Make Time, Don't Find it or You'll Always be Looking

Finding time to workout can be a challenge for many parents. If you're like us and  have young children, multiple children and a hectic/unpredictable schedule, or even if you're not like us at all, it can be a truly daunting task to get into a routine of exercising, on the reg.

But excuses are easy to come by. There will always be a reason why you COULD skip your workout, why you SHOULD skip it and/or why you will wait until another day. We know, because we've made all the excuses you made. We probably always will make an excuse for why we should just sit on the couch and rest, instead of moving our bodies for 30 extra minutes a day. But we have to break through the excuses, and make more time for ourselves. Not FIND time, MAKE it. If we keep waiting for the "right" time, it will never come. We'll always be waiting for time to come along, while we systematically waste it all away.

So tell us, are you ready to make time for you today?

Here are a few ways we make time for a few good workouts every week:

1.) We ask ourselves ...

• Am I injured in a way that it could harm my body more to workout?
• Will I regret working out? Or will I regret NOT making the time?

2.) Timing is everything..

Since we have kids, and two of them are younger than three, it can be hard to find a time to workout when they are occupied (and safe) or asleep, during the day. Our solutions:

• Workout early in the morning before they wake up. I know, this seems ungodly, and in our house, it means getting up before 5am, in order to get a 30 minute workout! But if it needs to be done, it needs to be done.
• Workout after bedtime.This is how we typically get in our workout time, together. Our kids go to bed at 7-730pm during the week and 730-8pm on the weekends. This leaves PLENTY of time for a good workout, shower and some time to relax before we head off to catch some Zzz's.
• Trade time. Whether you're married, or single, you could always attempt to find someone to trade some time with. Just ask a friend, or significant other to watch the kids for a set amount of time while you workout and then you take the kids for them to do the same. (or whatever else they may want to get done.)

3.) Workout with your kids!...

These days, there are many workout dvds and exercise programs that can cater to children. Even just a good game of tag can be an exceptional cardio workout. So try to do something WITH your kids, if you're finding it hard to exercise alone.

Use one or all of these tips, and I'm sure, whether you have kids or not, whether you're married or single, and whether you are just starting to workout, or training for an event, you will be able to MAKE the time for what you need.