My husband has been traveling a lot lately. When he's gone I'm a single (married), working mother of 3 small, active little girls. Time is in short supply (which is why I haven't posted a blog in awhile!). There never seems to be enough hours in the day to get done what needs to get done.
Over the years, I have found that breaking up my tasks into parts of the day helps me to get more done and to stay on top of the things I need to get done. And for any parent of little ones, you know its wishful thinking to think you'll get more than 20minutes into something before being interrupted because someone wants a snack, someone needs to go potty, someone is bored, someone is fighting with someone else, and the list goes on! I can see the nodding heads from here!
During the last few weeks this strategy has worked not just for household and work items, but for my workouts as well. Not only have I been able to get in my entire daily workout (foam rolling, cardio, strength, stretching), but I've seen improvements in endurance, strength and explosiveness. I've maintain my weight and improved my workouts. And as an added benefit, I'm less stressed over HOW I'm going to get my workout in because I'm not looking for a full hour or two hours, its just a matter of WHEN I'll get in my workout(s)!
To give you an example, the other day I had to be out of the house earlier than normal. Hubby was traveling and the sitter was showing up early and would have the additional task that day of getting our eldest off to school. There was no way I could get in my whole workout in the morning hours before my kiddos are up like I normally do (and I'm already up at 5am for a workout as it is!). So I got up, like normal, and completed my foam rolling and strength workouts. Then it was time to prep for the sitter and get the girls up and started on the morning routine. I left for work and started my "work" day. I had a half hour to 45minute break between clients, so I went for a quick 3 mile run. Knowing I had to get my run in, get back and get changed, then get our middle child to school and then off to see another client, made me pick up my running pace. My run had to be more efficient! At the end of the day, after dinner, before the start of the bedtime routine, I put on a favorite show for the girls and got in some stretching. Sure it would have been better to have stretched right after my run, but I didn't have the time then. The way I figure it, stretching after a workout is best, but stretching at all is better than not doing it at all!
It may not have been the way my workout was planned out. But I completed it all and have seen benefits to boot! Some of that is by way of just changing things up. Some is as a result of needing to be more efficient as I don't have all kinds of time. Some of it is the ability to focus on one thing because its only for a short period of time, rather than a long workout where after an hour+, not only is your body fatiqued, but so is your mind, concentration and focus.
And that's just one example, the other day I couldn't get out for a ride, so I put the bike on the trainer. Couldn't get in a swim, so I did pilates. Couldn't get out for run, so I ran circles in the house or completed high intensity intervals. In the past I've done stair workouts, on-line workouts, dvds, you name it I've tried it all in the name of not missing a workout!
The key is working with the time that you have and not using it as an excuse. We all know them. We've all used them in the past. And we've all paid the result of not putting in a full effort: bonking before the finishline, not finishing the race, not losing the weight, still having flabby (insert body part here) when summer comes, etc We can choose to believe that our "excuse" is valid and true. And it may be (I don't have the time? I don't have the money? I'm not strong enough? etc), but so is the fact that if you want to make it happen, you'll find the time, the money, the belief that you are worth and capable of so much more than you could ever imagine. Whatever YOUR excuse, someone, somewhere is dealing with the same obstacles and they're making it happen.....and SO CAN YOU!
So here's your challenge.....How will you change your habits to rid yourself of your excuses and make your goals, your dreams a reality? Post to me below or on Facebook (www.facebook.com/beyourbestpersonaltraining), email me (jocelyn@beyourbestpersonaltraining.com) and let me know! Its the first step to overcoming your excuses and getting your closer to your goals and dreams!
Comments