Finding Time for Exercise - You CAN Do It!

Have you ever said to yourself “I wish I could exercise but I don’t have time?” I know I have. Then it becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, and soon you give up trying to find time. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Help has just arrived!

 There are 4 THINGS YOU CAN DO TODAY to help you find time to run/walk.
1.  Set your fitness goal.
2.  Examine your schedule.
3.  Identify the obstacles.
4.  Find your solutions.

Sounds simple, and it is. If you can take some time to go through these simple steps, you can put running, or any exercise, into your busy day and keep it there. Set yourself up for success.

1.  Set your goal.  This is the most important step of all.  You won’t have the motivation to get out there if you don’t have a goal.  Whether it is to reduce stress, lose weight, train for a road race, whatever it is - be as specific as you can.  A generalized and lofty goal will NOT keep you putting those shoes on and getting out the front door.
2.  Examine your schedule.   Be realistic!  You’ll need approximately 30-40 minutes 3-4 times a week.Now that you have a goal you need to fit it into your busy life.  Write down your daily routine and look hard at where your priorities are going.
3.  Identify the obstacles.  Why don’t you have time to do the exercise you want? (Be really honest here, no one is watching).  Once you know what the problem is you can start to fix it.  Find the solutions and be creative.
4.  Solutions. Here are some ideas:

• Wake up half an hour earlier to run in the morning.
• Have your spouse help get the kids ready while you run.
• Trade off with a neighbor or friend to watch your kids at home while you run for a half an hour.
• Let a chore go, and use that time to run. (The house will not fall apart!)

If you follow these simple guidelines you can be out there running and feeling great.

Vickie Leff is the author of RunnerMom. She’s a back of the pack runner who has completed 5 marathons (first one at 44!) very slowly. She has two teenage children who drive her crazy and was an oncology social worker for 15 years.  RunnerMom is available on Amazon.com.