No Time to Exercise? Tips to Get it Done!

Talk to the average mom out there and she'll tell you she doesn't have time to exercise.  How is that possible you ask?  We have 24 hours a day to get it in so what's the big deal?  I can't tell you the times I've told my clients that they have to fit it in.  I do, right?  I have my good days but every now and then my days looks like this:

  • Wake up - 6 a.m.
  • Quite time/morning devotional - 6:30 a.m.
  • 1st round of kid drop offs  - 7 a.m.
  • Morning time with the the little ones - 7 - 8:30 a.m.
  • Travel time - 30 minutes
  • Appointments - 9-12 p.m.
  • Lunch - 12-1 p.m.
  • Necessary errands (no Nordstrom runs) - 1- 2 p.m.
  • Blog/write/catch-up on email - 2 - 3:15 p.m.
  • Kid Carpool - 3:30 - 4:45 p.m.
  • Dinner prep and eat - 5 - 6:30 p.m.
  • Clean-up and prep for next day - 6:30 - 7:30 p.m.
  • Bedtime rituals (story, "I want juice" requests, drama) - 7:30 - 9:00 p.m.
  • Write/Blog/email/FB and everything else! - 9 - 9:45 p.m.
  • Downtime with hubby - 10 - 11 p.m (at the latest)
  • Lights out - 11 p.m.

Now, take a look at my schedule for this day and do you see a workout anywhere?  Nope.  The reality is that sometimes it's absolutely crazy to get a workout in even with the best intentions.  It's challenging and frustrating especially when you know you need to do it!

So what do you do?  Give up?  Never!  Try harder?  Sort of.  Drop excuses?  I know, you're not making any; it's just been a crazy day.  Here's the deal; plan to workout everyday or at least do something active.  Whether it's walking fast in the mall during those necessary shopping trips or doing jumping jacks while you cook (yes, I've done it) take advantage of the time you do have to workout.  A high-intensity, time friendly routine like the Spartacus workout will do just fine.  The week that I had the schedule listed above I worked out 4 days; 3 days were strength training with Kettlebells and jumping rope (kick butt!) and another day was walking fast during my errands.  Was it a "perfect" workout week?  Of course not, but my schedule is bound to get crazy at any given point and time.  I just stress less about it.

By the way, I enjoy life even with the crazy schedule.  If you haven't done it already, log your time and see if there are any areas to squeeze in a workout on a perfect day.  168 Hours: You Have More Time Than You Think has been a great help to me.

How do you deal with schedule blips and workout snags?

Blog, Blog, Exercise, ExerciseValerie MerriweatherComment