I am quite frequently asked how I find the time to workout as much as I do. Many people think I enjoy it so much I just can’t do without it...not. After all this time and all this exercise, I still don’t like it. Yet, I always find time to fit it into my life. Some people think I have the time because I don’t have an office job or because it is somewhat part of my career. Neither of those answers is correct. I find the time to workout because if I didn’t I would gain weight. I want to be healthy and I don’t want to get fat again. It’s that simple.

That’s really more about WHY I workout, but it doesn’t answer where I find the time. For me the exercise really needs to happen first thing in the morning. If I put it off at all, I get busy doing many other things. By the time I think about getting to they gym, I use the excuse that it’s just too late now, etc. As a way to change things up (and make up for some bad eating last week) I decided to get to the gym every afternoon this week in addition to my morning workouts. I have found in the past that the best way to fit in extra workouts is to plan ahead and be organized. I have to figure out what I would be doing during the extra workout time and find a way to do it at another time. My afternoon workout is at a time when I am usually watching Oprah or prepping dinner. My solutions were easy. I record Oprah and watch it later, perhaps during reruns. This has been beneficial in two ways. Not only am I finding time to get in the exercise, I’m also watching less TV. I realized that I watch every episode of Oprah out of habit. Now that my DVR is getting full faster, I realize that some of the shows are just not worth my time...especially those horrible live episodes on Fridays!

My other task during this time is dinner prep. This is the one that takes some extra planning. I have made some crock pot dinners before my morning workout so I don’t have to worry about dinner later. I have also been creative in turning leftovers into quick new meals the next day. I do some chopping the night before or while making lunch for my preschooler, and I make extra of anything my family really likes for leftover night.

Now, apply this to your own life. So many people tell me they would work out if they just had the time. No they wouldn’t. They would find other things to fill that time. We all have 24 hours in our days. The only real difference between those of us who work out and those of you who don’t is whether or not we make exercise a priority in our lives. One of my lessons for my clients is all about finding time in your day to exercise. Most of the time it means giving up something else in your day. For many people, that thing is TV time. It could also mean getting up earlier in the morning, getting off facebook and email, or not going straight home after work. You have to decide when you are going to work out, reschedule or cancel things during that time, and just do it. Exercise has to become a priority in your life. Once it is, you’ll find the time. Of course, you’ll eventually need some extra time for shopping for new clothes once you lose some of your extra weight. Just don’t give up your work out time for shopping.

These are just a few suggestions for fitting in exercise. You can find more on my website or learn even more if you become a client.

Tags: Time to workout