But I Don’t Have Time to Exercise

How can you become fit if you don’t have time?

Today’s guest blog post is from Ariana Dane. Ariana Dane is a nationally certified Personal Trainer with 12 years experience in fitness instruction and nutritional guidance. Through her 25+ years experience as an entrepreneur she brings great insight into Business Growth & Development Coaching as well. She is also a certified Life Strategies Coach. As a 52 year old working wife and mother, she stays fit while managing the needs of her family and career.

The most common complaint I hear from my working mom clients is that they are out of shape due to lack of time. Well ladies, I am a working mother, and I have time to work out and stay in shape. It’s all about prioritizing, managing time, and most importantly, insisting that your family respect your needs.

Here are the top 3 excuses for why you think you can’t work out:

• Between the demands of the job, driving to and from kids’ schools and events, overseeing homework, shopping, cooking, cleaning – there’s no time for exercise.
• Repeat # 1, and add, I’m exhausted.
• I have no money to join a gym and I have no space or equipment at home.

Now, let me address these three excuses:

• Everyone can fit 20 minutes into any given day to exercise if they prioritize and share the burden of child care and chores around the house (even if you are a single parent). I have clients who have as three or more children at home. They teach their kids to help with household chore, which frees up 20 minutes for exercise.
• Did you know that a 20-minute workout can reverse exhaustion for several hours?  Proper placement of this 20 minute interval in the most effective time of your day can be instrumental in giving you more energy for the rest of the day.
• If you can stand in a space wide enough to hold your arms out straight from your sides and your legs in a wide lunge, you can work out! If you can afford between $3-$20 for a set of 3 resistance bands and two gallon water bottles, you can work out!

The truth is that you don’t value your health and needs as much as you should.  You probably don’t like exercise all that much and it seems like a chore. But look at it this way – 20 minutes of movement can result in increased energy, fat (weight) loss, lowering of blood pressure, cholesterol, improved heart rate and blood flow, and better mood.  Best of all, you’ll be teaching your children that health and fitness are a necessity.

Don’t forget about nutrition! Good nutrition often comes down to time management. Carve out time to plan menus, shop, and do some food prep. Involve the whole family in this. You’ll be teaching essential tools to all your kids – that of nutritional literacy, planning skills, and the ability to cook. With proper planning your meals can be tasty, healthy, affordable, and quick. Not all fast food has to come from a drive-through.

So stop hesitating, and make it happen! It’s easier than you think. Contact me here for custom-designed workouts or meal plans. I can also be reached by email at ariana@danelifefitness.com.

Thanks, Ariana!