No Time For Your Health?

"I don't have time" is the number one excuse given from those not taking charge of their health. We are all given the same 24 hours in a day. What is the secret of those who do find time? It is what you choose to do with your time that counts.

Yes, there are certain things in life that can come up and make it more challenging, can take more time than others and can lead you into thinking that you don't have the "time". BUT, it is all about how you look at the hours in your day that make all the difference. You realize, it isn't about not having enough time. It is about how you prioritize the things you do each day, what motivates you and what you really want. 

You make time for eating, sleeping, work, school, family time, friend time, happy hours, dinners, watching TV and looking at your phone. If your health is important to you and you really want to make a change, you need to place it at the top of your priority list instead of the bottom. How you choose to spend your time defines your priorities. Usually, when someone says they don't have the time, what they really mean is "it is not a priority". It is not what we say is a priority, it is what we do that is a priority. 

There IS a way to incorporate wellness into your life, no matter how busy you are. You just need to exercise all the different options that are available. A great place to start is to take a time audit. Really look at your day and write down how many hours you spend working, commuting, sleeping, having family time and running errands. Where do the rest of your hours go? Maybe you need to start saying "no" to more things that zap your energy and "yes" to sleep, exercise and eating healthy instead.

Take away that hour long TV show and go on a 30-minute walk and cook a quick, healthy dinner instead. Take away the hours of mindless phone scrolling and go to the grocery store and pack your snacks for the week. Going to your kid's sports practice after work? Pack a PBJ and some veggies for dinner instead of grabbing fast food and then walk around the field for more steps.

Time is our most precious resource. It is amazing how much more time you seem to have when you minimize the things that aren't important to make room for the things that are.  

"If you don't take care of your health today, you will be forced to take care of your illness tomorrow." ~Deepak Chopra


Here are a few quick tips to help you make the "time" for your health:
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• Ditch the all-or-nothing mentality - little steps lead to big changes
• Plan ahead for the week - schedule your exercise and meals
• Eat smaller portions - start here if you aren't ready to change your diet
• Don't skip meals - this leads to ravenous hunger and slow metabolism
• Get more movement throughout the day - take the stairs, stand more, etc.
• Practice simple food swaps - air popped popcorn vs. chips, grilled vs. fried, etc.
• Sleep more - go to bed earlier and aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night
• Use your weekends wisely - exercise longer, grocery shop, meal prep, relax
• Be active with family and friends - spend your time doing fun activities
• Do a high intensity interval workout - these burn calories quickly and efficiently
• Use healthy meal shortcuts - frozen/premade/precut/meal kit/grocery delivery
• Setup a home gym - a mat, a mirror and maybe some weights will do
• Handle your stress - do yoga, meditate, journal, run, take time to yourself
• Reflect on your priorities - it is ok to say no and focus on YOU