7:46 AMRichmond Work-Life Balance ExaminerLori Amirshahi

Next

Comment Print Email RSS Subscribe

Subscribe

Get alerts when there is a new article from the Richmond Work-Life Balance Examiner. Read Examiner.com's terms of use.

Email Address   Include other special offers from Examiner.com Terms of Use

Find new physicial limits - it inspires you to push the boundaries in other aspects of your life.

(AP Photo/Yves Logghe)

It’s the third time the alarm clock has sounded off now - splitting through the darkness in its rather pushy reminder mode, causing your significant other to roll over in frustration and turn it off permanently. You sigh and roll over as well, convincing yourself it’s too late to get a good workout in so you might as well sleep late and head to the gym after work. But by the time 5 o’clock rolls around, you're tired. And hungry. You go home, grab a quick bite, kick up your feet for just a few minutes and recharge those internal batteries a bit, in preparation for the vigorous workout ahead. Surprise - once relaxation sets in, you start to lose steam. “Maybe I'll create a schedule three days a week, and stick to that instead” you say to yourself as you grab a quick snack, get into a pair of favorite sweats and hunker in for the night .

Yes, that’s it, you'll start tomorrow. And so the cycle begins…

Here’s how to get past the traditional exercise hurdles and get yourself fit in the process:

Start by losing the excuses…

• I’m not a morning person
• I’m too tired to exercise at night
• It’s too late by the time I get home and get the kids taken care of
• I need a partner; I’m unmotivated on my own
• The kids extracurricular activities make it hard to fit in exercise
• I don’t like going to the gym, especially when I look the way I do now
• I’m uncoordinated, I can’t do any of the stuff they teach you at gyms
• I don’t know where to start

Then focus your efforts and make it happen…

• If it’s truly important to get fit, you will find time and energy to work out
• Make yourself a priority – your family deserves a well-balanced mom, and that happens when you put yourself first from time to time
• Write down a schedule that works best for you and STICK WITH IT
• If time management is a recurring challenge, seek solutions that work for your lifestyle:
• Hire a sitter 2-3 days a week
• Join a 24-hour gym or one with daycare options
• Put significant other in charge of childcare occasionally
• Look for local clubs that align with your passions (hiking, biking, camping, etc.)
• Vary workouts to your schedule (running close to home, one short/long workout day, etc.)

No more excuses – there are more options for staying fit and active today than ever before. Give yourself the gift of health and get moving.