“I don’t have time” should not be your excuse
One thing I have heard all the time throughout life is “I don’t have the time to (insert activity here)” whether it be workout, study, eat healthy, etc. I get stuck in the “I don’t have time” rut (everybody does) every now and then, especially being a mum, but I tend to get brought back to reality soon after. When the truth of the matter is, if you want to do something, you make the time.
Me studying while Patrick was small and napping on my bed next to me…
Here I am a Mum, a wife, a business owner, a student, a nurse (who only works night shift) and I have to work around my husband’s workout schedule- and believe me, as I am typing this my son is demanding my attention. He HATES me doing any sort of writing/computer work while he is around, therefore I rarely get any business stuff done while he is awake. He is also not the type of kid who will happily go in a gym crèche (when I am wanting to do my more intense non-Kanga workouts) or be in a playpen next to me while I work out either – THAT IS NOT HAPPENING MUM!
I have found it so easy to say “oh well, I just don’t have time”, but as time went on and I didn’t get to do what I wanted or needed for self care, my mental health suffered. So, my need, which you have all probably figured out by now is staying and keeping fit, and by keeping fit I mean I love really hard intense workouts. They make me feel alive. Between being a Mum, a wife, running my business, studying and working, how can I possibly have time to work out? Well this week I embarked on something I said I could never do – early morning workouts! And you know what? While getting out of bed is tough, it really starts the day off right and gives me a newfound stress relief as I won’t feel guilty later in the day for not getting to the gym – actually loving it. I am determined to keep it up.
Actually pretty proud of myself… sweaty, but proud 🙂
Now, I am not saying everyone needs to get up a ‘stupid o’clock’ to get their workout in, what I am saying is if you want to do something bad enough you will fit it in. It may not be exactly the way you pictured it, but you can get it done (I ideally would have a lot more strength at 5:30am and be lifting to my full capability, but I haven’t had any food by then, so of course I won’t). If you want to get active again, but have nowhere for baby to go there are always ‘Mums & Bubs’ classes like Kangatraining, getting out and going for walks with the kids to the playground, or Online/DVD at home programs – there are so many great ones about and many only take 20-30min. If you are wanting to study, the kids sleep at some stage, I have been known to do study while Patrick is napping in bed next to me. Eating healthy is so easy, for years my husband and I have eaten porridge for breakfast (in the microwave), leftovers from our healthy dinner for lunch, some type of lean meat and veg for dinner, fruit for snacks, etc. You don’t need these fancy recipes with a million ingredients and a heap of cooking time – if you want to eat healthy make extra during dinner and have leftovers for dinner. We have a cook off on a Sunday that takes a maximum of 30min and does lunch meals for the whole week!
So for your sake, don’t self sabotage your self care with the “I don’t have time excuse”. If you want it, or even need it, badly enough, you will find time. Self care is so important, it keeps you sane and you are better Mum for doing it.