Lifestyle
Make Time for Exercise
By
Sep 14, 2008 - 1:13:55 PM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - The saying that "Don't Put Off For Tomorrow What You Can Do Today" is true for many things in my opinion, including our making time for exercise. We're back from our summer vacations, back to a fall schedule with a holiday season fast approaching. Most of us will become so busy that we may have a hard time "finding time" to make it to the gym. I think about this often when my own schedule becomes hectic, but upon reflection I always make the time to exercise, instead of "finding" the time. Looking back, I can say that I worked hard to establish the exercise habit. Now, the folks who know me usually say "but June, you're in the gym all the time" for work. While this is true most days, I can't wait to leave the gym cause I'm in it too much! But my motto really is "consistency" not perfection, so let's "Make the Time" not find it, because there's always an occasion, conflict of time, errand or a reason to skip taking care of ourselves.

When I first started to exercise I never thought about the amount of time or commitment it would take me to shape up, but looking back now, I realize it was a process and not an overnight one at that. I'm just glad that I started and I didn't over-think it. And I'm so glad that now even during busy times, I still make the time even if the amount of time is less than ideal. I have learned that consistency does give results. Here then are just 3 things that we can remind ourselves when we're likely to skip.

It's Not about "All or Nothing at all". If we get to the gym late, it's better than not at all. If we shorten our exercise session, it's better than not exercising at all. If we miss a day or two, all is not lost. Let's get back on track because making it to next our exercise session is better than not exercising at all. Each thing we do and each thing we accomplish becomes a success in its own right. This includes keeping our exercise routine going even when we shorten it for example.
Make it a Priority. Taking care of our health is almost like having a jealous mistress (I bet this sounds weird); it requires our time and effort. We may want to feel better, look better and be healthier, but do we make it a priority more times than not? Sometimes we just can't have it all! So if we're trying to burn the candle at both ends, we may need to decide where our priorities lie. Examples of not prioritizing enough? Examples might be when we try to stay too late at the party or go to too many late dinners, or have one drink too many all week, or when we try to do everything and aim for perfection at everything. Traveling a lot? Pick a hotel with a gym and make the time first thing in the morning, even for a 20 minute jog and stretch session!

They Can't All Be Gems. Another way of saying this one is "There is No Such Thing as Perfection". When we're tired we can shorten our exercise session or work out less intensely, but we can still burn some of those extra calories from last night's dinner, can't we?

So whatever our health & fitness goals are, however long we think it will take to reach them, we can get into a routine, and keep it going if we make the time. Not only will we be taking steps that make us feel better now, we will be increasing our chance for long term success at improving our health.

Let's Make the Time!

June M. Lay M.S.
www.junefit.com
Junefit ranks top 10 at Google for "fitness tips" search out of millions of results!

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June is Lifestyle Columnist at www.healthnewsdigest.com/news/index.shtml

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