"I Don't Have Time To Workout." - Here's What You Really Mean...
"I don't have time to workout."
Here's what you really mean - "I'm choosing not to prioritize time for my physical health and fitness."
I get it, I really do. For many of us, life is busy and it can feel like an overwhelming task to make time for working out. If that doesn't resonate with you, congrats - spend your free time wisely.
In my younger years I'd spend HOURS in the gym. Hit a set, talk with my buddies, update my social media, hit another set. You get the idea. Fast forward to today... ain't nobody got time for that.
As I get older, training is just as much of a priority as it was fifteen years ago, but the list of life responsibilities is about 10 times longer. It's not as easy as it once was, but by implementing a few simple pieces of advice, you can do it too.
Physical Fitness: A Necessity, Not a Choice
Step one is to deciding that prioritizing your physical health and fitness is no longer optional. There are very few uses of your time that will ever pay dividends the way physical training does. I've found this true in my own life and see it happen in the life of every guy I coach.
I could write an entire newsletter on how this plays out, but here's the quick summary... As your physical health improves, your mental health improves. Your confidence builds and the discipline you develop carries over into every other aspect of your life. You realize that with intentional, consistent effort, a world of possibilities opens up.
Plan and Prepare
In order to make physical fitness a priority, you need to make a plan. For some, this may mean clearing out activities that aren't a good use of your time. For others, it's waking up an hour earlier every day.
Sit down and look at your schedule for the week. Plan out which days you'll train - even 2 or 3 solid workouts per week will go a long way. What time of day will you train? Where will you train (gym, home, work)? Put it in your calendar, planner, notes, or whatever you use to keep track of your schedule.
Once you have a plan, it's time to prepare. Implement habits and curate an environment that reduces friction to the process. Set out your gym clothes the night before or keep an extra set in your vehicle. If you use any supplements, get those ready to go ahead of time.
Additionally, consider preparing your meals or snacks in advance to fuel your body properly before and after workouts. Creating a playlist of motivating music or downloading a few inspiring podcasts can also make a big difference in your workout mindset. Lastly, make sure your workout plan is visible—whether that's on your phone, a physical calendar, or a whiteboard—so it's the first thing you see and think about each day.
TRAIN SMART, TRAIN HARD
Once you have a plan together, you need to consistently execute on it. A busy lifestyle demands that you get the most out of every workout - follow a structured program and TRAIN HARD. This is where many people leave gains on the table - they don't have an effective training program and don't push themselves hard enough.
Don't waste time during your training sessions. If you're trying to lose weight, consider walking around to get some extra steps in between sets. Stay off your phone unless absolutely necessary. Throw on your headphones and minimize distractions.