This message is directed a two groups but is useful for us all. The first group, are your family and friends who look at the progress you have made in your health and fitness and give you excuses about time, or the lack of time, and why they cant do what you do. If you know someone like this, read it and then spread the word. The other group is those who have made the first step in finding fitness and have signed up at the gym, but when they cant make it in for a class they choose to do nothing rather than make the most of their time.
All of us have a finite amount of time in a day. Actually we all have the EXACT same amount of time. 24 hours to be exact. At the end of the day we all start with a level playing field. Then it all goes to hell. Some work more than others. Some get better sleep, some have kids, some don’t. Some have commitment upon commitment and some have so much time they dont know what to do with it. Well, if you are like me, you have more than you know what to do with. You add job(s), kids, marriage, friends, a house etc and all of a sudden you can barely find 3 days a week to be in the gym, let alone 5 or 6. So, at this point, you have two options, use this lack of time as a crutch, and fail to improve OR you can take small moments of time and make an impact on your health and performance everyday, no matter how small the gain.
We would all love to be able to get to the gym 30 minutes early, BS for a while, have a great 1 hour CrossFit session and then cool down and foam roll with our friends for 30 more minutes. And we would all love to do this 5 days a week. That is not reality for most people. Most make it in 3-4 days a week, (possibly late) and have to rush out after class to get to work or feed the kids. Some know they are going to be late and head for home instead. If this is you (or if you dont work out at all because you think you dont have enough time), then pay attention.
To make gains, both in health and performance, you dont always have to have a well stocked gym, with bumpers and bars and chalk and a rubber floor coated in chalk. All you need is YOU. Dont get me wrong, you should be making it in a few days a week but on those days or weeks when time is short, open your eyes and look for a way to improve yourself. When you get home, knock out 100 burpees. Or lunge down the block and back. Or go for a friggen run. Sprint, bear crawl, jump, stretch, just DO SOMETHING. I keep a pair of running shoes in my car with a change of clothes. Any time I can steal a few minutes, I slap them on and get something done. Kids driving you nuts…put them in the stroller and go for a run. Only have 10 minutes to workout today? Throw some books in a pack (for weight) and get after 30-20-10 BackPack Goblet Squats, Hand release pushups, and sit-ups. Your legs feeling soft? If you work in a big building, go run the stairs at lunch. Watching football on the weekend? Before you crack a beer, get 5 minutes in the front leaning rest, followed by tabata air squats and then 10 minutes of mobility work.
So you get the point. There is always time for a little improvement. You dont have to over think it. Just make a quick plan, execute it, and you will be a step ahead.
