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Gabby's Guide to Health & Fitness

Finding Time to Work Out

Apr 26 05:14am

I spend so much time doing the same old things that I think I just put my husband's clean underwear away from the laundry for what feels like the 639th time. The funny thing is it's 10 p.m. and my three daughters have just hit the hay, so this is a great time to do what can't wait for tomorrow.

It just gets me thinking about how much energy I choose to put into so many of the things that aren't really that important. Yes, they need to get done, but I could be doing so many things that would be better for me and my family. For one, how about getting to bed? We civilized people of this planet are not getting enough sleep. How about when I'm organizing just stopping and grabbing a book to read to my 4-year-old? Which of course leads me to running errands, getting my nails done, watching a favorite show or going online to catch up on the latest gossip.

Why can't people find enough time to workout? I just don't understand why it's not one of the top five most important things we do in our day/life. Take care of and love our families and friends, go to work or school, enjoy life, help someone out, and take care of our bodies. I'm sure you could switch something around, but you get my point.

After you read this, chart out what you do over the course of five days. Write down how much time is spent on the phone, at the computer for other purposes than work, making sure the house is perfect and so on. Is there a way to find that 30-45 minutes, 4-5 times a week to move your body?

You shouldn't do exercise at the sacrifice of spending quality time with loved ones; however, the quality of that time will improve the healthier and happier you are. The expression "you can't take it with you" is cliche. But in the end, isn't it about the quality of our relationships and experiences versus making sure all my emails are answered and my home is spotless?

I have a very wise friend, Katie, who said as she was leaving from a visit, "Don't invest in things. Invest in relationships and experiences." I'm going to take it one further and say invest in your own physical health (which of course includes your mental and spiritual well-being). And now I'm hitting the send button and heading to bed.

12 Comments Report Abuse

1. tramondem - Apr 26 07:54am

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS UPDATE! I was really waiting for it!

2. luvcts1 - May 08 01:42am

That is very, true. I find I need to write exercis on my to do list and it usually gets checked off along with everything else. Doing your normal cleaning routine could also be considered exercise if you do enough of it. Vaccuuming burns calories as does sweeping and even dusting if you are moving things. As long as you are off your butt more then you are on it and not over-eating, you should feel better about yourself. I used to get up a half hour earlier before work in order to ride my exercise bike, now, I don't work so it gets a bit more difficult to fit in.

3. darinatsu - May 10 07:31am

3 suggestions for finding time to work out:
1) If you have equipment at home/friend's/relative's house, try a little multi-tasking, like talking on the phone via speakerphone or headset when doing low-impact things like stretches or a moderately-paced walk on the treadmill or whatever else you can think of - this way, you've talked to at least one buddy/family member AND exercised and now you've accomplished 2 tasks in the same amount of time or even less than it would have taken to do each separartely!
2) Housecleaning helps, especially if it's vacuuming or scrubbing or mopping. However, don't overload your back with too many chores at once.
3) Whatever else you can think of where you can combine tasks with working out will help- a family walk after dinner, for example- catch up on everyone's day AND get some walking in!

4. darinatsu - May 10 07:43am

3 suggestions for finding time to work out:
1) Multi-tasking when you can- example: talk on the phone via speakerphone or headset while stretching or walking/slow running on the treadmill, either at home or at a friend's/relative's home or other not-too-public place
2) An after dinner family walk around the block/neighborhood- catch up on everyone's day AND get some walking/biking in!
3) Housecleaning- vacuuming, scrubbing, mopping - but not too much at once for your back.

5. leonard_marshall@sbcglobal.net - May 20 09:54am

How about you put your 4-year-old to bed before 10pm at night...most normal parents put their toddlers to bed by 8pm...I just found you an extra 2 hours, Einstein.

6. laughing_song - May 24 04:30am

My day starts with a houseful of people needing me, they are in and out of our home without a set schedule. I find it almost impossible to have "me" time or workout time. But I won't give up...

7. violetfey - May 27 02:48am

I try to do things on "my time." I covet my internal rhythms so much, because everyone always wants me to accomplish on their timetables, and I am animal enough! It is my responsibility to make sure I am not confined to the external mechanisms of time-management, especially so I can let go and watch the kids attempt to help themselves, and learn by watching me, instead of having me intervene (huge lesson!!!). Oddly enough, I have a much keener sense of humor which enhances my relationships, keeps me smiling and healthy, regulates my circulation, and cravings, and gives me a chance to take breathers without feeling pressure to return to the playing field of life. I always try to encourage people to start by listening to their own heartbeat. It will calm you down, separate you from the crowds, and start to regulate the speed of your thoughts.

8. baosab - May 29 03:15am

I find it almost impossible to workout in the evenings as I too have kids to bath and feed, etc. I have tried waking up early to walk but that only works for morning persons. What works for me is to walk during my lunchtime at work. Just by walking for 50 minutes, I get a good workout and enough aerobic steps.

I also log my miles at www.beewellmiles.com which helps motivate me to keep walking. The miles I log help benefit Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization (now known as Breast Cancer Network of Strength). The site also offers all kinds of free tools to track calories burned, calories gained from my meals, etc. I even found walking buddies in my neighborhood to walk on the weekends through a link they offer - really helps keep motivated! I can also map my route on a live satellite map to see how many miles I walk.

So I walk with a colleague at lunch during the week and with new walking friends on weekends. That seems to work for me.

9. dorothy.grover@sbcglobal.net - Jun 16 07:13am

Great comments. I don't understand why we find it so hard to set aside some exercise time. I have started on a "new" program of exercise a million times. Even knowing that it would help my heath situation doesn't motivate me (diabetes). I am going to start the chart and see if that can get me moving.

10. spidmariza - Jun 17 09:28pm

it is conforting to know i am not the only one!
overweight people tend to think everyone else is not having a difficult time dealing with it.... and hence tend to "forgive" our weak selves!
control is key