Since this topic is about saving time and being efficient I’ll get straight to the point: previously, I stated that I believe everyone has the time to workout. When we say that, we don’t realize that it all comes down to making exercise priority. Take my sister, for example. She was trying to balance married life, a baby, another baby on the way while she was completing med school. What a slacker, eh? Just kidding. She wasn’t a slacker, she just had other priorities (and understandably so).
But seriously, while this isn’t the reality for most of us, there are times when we just can’t find the time to workout. So, with that in mind, here are 5 life coaching tricks to find the time for exercise:
1. Plan for it.
Have a schedule ahead of time for when you’re going to exercise. If you wait for your day to open up this usually doesn’t happen as we get caught up in another one of our responsibilities. Think about it: I know exactly where I’ll be at certain times of the week each and every week such as Tuesday 7 pm and Sunday 9 am. There are certain things in my life that are standing appointments and I know to schedule other things around them. You can and should do the same with your exercise.
2. Hire help. Contract out. Trade services.
You don’t have to go as far as Tim Ferriss in “The 4 Hour Work Week” but you can look to lighten your load. Maybe there is someone that could do your yardwork. Or carpool the kids to sports. Or do your taxes. Brainstorm and think about all the things you do in a day.
Next, try and eliminate things on the list that don’t absolutely have to be done by you. At first we may feel that we have to do everything but there are probably lots of things you could pass on to someone else to free up some time.
3. Batch related items.
Set aside particular times of the day or days in particular for certain tasks. Maybe you do all of your banking on Wednesday at lunch. Or grocery shopping is a Thursday night task. Put items together where they logically save you time and can be paired with other similar tasks. Maybe you check your rental property, do your banking, and check the mail all on the same day because they are in the same part of town. Look at your list of tasks and see what you can batch together.
4. Make many meals at once.
I always make extra for left-overs. I always cut up the entire water melon or pineapple and put it in tupperware. When you bbq throw a few extra chicken breasts on the grill. There’s no extra work to do at this time but it saves you having to do it a second time.
5. Bring out the family.
Or your spouse, friend or whomever you like spending time with. You shouldn’t feel guilty about working out and this shouldn’t be a reason for you to miss a workout. You could do a hike together, or go swimming… do whatever it is you enjoy and get the others involved. You’ll have more fun doing it with people you like and you’ll scratch two things off your list at once.
Look to incorporate these 5 coaching tips into your life to free up some time for evercise.
Your coach,
Chris Collins
okanaganpeakperformance.com
‘always moving forward’
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