TOO BUSY? OR ARE YOU JUST AVOIDING IT?
Not having enough time for the gym is the most common reason for not going, but is there a hidden meaning in there?
Don’t get me wrong, todays lifestyle seems to be hectic to say the least, but could the “lack of time” be masking your true feelings? When most people dig a little deeper on their reasons for avoiding the introduction of fitness into their routine it often stems from a lack of motivation, low self-esteem, embarrassment, fear and a general lack of enjoyment.
If you were to disect your average day, you’ll find that most of us wouldn’t think twice about spending our time on social networks (the screen time app can be a scary reality check!) or watching generally unfulfilling television during their “busy schedule”. There is a reason for this though, they don’t pose a psychological barrier. You can’t “fail” at these tasks, they just happen. Worryingly they can worm they way into our daily routines without us even realising it, affecting our physical and emotional health.
In a world where everyone is on display, the pressure to be seen as “succeeding” can be truly overwhelming. You’ve seen those people on Instagram right? Perfect bodies, successful career, spotless household and 3 perfecly behaved darling children. We rarely see whats going on behind the often over edited and false display of their lives and this leads to an unfair comparison. Once we focus our attention on our lives and wellbeing without the pressure of comparing it to everyone else, it is easier to set and reach realistic personal goals.
“Fear” is often a common reason to avoid fitness, fear of failing or embarrassment. The real fear should be targeted at the results of ignoring the importance of fitness. A lot of people are in denial about their health, and introducing excercise can have a really positive effect on both physical and mental health. What you can expect to gain from taking you health off of the back burner, outweighs the health risks of ignoring it.
We have compiled a list of ways to help those with a busy lifestyle introduce fitness into their daily routines.
1. PLAN YOUR TIME
Sit down and disect your average day, half an hour that you spend scrolling through social media, or that time between finishing work and getting dinner on, possibly even in your lunch break? Decide on the best time to include your fitness and dedicate it to a workout, in your calendar, on your phone. Wherever you will see it regulary, this will help you to remain motivated and avoid forgetting it.
2. PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE
Most of us are guilty for aimlessly scrolling through social media or watching dull television, and it can quickly become a habit. I am not saying you can never go on social media again, but just take half an hour away from your devices a day to do something productive, join a fitness class, do a workout. Your mind and body will thank you for it. Spend more time focused on yourself instead of watching what everyone else is doing.
3. PRIORITISE YOUR TO-DO LIST
Your health should be pretty high up on your priority list, however other tasks seem to sneak their way to the top. Put down on paper what tasks you need to do and prioritise a section for excercise atleast 4 times a weeks, whether it is an exercise class, going for a walk or a swim at the beach.
4. ASK FOR HELP
Following on from the last point, do you feel like your to-do list is full of household chores and life admin? Get some help. Enlist the kids into doing some household chores, ask your other half to cook dinner a couple times a week, these are practical ways to take a few chores off of your hands so you can make time to work on yourself.
4. SOCIALISE AT THE SAME TIME
Catching up with friends on top of your busy schedule can seem impossible, “we must catch up soon” can be said back and forth to each other A LOT before finally getting together. Try inviting a friend to a fitness class once a week, or making them your gym parner.
5. CHANGE YOUR MINDSET
Most people have a negative association with excercise. “I don’t have time”, “I hate working out”, “Urgh, I can’t, I have to go to the gym”. Turn that frown upside down, Psychologists have suggested that by making a conscious decision to think differently about a subject for a week can actively change your outlook on the subject. Convince yourself you enjoy it and you will, you just may not have given yourself a chance to yet. Rephrase the way you think or talk about fitness, “I am making my health a priority”.
6. FIND A WORKOUT THAT WORKS FOR YOU
All of your friends do yoga but you hate it? Or maybe you see everyone doing weight training but find it boring. That is absolutely fine! It is unrealistic to assume that you are going to enjoy every form of fitness out there, so find one that you genuinely enjoy. Try a class, weight training or cardio, there is an exercise that you will love you just need to find it. You won’t necessarily enjoy the same class as your friends, but remember you’re working out for you, and you only.
7. START THE DAY RIGHT
You can never fully predict what is going to happen in your day, unexpected events arise and before you know it, it’s dark and you just want to cook dinner and go to bed. Exercising in the morning gets it out of they way. You also start the day with a sense of accomplishment which sets you on a positive and motivating start to the rest of the day.
8. MAKE THE MOST OF THE TIME YOU HAVE
If you are not blessed with time make the most out of your workout. You can still achieve results with short 20 minute workouts a few times a week. Just focus on exercises and routines which are high intensity.
9. SET SMALLER, REALISTIC GOALS
Setting smaller goals are more achievable. This doesn’t mean don’t dream big, but reaching and exceeding smaller goals gives you the positive reinforcement to keep going. By setting a huge goal you may feel like you’ll never get there. All progress takes work and dedication but by reaching small goals you allow yourself to see the progress you are making along the way.
10. TRY A PEDOMETER
If you are new to fitness it can seem like you don’t know where to start, or that you won’t be able to do it. By wearing a pedometer you may be surprised by how much you are already doing. It is also a great way to track your workouts and watch your progress, you’ll be surprised by how quickly your ability grows.