Tips for squeezing it in.

**TWSS**

Are you too busy to work out?

How many times do you hear people say, I just don't have the time?

We all get the same number of hours in a day.  Every single one of us.  As with all things in life it comes down to what you choose to make a priority and what you choose to put on the back burner.  I'm not one of those runners who will go on and on about how much I love love love running.  Nope.  Because I don't know that I really do love running.  I started after I had my 4th and LAST baby.  I wasn't a track runner in high school.  Like so many other bloggers out there.

Nope.

I started really running in my thirties!

I would say the reason I still run, now almost 4 years later is because it's a habit.  I do value having this healthy habit in my life.  Setting an example to my children that it's important to take care of your body.  That as a wife/mother/ and full time employed outside the home woman I still value the importance of taking care of myself.

I have F O U R children.

 One of those four children is disabled and a total handful.  Some days it takes all my patience.  There is nothing special about special needs.  Sorry, I'm saying it.  And I know many will condemn.  I cannot count the number of times I've been told that III am special.  Because III was chosen.

Alas, I still choose to make time for exercise.  So here are my tips on how to make it work:

1.  Plan.  Plan. And plan again.  Plan your meals.  I plan dinners for the entire week the week before. Not only does it make having the right ingredients on hand a snap.  But it takes the decision out of dinner.  So many benefits come with this one.  We eat healthier.  I plan around busy nights.  Some nights I PLAN to have a Lean Cuisine for dinner.  Throw some veggies in the steamer and dinner is ready with no prep work in 30 minutes.

2.  Plan.  Plan.  And Plan again.  Plan your workouts.  Write them down.  Know when you'll do them.  And then the night before you're planning by packing your bag.  By planning that on Tuesday and Thursday I want to go to Barbell class then I know to plan my meal around getting home at 7:15pm.  I know to pack running clothes for work AND capri's for Barbell class.  Because who (other than my husband) wants to see me bend over doing deadlifts in my running shorts?

3.  Get creative.  I run usually 3 days per week during my lunch hour.  Yes, this means that I have to eat at my desk which they say is so terrible for you. But the terrible part about eating at your desk is that you're distracted and eat more. But if you've PLANNED (see #1) your lunch then you're already portioned out and don't have to worry about overeating.  It's not always fun to run at lunch.  But it's how I get creative at squeezing it in.  I don't shower after, I use baby wipes.  Some people might think it's gross.  Whatever.  Nobody has ever told me I stink.  Biggest downside to this is my hair.  Up do.  All the time.

And don't be afraid to squeeze a walk in or a jog while getting outside with your kids.  I don't intentionally go out to run with my kids.  No jogger here.  BUT, I have been out with them before and wished I had my running shoes so that I could job next to them.  It's been a missed opportunity in the past, and I try to make sure it's not repeated.  I walk laps while my son is at soccer practice.  Baylee (my daughter) will walk some laps too.  And I don't feel obligated to walk them together with her.  She gets her work out in and I get mine.  Plus I'll drag my dog along too.

4.  Find a buddy.  I don't run with a buddy much anymore.  But I used to have a weekend running buddy and it kept me MUCH more accountable. I miss running with her and our Sunday morning chats.  This is my biggest challenge currently.  I'm pretty introverted, so I'm not big on running groups.  But for lots of people this works out well.  And I happen to know that my Lifetime Fitness where I live welcomes non-members to run club.  So maybe that's an option where you are.

5.  Always be signed up for a race.  This one may not be popular with everyone.  But it comes back to the whole accountability factor.  If I'm signed up for a race .. I mean committed .. I've paid my money!  Because I don't get free race entries.  Then I'm more likely to not "waste my money" and not train.

6.  Get. Over. The. Mommy. Guilt.  Seriously.  Get over it.  You and your kids are better off if you get your run in.  Again, this comes from someone that is not a self proclaimed obsessed runner.  But I do admit that if I need to get a run in and I'm having a hard time squeezing it in and I don't want to not check off that box on my training plan.  I start to get grumpy.

I like to check boxes off.  What can I say?

7.  Bike Commute to work.  So this isn't running specific.  But I got an UP band and for awhile I was obsessed with getting my 10,000 steps in.  40 minute commute to work a couple times a week really helped!  And I LOVED commuting to work on my bike. I loved knowing I was reducing my carbon footprint as well.

Best money ever spent.

8.  It is NOT the Dreadmill.  I love my treadmill.  Sometimes (often times these days) the only weeknight TV I get is while running on the treadmill.  I love plugging my headphones in my ears and just running while indulging in a little Netflix/Hulu/Amazon Prime Video.  Love.  Vampire Diaries anyone?  We have a treadmill at work and it's so convenient.  Plus in the summer when it's 100+ degrees outside, I don't have to go out and melt.  Great excuse to hop on the mill.

9.  Make it a date.  As I mentioned I dearly miss running with my best girl friend. But since then my husband and I have spent many a Saturday morning or day off starting with a long run.  We still want to get out and explore some local trails before it's too late.

10.  Multitask.  I will be getting a spin bike for my birthday in a couple weeks.  Jeramie already knows that the bike is going in our living room.  Is he thrilled?  Nope.  But I know it will get used if it's upstairs, rather than in my basement.  I can't wait!  Spin while bonding with my husband on the couch over some Walking Dead?  Yes please.

That's it.  That's actually a pretty good list there.  All of which I can personally attest to.  I never said that finding time was easy.  And it isn't always convenient.  But if you choose to make it a priority then the time is there to be found.

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What ways have you gotten creative to find time for exercise?

Netflix / Hulu / Amazon Prime Video .. what's your poison?

What shows are you loving right now?
          -  I'm gorging on Vampire Diaries and Sons of Anarchy.