The juggle is real. I get it because I live it. Managing being a mom, a wife, a full time job, friends, family and working out – there is a lot to do, with very little time.
Time is such an important currency and unfortunately it’s limited. So lately I’ve prioritized ME, making time for working out and using that time to level set, think and thank myself for everything I do.
As a working mom, I’m mostly giving, giving, giving. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE to give. But I’ve also learned that when I take care of myself, I’m a happier, healthier and more sane version of me, which means I can give more and it’s a better quality always.
For me, dedicating time to health and fitness has been a real game changer, so here are my tips for carving out time for working out. And trust me, it’s not all about the outside result…the best stuff is what happens on the inside!
Make it a Priority. Say “yes” to getting healthy and fit and keep saying it. Taking the first step is the hardest part, but once you start, it gets easier and easier. For me, working out has become such a mental strength. I feel strong both physically and mentally. I find when I work out, I am less stressed about things. It just sets a good foundation. I’ve actually started working out a few days a week in the morning before work and it always makes for a great way to start the day. By 8am I’ve gotten a full workout, burned 700+ calories and the actual day hasn’t really begun. I’m in a much better mood and if things pop up during the day, I can handle them much more calmly because I started the day with a sweat!
Stay Committed. Schedules change, things come up and not every week is going to be perfect. However, staying the course is so important. I have committed (and pay for) three training sessions a week. So I move mountains to make that work. There are weeks where my workouts are better than others. There are times when I feel strong and energetic and others where it takes me forever to get through one circuit with breaks in between. But I show up and I put in the work. Remember, doing something is always better than doing nothing.
Find a Work Out Buddy. This is a big one! My friend Wendy was the one who had the awesome idea more than a year ago to begin working with a personal trainer and invited me along. It was the best decision ever. With a workout buddy, you have someone who holds you accountable and vice versa. It’s also more fun to challenge each other and you get to spend quality time with a friend. So it’s a win win.
Have a Travel Fitness Plan. I travel a good bit for work and for fun. But just because you’re traveling does not mean working out goes out the window. I always pack workout clothes and either visit the hotel gym or do body weight exercises in my hotel room. Traveling already messes with your routine, so the more closely you can stick to your regular fitness regimen, the better you will feel!
Find Pockets of Time for Mini Workouts. There are so many exercises you can do just about anywhere. Working in a set of squats, push ups or lunges throughout the day keeps you moving and you can do these any time! It’s a good way to keep the blood pumping and avoid sitting at a desk all day.
Invest in Cute Athleisure. Once upon a time (in college) I would wear whatever to work out. Old t-shirt and soffe shorts (remember those…) would usually do. But I find that dressing for the occasion makes working out even more fun. These days there are so many cute athleisure looks and it truly makes a difference. When you look good and feel good, your work outs are bound to reap the rewards. Another bonus, you can go from gym to work or out and about with cute apres gym gear!
Track Your Progress. Nothing beats seeing the progress in pics or on paper. You see yourself everyday, so sometimes the strides you make are not as obvious to you. That’s why taking measurements and photos is so important. You can see the difference in a tangible way. My other favorite tool is the MyZone app. I wear a heart rate monitor/belt when I work out, so I know how I’m pe performing every step of the way. After every work out I receive an email with tons of data from length of workout to calories burned, times in each heart rate zone, etc. At the end of each month, I get a report of my performance and that’s where I really see the time and effort materialized. It’s exciting and motivating to see all the hard work as a trackable report. I burned almost 10,000 calories last month and worked out for over 2,100 minutes. That keeps me going month after month!
Bottom line, being healthy and getting fit should be a lifestyle. There needs to be a mind shift (and it will happen with consistency) where working out is essential and part of your routine. Just like you need to eat, sleep, shower and work…it makes that list. That’s when the magic happens. When it becomes less of a chore and simply a part of who you are.
Happy Sweating,
Ivette
Ivette Faulkner 