This is part three of a series on How to Balance Your Time, where we’re looking at the six key types of time we all need in our lives:
- Creative and productive
- Physically energetic and active
- Playful and entertaining
- Learning and developing
- Reflective and spiritual
- Restful and relaxing
Today we’ll take a closer look at the second type of time:Â physically energetic and active.
We all know that regular exercise is important if we’re to maintain good health. And yet so few of us make it a priority. That was true of me for much of my life.
My biggest problem: I always thought that if I took time to exercise, I’d be taking away valuable time from my family, or productive time from my work. I didn’t understand that exercise could help improve both my family life and work life – that it would re-energize, refresh and refocus me at work, and keep me in good health so I can be around a lot longer for my family.
In the last few years, I’ve discovered some strategies that have helped improve both my outlook on exercise, and my determination in making time for it:
- I discovered that I didn’t have to set aside 30 or 40 minutes for exercise at one given time in a day. I could spread it out throughout the day. I’ve learned that doing two or three 10-15 minute work-outs can make a difference. Whenever I start to feel sluggish at work, I take a brisk walk, do some push-ups or other simple Fat Loss Quickie exercises in my office, or run up and down some stairs a few times. It doesn’t take me long to get my heart rate going, and I notice that my mind is more focused and creative as a result.
- I learned that I can combine two or more goals for greater results. My goals to exercise, spend more time with my family, and be super productive at work don’t have to be mutually exclusive goals. Frequently, I combine the two by exercising or enjoying some physical activity with my wife and/or kids. For example, my wife and I have begun working out 4-5 times a week using the Jillian Michaels – 30 Day Shred
DVD (Jillian is one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser). And I frequently play basketball, ride bikes, or go swimming with my kids. We have fun, enjoy some time being together, and get some good exercise all at the same time.
Today, exercise is becoming more and more a natural part of my life. But it wasn’t always that way. I had to be more intentional before it could become more natural.
Has anyone else struggled with making time for exercise and physical activity? Or am I the only one?
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