“I don’t have time to be healthy.”
That is one of the most used and abused statements that strength coaches and personal trainers hear over and over again. It may the one of the universal excuses that people use when they don’t reach their goals of getting into better shape or the reason they don’t even try to get into shape.
But in my eyes, it’s just that – an excuse.
I am fully aware that there are many people who are busier than I am, but I like to feel that I am relatively busy. Between classes and everything that comes along with that, working at UNH, being a USA Hockey Official, and someone who tries to have a social life, I find time to make time to be healthy. Oh, and I make it a priority to read an hour a day on something related to strength and conditioning or personal development.
How do I go about making sure to find time to work out and make healthy food choices? To be honest, it’s all about planning ahead. Every night before I go to bed I try to figure out what my next day is going to look like. Look at what team responsibilities I may have at UNH, what hockey games I may have to officiate, and depending on the time of the year I may have to take classes into account as well.
Once I figure those things out, the first thing I do is plan where I am going to find time to work out. I make it a priority to find time and I also recognize how much time I am going to have to work out which allows me to plan ahead for the workout itself. Let me repeat that, I make it a priority.
The next thing I do is figure out when I am going to have a chance to grab something to eat – which is basically the most important thing in my life since I am a fat kid at heart. Am I going to have time to make breakfast? Will I have time to run to a store and grab something healthy to eat at any point? Should I throw together a couple of protein shakes to get me through the day? These are all things I ask myself going when planning the day ahead.
When it comes down to it, I make it a priority to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Am I perfect? Nope. Do I eat crappy foods from time to time and miss workouts? Yup. For the most part though, I make healthy food choices and make it a priority to workout 4-5 times a week, consistently, week to week and month to month.
Anyone can maintain a healthy lifestyle but you have to be willing to hold yourself accountable and make it a priority. You only have one body, treat it accordingly.