Getting Through the "Not Enough Time" Excuse

How to stop making time an excuse, how to find more time, and why it is important.

I often hear women, especially moms, say "I don't have time", "I'm too busy" or even "I can't be consistent enough". Therefore, I want to help those women and moms break through that barrier.

The first thing you can do is ask yourself these two key questions:

1) What is your mental and physical health like currently? (What do you want that to look like if you're not happy with it?)

Your mental and physical health matter. We all know the benefits of regular exercise, include improved cardiovascular health, better mood, increased energy levels, and enhanced mental clarity. We also know that investing time in your health now can lead to fewer health issues down the road.

Remember working out doesn't always require a significant time commitment. Even just 20-30 minutes of exercise a few times a week can make a noticeable difference in health and fitness levels.

2) What is your true, deep, important why? (Not just "I want to look better", superficial why's often fail. So think, I want to avoid assisted living facilities, or I need to be agile for my grandkids.)

Try using a list of ALL the reasons you are considering working out, write them down, put them where you can see them often, and remind yourself of them frequently.

Self-care is essential for overall happiness and productivity. Taking time for yourself through exercise can have a positive ripple effect on other areas of life.

The second thing you can do is going to be taking some time to evaluate your current schedule and use of time.

Start by writing down your day and week. Be willing to get detailed. If you spend 16 minutes scrolling Instagram, write it down. If you spend 23 minutes eating lunch, write it down. Really, truly try and get the most detailed and realistic view of your days.

Now, right a list of priorities and goals (not just fitness), such as time working, time with kids, time with spouse, etc. Use your previous tracking to work on this. Look at your days, what part of each day is a MUST do, what is a SHOULD do, what is a MAYBE do, and what can be DITCHED?

Then, I want you to write a second list of goals and priorities if there are no limits. No time constraints, no money issues, no kids etc. What do you REALLY want to prioritize?

Finally, compare both of the lists and your schedule, does it all match? Are you spending enough time on your MUST do, you SHOULD do, etc.? Or are you spending much of your time on the things that could be Ditched?

After you evaluate your daily schedule you need to identify pockets of time that may be wasted or that could be used for exercise instead. Try and multitask, like going for a walk while listening to a podcast or doing bodyweight exercises during TV commercial breaks.

Exercise is an investment in yourself. Just like you allocate time for work, family, and other responsibilities, you should also allocate time for your own well-being.

Remember, the goal is not to overhaul your entire schedule to make room for exercise. However, it is to find smaller ways to start making it a habit.

Don't forget that a short workout now is adding minutes and years to your life with your kids and grandkids later.

OTHER TIPS:

Flexible Options: Find exercises that can be done anywhere, such as bodyweight exercises, yoga, or even quick high-intensity interval training (HIIT) sessions. You won't necessarily need to go to a gym to start seeing benefits.
Social Aspect: Find a workout buddy, join a class, or join Moms Fit Life. Having a social commitment can make it more likely that you'll stick to your exercise routine.
Positive Mindset: Start viewing exercise as a break from your daily routine rather than an extra chore. It can be a time to clear your mind, relieve stress, and boost your overall well-being.
Goal Setting: Set realistic fitness goals. Having clear objectives can make the time spent exercising feel purposeful and motivating.
Consistency over Intensity: Even short, regular exercise sessions can lead to significant improvements over time.
Tracking Progress: Keep track of your workouts and progress (think weights used, reps, and sets). Seeing tangible improvements can be highly motivating.
Prepare Ahead: Lay out clothes the night before, do meal prep, create a routine, work on sleep hygiene, and add small things one at a time.

Live Life Confidently,
Jen