Timing is Everything
I spent the better part of three years studying what comes between people and exercise. We studied lots of exercise prescriptions, lots of ages and fitness levels, and lots of diets. It was interesting work. We came up with some great data; useful information for future exercise prescriptions that could change the face of fitness.
One of the outstanding results of all the data was that convenience of exercise makes a big difference when we start a new exercise program. In fact, it's overwhelming how successfully people will adhere to an easy-to-do plan. The only issue is that easy didn't make big inroads in their fitness levels. So, we had to make it less convenient, but more results oriented. Unfortunately, attrition rates had the greatest improvement. The less convenient the program was, the less adherence we saw, but those who stuck to it, actually did become more healthy. The issue was less about what kind of exercise works the best and more about how do we make exercise part of a doable schedule.
That work was 18 years ago and unfortunately, fitness outcomes have not improved. We still find ways to keep from exercising, even when we all comprehend how crucial it is if we want to live well enough to enjoy life. So, I've started doing some experimenting on my own.
“Having time is never the issue. Of course, it’s choosing how we spend the only time we have.”
My hypothesis is that I don't have time to do household chores during the day. I work three interrelated jobs, in two locations, and one virtually. I usually start my day at 4am and work fast to be done by 5:30pm. You're probably thinking, "welcome to my life...I work till 5:30, get home, cook dinner, spend with my family and fall into bed to do it all again tomorrow." I'm not complaining about having work to do or that I don't have time for chores, except when the chores aren't done. So, I started to time myself.
Unbelievably, I started to find some empty moments. While my oatmeal is cooking for 4 minutes, I can empty the dish drain, no matter how full, in no more than 90 seconds. I can fold and deliver laundry to the appropriate owner in 5 minutes. I can put away my laundry in under 5 minutes, during which time I can also answer a text message and let the dog outside. I can vacuum the major traffic patterns in my house in 7 minutes. I can mop my training space in less than 3 minutes. All of those chores combined take 21 minutes and 30 seconds.
Do you think you could carve out 20 minutes in your day for moving, every day? You know you could. You will have to give up something you're doing now, but it is possible. And if you think 20 minutes won't change your fitness, you're wrong. Try jumping for as long as you can and see how different you feel from when you're standing. Fitness can change fast if your movements are big enough and you're willing to push it. You have to start where you are and then see where you want to go. You may need some help in seeing your path and that's why you hire a coach. Get some direction and you can get on track in no time.
How long do you spend on social media everyday? How often do you shop online and end up following a rabbit trail of new sites you didn't even know existed? How much time to do you spend doing something that you could easily delegate to your children so they can learn to function independently? How many times have you watched an hour of tv before you even realized it? Do you watch sports online or on tv? The average amount of virtual time spent for adults is staggering...just under 2 hours every day. Having time is never the issue. Of course, it's choosing how we spend the only time we have.
The next time you're tempted to believe that you don't have time to exercise or plan healthy meals, or read good books, or get to know your neighbors, or play with your kids, remember my 21 minute and 30 second chore time. I had been telling myself for years that I don't have the time to take care of minor details like that, or that I'll save it till another time when it's more convenient. Well, just like my exercise studies, where convenient exercise didn't change the health status, convenience wasn't getting my chores done. I had to choose to take the time to take care of necessities. You can too. Your life is too valuable for you not to exercise and eat well. Make and take the time to move well and eat well because your time means everything.
