Category: Fitness

I am going to give you three pieces of motivation to actually go for that morning run: Christmas cookies, Christmas cookies, Christmas cookies. And besides the cookies, I don’t think many people can disagree that the gift of a little alone time in the form of a 30 minute run is pretty….. priceless. Finding that time and bearing the unpredictable weather (ok, really just the cold) makes it challenging this time of year, but I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…. I’ve never once gone on a run and regretted it afterwards. For me, its mind clearing, mood boosting, and sets the tone for a more productive day. It also justifies an extra sip of wine/bite of cookie, but I digress. The hardest part about making those runs happen this time of year is simple: warm cozy bed, freezing cold outdoors. I repeat, warm cozy bed, freezing cold outdoors. The struggle is real which is why I fully support investing in cute cold weather workout gear that motivates you to want to work out AND keeps you warm. Nike has the best “no excuses” gear for all of your cold weather workouts. I especially love their Pro HyperWarm line – it has the coziest inner layer (without adding bulk!) to cut the wind, but it’s breathable and moisture wicking for when your body temp starts to heat up. It also happens to make the perfect gift for that person who SO wants to go on that morning run or play in that paddle match or even just take their kids to the playground but it’s just. too. cold.

And if you are so lucky to work up enough of a sweat that you need to layer down…. how cute is the sports bra? Maybe it was the sparkles? Maybe it was the soft cups? Maybe it was both.

And because we know there is never enough time, throw on a beanie and a hoodie until you have time for another small gift….. the gift of a long hot shower. Or 45 uninterrupted seconds. Either or.

Ok I used to be a lot better at this than I am now, so part of me is writing this for my own encouragement and maybe to get some tips from all of you. Before I had kids I would wake up at 5am at least 4 days per week to workout at the gym. These days I can’t even fathom 5am and come 5pm I am either driving to soccer practice, making dinner, or just too exhausted from the day to even consider a workout. Finding the time to workout has been a challenge and the easiest solutions is, well, just not to do it.

Even the 9:30 classes that offer babysitting can be hard because some babies like to cry the entire time (hands raised!) and instead of de-stressing you are doing just the opposite. And now that I am working I’ve found myself thinking, “Well I don’t want to waste my working time on exercising” and when I am home with the kids, “I barely see them anymore. I don’t want to waste my time with the kids going to exercise!”

When life is crazy busy, it’s hard to find the time to workout. For me, the number one reason I like to workout is for the mental clarity. It’s amazing what a 25 minute run can do for your mind. I can say with confindence that I’ve never come home from a run and thought to myself, “Man I should have NEVER went on that run.” NO! I always feel energized and reset and more prepared to take on the day. With that, here are a few tips that motivate me to lace up….

1. Internalize the feeling of being finished a workout. Bottle it up. The next time you find yourself making an excuse not to workout, visualize yourself being done and how great you feel.
2. When time is limited, resort to efficiency. Unfortunately my schedule doesn’t permit for 90 minute bikram classes followed by post class matchas and casual conversation. Ok maybe every once in a while 😉 My go-to efficient workout is a run. I can walk out my front door, be back in 30 and, the best part – it’s free!
3. Don’t under estimate the power of workout clothes! Yes, sometimes I put them on with intentions of actually working out, and sometimes that workout never happens. Thank goodness “athleisure” is a thing! But if you never put them on, the chances your workout will happen are slim to none.
4. When in doubt, mimic your kids a.k.a. MOVE! They never stop – have fun with shadowing them and maybe have a few laughs while your at it.

And because we know time is so precious, the post work out shower doesn’t always happen right away.Sound off! How do you guys find the time to workout?