In a world where we are constantly on the go it can be tough to carve out time for ourselves. It’s a vicious cycle: workout, start to feel good, get busy, fall off the wagon. We get it. We’ve all been there. But a healthy lifestyle requires dedication. And let’s face it, most people would rather be doing something other than exercise.

A recent study examined how people are actually spending their time these days. You may be surprised (or maybe not) to hear that leisure activities, which includes watching TV, accounts for 5.4 hours/day. The Internet is catching up, accounting for almost 2 hours per day. And in one month, the average person spends 15 hours on social media! So, do you really ever have “no time” for exercise? Of course not. You can always find time to workout, but only if it’s a priority. And for most people, it is not. Let’s take a look at why working out should be a priority in your life.

The World Health Organization concluded that 9% of all premature deaths are directly caused by inactivity; we are literally killing ourselves because we don’t get up and move our bodies each and every day. Working out can Improve your memory and brain function (all age groups), protect against many chronic diseases, aid in weight management, lower blood pressure and improve heart health, improve your quality of sleep, reduce feelings of anxiety and depression, combat cancer-related fatigue, improve joint pain and stiffness., maintain muscle strength and balance, and increase life span. Can scrolling through Facebook every day do all that?

When you realize how necessary physical activity is for your own personal self, schedule a recurring time to work out, because you’re more likely to honor that commitment to yourself. This can be as simple as putting a 30-minute run in your calendar a few times a week. Or, hiring a personal trainer. With a trainer, you’re already scheduling in that time to work out. Together with your trainer you can come up with a feasible exercise and nutrition plan to keep you on track. At Success Studio, our trainers are fitness professionals who keep clients accountable for their exercise goals, changing their clients’ lifestyles with ease and simplicity.

Another way to workout when you are extra busy is to track your workout progress. Getting in the habit of tracking your progress imprints your workout routine into your brain. That way it’ll become a habit, similar to the way you get your laundry done or clean your house.

Sometimes carving out time means making sacrifices. Try waking up earlier and embedding a workout into your morning routine. Or skip happy hour with your co-workers. Even if you can only manage 30-minute intervals, there is always enough time in the week to find an hour and half to focus on your health.  But be consistent. It’s better to get in 10-30 minutes a day, every day while forming a habit than getting in 60 minutes 2-3x a week. That consistency will promote metabolic and neurological changes that will make you feel more committed and happier with yourself than if you sporadically try to break into a routine.

It takes six weeks to develop a habit of a newly-built workout routine. At first, a new habit such as an exercise routine, may seem cumbersome. You will debate if you should stick with it. There will be days where working out is the last thing on your mind. But gather your inner strength and see it through. Once those endorphins are released, you’ll be happy you woke up at 5am for that bike ride. Pushing through those moments of self-doubt and debate will eventually lead to habit.

The biggest excuse we hear in the fitness world is “I wish I could be in better shape, but I don’t have time.” It’s not about ‘finding’ the time, it’s about doing something different with the time you have. As a matter of fact, someone “busier” than you is working out right now! You should make the time for yourself, too. Success Studio offers a complimentary strategy session. It’s an easy way to get started and it takes about an hour, which is only 4% of your day. And 4% is a nominal amount of time to spend on yourself. No excuses. So click on the button below and get on the schedule.