It's only a matter of time

We all have the same amount of time.  No one has any more hours in a day than the next.  Of course, that doesn’t mean that one person’s to-do list is equal to the next. My point is the excuse “I don’t have time” should be reevaluated.  Whether you’re a college student, first time parent or juggling older kids involved in every activity under the sun, we are all busy.   Sometimes it just feels too impossible to squeeze in time for working out.  Trust me, I get it.  However, think about those small indulgences you do make time for.  Say for instance, that tv show you schedule your life around so you don’t miss an episode?  Or how much time do you really spend on Facebook?  Where is all of that time you’re investing taking you?  Save the excuses.  It’s not about having time, but making time.  Since it’s just me and my three hooligans I find it challenging to find time to work on me.  Sure it would be much easier to just give up on the idea of being fit, it’s a battle I fight internally on a regular basis.  However, since I do push myself to exercise I find myself becoming a better parent.  I have more energy, more patience, more stamina.  I’m able to tackle more in a day than if I wasn’t making better choices with my diet and workout routine.  I could tell them how to become productive until I’m blue in the face, but it’s my actions that speak louder and by showing them that I make it a priority I’m setting the example for them.  The impression I want to leave in their minds ismy choice to create.  When I’m out and about talking to people and I tell them I have three kids the look I see on their faces is comical.  It’s almost like society perceives being a single parenting as an impairment.  But the truth is it doesn’t matter who you are or your marital status, we’re all faced with the same things every day: problems and opportunities.  The only thing that sets us apart is how we chose to handle them.  In my case, I have to figure out what to do with kids when I want to go for a jog.  On my long runs it’s better to leave them with family or friends for an hour or so, but if that’s not an option, there’s always the track.  In warmer weather they have a blast playing kickball or running around, but when it’s cold it gets a little more challenging.  I’m not a fan of using our tablets as babysitters and just sitting in the car gets a little boring for them so I print out worksheets (enough to keep them occupied for a while) and make it a competition to see who can finish their stack first.  If that’s not an option there’s always reading books =)   And if those options aren’t feasible, I have a perfectly good lunch hour to take advantage of.   If you can, try to do some jumping jacks or squats in the bathroom each time you go.  Squeeze that cardio in every chance you get.  It will make a difference.  My house isn’t perfectly clean, my laundry isn’t always caught up, my car is ridiculous at times, but you know what?  I feel better than I have in years!  Twenty years down the road it’s not going to matter if I kept a perfect house.  What’s important is that I’m healthy and my family is happy. Make your time count for something positive.  Stop wasting precious minutes on meaningless tv dramas and social networks that literally suck your life away. If you just can’t cut it all out, get up and move while you’re watching it.  The more you get your heart rate up the happier you’re going to feel