When it comes to working out, one thing that always comes up is TIME. Time, time, time…if I only had more time. Many people say they would work out if they had more time. But there’s no way to get more time. We all have the same 86,400 seconds in a day. Even the most fit and wealthiest of people are still dealing with the same time in the day that you have. The difference is how you’re using that time.
The only way to have time is to take time. And the best way to take time is to come up with a plan that works for you and stick to that plan. “People who fail to plan, plan to fail.” I know, it’s a cheesy little saying, but it’s true. If you want to get into a regular routine, come up with a plan and make it happen.
To come up with a plan, you only need to answer three questions:
1. How much time do I need to workout?
If you don’t know how much time you’ll need, you won’t know how much time you need to find. I can tell you from experience that you only need about an hour. I can say you only need an hour because you can workout from home. You don’t have to drive to a gym, pay a membership, and carry the burden of the time driving and money paid to get a good workout in. Make a plan to workout from home. Here’s how this hour breaks down:
– 10 minutes to get dressed to work out (this includes a bathroom break);
– 5 minutes to stretch (I prefer dynamic stretching);
– 25 minutes of exercise (Yes…you can get a great workout in just 25 minutes)
– 20 minutes to shower and get dressed
That’s all you truly need. You can adjust this time as needed. The point is to identify how much time you need and commit to finding that time in your day.
2. What time of the day can I consistently workout?
If you want to be successful, you need to be consistent with the time of day to work out. I need 1 hour a day for my workout. So, I planned my workout in the middle of my day…lunchtime to be precise. This works out perfect because I’m usually ready to step away from the office around this time. I take a 90 minute break at 12:30pm, Monday-Friday. 1 hour for my workout and shower, and then 30 minutes for my lunch after my workout. This is scheduled in my day and is rarely missed. There are some days where I may have to push the time back 30 minutes or an hour, but it’s pretty consistent.
You can pick early morning, lunchtime, after dinner, or before bed. It doesn’t really matter. What really matters is that you commit to setting that much time aside to workout daily. You CAN find the time, if it’s important to you. Anyone can get up earlier in the day and knock out an hour workout. I know it’s early and can be tough, but if you really want it, go to bed earlier!!!
3. What workout can I do?
Like I said, I strongly suggest you work out at home. This way it’s easier to be consistent and you’re more likely to get the workout in. There are tons of exercise routines you can perform at home. There are bodyweight routines, cardio routines, and even weight routines. You don’t need much. If you don’t have a home gym and want to know how to get started, check out my post on Starting Over Again: Building My Home Gym. Or if you’re more interested in bodyweight routines, check out my post on Bodyweight Exercises You Can Do Anywhere. And if you’d rather do something cardio based, go for a run outside or get a treadmill.
The Takeaway
It doesn’t take a fancy gym membership or expensive home gym to get fit. All it takes is a good plan that you can commit to daily. Working out at home highly increases the ease of getting a workout in. This may not be your preference, but it’s an obvious choice. And once you get into a routine, you may realize that having your own home gym is the way to go.
If you’re not working out, change that today. Come up with a plan. Ask yourself these three questions and then get started with your first workout. It may be tough to get started, but a little self-discipline and a strong plan can make all the difference. Good luck!!!