We all know fitness is important for our health but finding the time for the fitness we need can be tough! There are some things you can do to find the time and make fitness a priority.
My number one reason I don’t end up working out is time. My time management skills aren’t the best and I just have so much I’m trying to fit into my day and fitness just ends up pushed off of the list.
Not only is fitness generally important for our health but I also want to lose weight and I have fibromyalgia. Many people with fibromyalgia find that keeping up with fitness can help reduce symptoms. Arthritis, diabetes and heart disease all run in my family also increasing how important fitness is for me. I can’t just keep letting time get in my way.
Fibromyalgia and some heart issues I have also can make it hard to make fitness I priority. When you hurt or you can’t push as hard as you’d like to it can be discouraging. Making fitness a habit can help with motivation when otherwise it’s difficult.
Finding Time for Fitness
Since the first step to getting in shape is working fitness into your day, I thought I’d share some things that have helped me. It can take time to find what will work for you, just keep trying.
1) Write it down!
Put exercise on your on the top of your to-do list. I have fitness stickers for my planner to help me see when I worked out. The planner I use, Happy Planner also offers a fitness planner add-on to help you keep track of your fitness. However, you plan to be sure to find a way to keep fitness in a place you will see often.
2) Pick a time and stick to it.
I have found that working out late morning is early enough it doesn’t get forgotten later in the day but not so early that I don’t have the energy. If at all possible have a set time each day to workout. That helps make it a habit. You can also set up a reminder on your phone to tell you to start your workout. Adding into your morning routine can also be helpful.
3) Try different workouts.
Find the type of workout that works for you and you enjoy. I like to mix things up because I get bored doing one thing all the time. Sometimes I will swim, other times I go to the local gym and use their equipment and walk the track, I play tennis with my husband, I go on walks around the neighborhood, do some yoga, or just use some fitness videos from Amazon Video or Youtube.
Quick Note: When I do yoga I really like to use a natural yoga mat. Many yoga mats contain harmful chemicals so look for a safer option like a natural cork yoga mat.
4) Find some equipment free workouts.
It’s a good idea to find a few equipment free workouts even if you have equipment at home or belong to a join. You may have times when you can’t use equipment and it’s a good idea to have a workout you can do those times as well. If you are an Amazon Prime member you can find a lot of fitness videos included in your membership on Amazon Video.
Additional Resources
- Making Your Health a Priority
- Creating Healthy Habits
- How to Eat an All Organic Diet for Less Than $200 a Month
- How Women in the 1950’s Stayed Fit and Trim
How do you make sure to work fitness into your day? What struggles have you had? Share in the comments, let’s help each other find solutions to our problems.
Elise
September 14, 2015 at 12:32 pmAwesome tips! I also find it helps to get someone else involved. Usually that is my kids. I find if I promise them we will go on a bike ride I have to keep my promise (no matter how much I want to bribe them out of it with a trip the ice cream store instead!)
Lisa Sharp
September 14, 2015 at 12:57 pmGreat tip! One of my friends and I plan to take advantage of the nice fall weather and hike at a nearby national forest. Exercise is more fun with others! 🙂
T Austin
September 14, 2015 at 7:21 pmI find it so hard to fit in fitness. I tried to do some you tube videos if I can but mostly I’m just wiped!!
Lisa Sharp
September 14, 2015 at 10:41 pmIt can be really hard but it’s important. My doctor has said even 5 minutes a day helps. 🙂
Marietta DeGrant
September 15, 2015 at 12:08 amThese are great tips. I support the view of writing down in your planner that you need to exercise. Having these resources would be wonderful
Lisa Sharp
September 15, 2015 at 10:54 amI’m glad you liked the tips. Yes having it written down can really help! Thanks for coming by!
Rebekah
September 15, 2015 at 11:27 amI actually love working out. I find it releases stress and gives me energy! The only way I will fit it into my life is to prioritize it and plan it into my day. I try to work out or run early in the morn before my husband goes to work. I love starting the day that way. If I can’t I try to do it when my kids are done with school, but this isn’t usually ideal. I also go to a boot camp a couple times a week and that helps keep me accountable when I don’t feel motivated. Great tips!
Lisa Sharp
September 16, 2015 at 9:34 amIt is good for stress. I used to lift weights when I was stressed but got out of the habit, I need to get back to it. I’m not a morning person so I find later morning works better for me. You have to try to see what works best for you because it varies so much.
Thanks for stopping by!
Grace
September 15, 2015 at 1:39 pmThese are great. It is so important to get activity in your day even when life feels busy. There are so many benefits. Your tip about picking a time and sticking to it is the most important for myself. If there is any wiggle room on if/when I do it, then I’ll make excuses not to. If it’s just built into my schedule, I can stick to it much easier.
Lisa Sharp
September 16, 2015 at 9:35 amGlad you like the tips! It’s so easy to make excuses!
Emily
September 15, 2015 at 7:47 pmDiabetes and other health issues run in my family too, so I know working out is important. I do it first thing in the morning (after coffee) because I love getting it done with so I can move on with my day. And Yes, I love YouTube for free workouts!
Lisa Sharp
September 16, 2015 at 9:36 amIsn’t YouTube great?! I really like PopSugar’s videos. Exercise is so important but it’s critical when you are at risk for things like diabetes.
Noemi @ Wealthy in Health
September 16, 2015 at 3:43 amGreat tips! I work as a trainer and I usually suggest the same things. They seem to work 😉 However, I, myself, am unable to workout in the morning. I always try to put some extra 10-20 minute yoga session before I start my day but I’m the very opposite of a morning person so I repeatedly fail 😀
Lisa Sharp
September 16, 2015 at 9:37 amI’m not a morning person either, at all ha. I work out at 10 a.m. Honestly, I’d prefer later but if I wait until after work I often don’t get to it. I do try and do some yoga or stretching after work since I sit on the computer for hours.
Maria
September 16, 2015 at 1:38 pmThese are great points! Time has been such a crux when it comes to working out for me too! I love your tips about picking a time and sticking to it. I’ve done that for the past year and a half and it’s done wonders. I work out first thing in the morning with my favorite tv show, so there’s no excuses. Thanks for sharing these! It very helpful, especially for those who are extremely busy with their days 🙂
Lisa Sharp
September 18, 2015 at 7:49 amI like working out while watching TV as well. It’s one time I don’t feel guilty about watching TV during the day. 🙂
Karen Patten
October 18, 2015 at 12:14 pmI’m such a kid at heart – I love the idea of giving myself star stickers 🙂 These are great tips and I agree that finding time is the biggest challenge! Thanks for the tips!
Lisa Sharp
October 18, 2015 at 2:41 pmGlad you liked the tips. I love stickers as well. 🙂