Disclosure: This post was sponsored by lucy through their partnership with POPSUGAR Select. While I was compensated to write a post about lucy, all opinions are my own.
I think it’s safe to say that we all get in a rut from time to time. Perhaps we have something major happening in our lives, maybe we’re just burned out from the overwhelming sense of “have to’s” associated with modern life. Some of us are frozen by the thought that we need to be perfect at everything we do, and others are frantically trying to keep up with that standard.
When people ask me how I make time for running, my answer is simple, “I very rarely sacrifice my run, and if I do it’s a valid reason.” I don’t over think it, I just strap on my shoes, put my running clothes on, and step out the front door. Sometimes those first steps out the door are the most difficult, but in all my years I have never regretted a run, not even the worst ones.
However, it’s easy to get into a mental battle with yourself, where you feel as though you have to sacrifice one thing for another. But that notion is a trap. You really don’t need to sacrifice your run, you just need to plan, prioritize, and cut out things that don’t benefit your well being. I wrote a post a few years ago about how to make time when your kids are out of school. Now I am adding 7 more tips to that list, and not just for when the kids are out of school. These are for everyone.
7 More Tips for Making Time to Run – No more excuses
1. Kill 2 Birds with One Stone- Try running while your kids, husband, boyfriend or non running friend ride their bike. You are spending very high quality time with your loved ones and everyone is being active. Or, if you have a dog that is athletic, take them on a 2 mile run in the morning and a 2 mile run in the evening. You need to walk them anyway, why not make it a small run? You do that every day and you’ve run 28 miles in a week… that’s some great mileage.
2. Ditch 30 to 45 minutes of Social Media- You can do this! Just back yourself away from that phone or computer, stop looking at those pictures of Aunt Sue’s dinner, and head out on a nice 45 minute run. Social media will live without you, and will surely still be there to lure you in when you return. Just do it– you will feel so much better about yourself.
3. Invest- Invest in really high quality shoes, top of line apparel (I like lucy activewear). Any runner will tell you, shoes are no joke. Find the right ones for you and get them, even if they’re pricey. Regarding the clothes, you might think buying top of the line running clothes is a tad superficial, and believe me I am a firm believer that running in a pair of jeans is better than not running at all, but I think living with the mind of quality not quantity is a very healthy way of being. You don’t have to have a huge closet full of clothes, but having stylish outfits that you feel amazing in is motivating. Don’t sacrifice style, comfort, and functionality– feel good when you run. Live where the weather isn’t the best all year long? Look into a gym membership, a home treadmill, or even a Treadmill Desk if you must. Have a little one at home? There are some great jogging strollers out there. Sitting for 8 hours a day is slowing making us wither away. Squeeze your workout in anyway you can– make your health and well being your number one priority.
4. Split up your run- I briefly mentioned this in #1, but some people simply do not have a full 45-60 minutes to spend running, but do have 20 minutes here and there throughout the day. You don’t have to have a dog to run 2 miles in the morning, 1 mile at lunch and then another 2 miles after work or school. Keep your running apparel in a small gym bag for spontaneous 1 or 2 milers. If you do that every day your weekly mileage will add up to some big numbers. It takes your body a full 24 hours to recover, so the fitness benefits are the same as if you ran them consecutively.
5. Set your clothes out the night before- Lay your outfit out the night before, so that you can slip it on easily for those early morning runs. You want to eliminate anything that can delay you and cause you to second guess going for that run — No Second Guessing! Have your clothes out and ready. Laying them out the night before helps prepare you for the run, and having them there when you wake up makes it easier to get yourself moving.
6. Get comfortable with waking up early- This one can be daunting, but once you have forced yourself out of bed, slipped on your gear (that you’ve laid out the night before), and laced up your shoes, get out the door. There is no coffee in the word that can compare to the endorphin rush you will feel from a morning run, and the feeling you will get watching the sunrise while everyone else is sleeping is like no other. Nothing compares to the early morning run.
7. Ask for help- Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or neighbor to watch your kids while you slip in a 45 minute run. It’s only 45 minutes and oftentimes you can trade. You could even pay a high school kid, if you’re comfortable. It’s just getting in the habit of making your fitness a priority.
Since we are on the topic of sacrifice, I thought I should add that there are many things that you SHOULD sacrifice in order to make room for your well being…
Things that you SHOULD Sacrifice
Negative Self Defeating Thoughts- When these little buggers pop up in your mind, ask yourself “Does this serve me in anyway?” The answer is obvious — ditch them!
Junk Food- Sure we all eat a doughnut here and there, but make that the exception not the rule. Also, notice how you feel after eating junk — you guessed it! Like junk. You are what you eat. Limit your sugar and processed food, just like negative thoughts, they don’t serve you in anyway.
Friends and Family that don’t Support You- Ok, maybe not ditch, but if someone tries to sabotage your fitness routine, it’s best to let their comments be like water on a duck’s back. Generally, people say “you can’t” or “you shouldn’t” do something because they are not comfortable or capable themselves — have firm boundaries and carry on.
Doing the Dishes- There, I said it. Give yourself permission to leave dishes in your sink if that is what’s preventing you from going on run. Here’s the deal: if your dishes sit in the sink for a few hours and then you get to them after 9:00 at night, it’s no big deal. You’re more likely to do your dishes at night than go for a run. Make fitness your afternoon priority… dishes can wait.
Excuses- Stop making them. Stop saying things like “I can’t,” “I’m not good enough,” or “I don’t have time for that.” Those are all just excuses, and you will never feel your best, or change your life, unless you clearly understand how you make excuses to prevent yourself from growing.
Going to Coffee with Friends- Instead of sugary coffee and pastries, make your social time running, going to the gym, or hiking. Ask your friends to join you. You’ll save money, get your social time in, get your workout in, and everyone will benefit.
Muffin Top-Get rid of it once and for all. You don’t have to have six pack abs, or be perfect (I’ve had twins there is no exercise or airbrush great enough to cover what my stomach looks like), but make an attempt to change your eating, it’s like taking a bunch a unwanted old clothes to the Salvation Army, but instead you are taking your excess fat and toxins out of your body. And just like when you get rid of clutter from your house, getting the junk out of your body feels liberating and once it’s gone you’ll never look back.
Try these pants … they have a built in tummy control panel. Finally, a pair of pants that keeps your core tight and smooth, and not spilling over the edge. This twin mom is crazy about how stylish and functional this line of activewear is.
Your Morning Shower– I realize that some of you simply cannot do this because you have to work or go to school, but for those of us who work from home, forgoing your morning shower is a big time saver. If you have activewear that is versatile, like many of the choices from lucy, you can run in the morning and just get on with your day. I shower at night. I do dishes at night, too. I do a lot at night, and this is how I am able to not sacrifice my workouts.
lucy activewear doesn’t want anybody to sacrifice anything
They want you to have it all, that is why they are hosting the “This is For You” giveaway with incredible prizes to be won.
What person can’t use a little help? Each week you can win your choice of a year of housecleaning, babysitting or meal delivery. One grand prize winner will receive all three. More “you time” to do the things you really love (like getting in your favorite workout).
This is for you. The ones who have it all…on their to-do list! Let lucy take away the small stuff that stands between you and a good sweat.
Enter for a chance to win some more “You Time” – The Giveaway ends December 16th
What tips to can you add to list? How do you make time to get your workout in?
