Managing your time for fitness success!

It’s just the catch cry of just about everyone. We try to fit so much into our lives these days, its not surprising that we feel overwhelmed just trying to fit it all in. Often when this happens, people feel extremely busy, yet accomplish very little towards achieving these objectives. Time itself does not enable people to achieve things. The secret is using time effectively and efficiently. By following these steps you can learn to use the time you have to not only achieve your fitness goals, but also obtain more satisfaction in your everyday life.

1. Breaking it down.

Take some time to list all the things you have to do. This may seem daunting at first, but the actual process of organising and writing things down on paper is psychologically relieving. Once you have written down your commitments, break them down into manageable goals.

For example; Week 1 ‘Floating ‘ goal – Increase cardio
Manageable goal – Increase cardio from two days to four days a week.
Type: Running, cycling, boxing, walking. Duration: 40 minutes
Days: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday mornings.

2. What really matters?

Organize your commitments in order of priority. Maybe you don’t need to watch TV from 7until 10pm every night. Try cutting it down to four nights a week instead. That’s a whole nine hours a week you now have to spare.

3. Can’t change a thing!

Commitments are called just that for a reason, some things we just cant say no to. Most of us have to work and maintain responsibilities. Acknowledge these in your schedule and block them out as fixed times throughout the day, similarly, identifying the commitments which may be flexible and may be possible to fit in at another time of the day.

For example: 9am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday: Work (fixed).
1pm Saturday: Lunch with friends (Flexible – if I change the lunch from 2pm to a 10am breakfast, I’ll be less likely to hang around for most of the day giving me time to catch up on other things).

4. Give it your best shot

Identify when you are at your most effective: mentally and physically. Are you a morning person or a night owl? Schedule in your workouts when you are feeling energized and are at your physical best throughout the day. Schedule in low-priority, mind-numbing activities when you are at your least effective. For example, preparing meals for the following day.

5. I just want to have fun!

Don’t forget to fit in time to socialize. We can’t always be so rigid that we do not allow time for ourselves. Everyone deserves to catch up with friends or family. You may want to schedule in your cheat meal for your regular Saturday night out on the town. Alternatively, you may prefer to be flexible on the weekend.

6. Uh-oh!

Sometimes tings do not go to plan. You get an injury, a family member becomes ill. You lose your job. The important thing is to accept when unexpected events occur. Its called ‘life’ and there are always surprises. Don’t beat yourself up over it, instead accept it and make a promise to get on top of things as soon as things get back to normal.
Remember time management is not about a life sentence, it’s also about having fun whilst achieving your goals. The key is to make it work for you. By following this advice, you will feel more relaxed and positive and start living the life you’ve always wanted.

About the writer: Carmen Rossitto has a BA (Psychology) (Public Relations) and BA (Honours) (Psychology) from Deakin University. She has a passion for helping others overcome adversity and achieve their goals in life.