“You think you’re busy now…well, wait until you have a baby (graduate from college, start working full-time, get married, etc, etc, you fill in the blank). Then you’ll ‘really’ be busy.”
You’ve heard it said … by people who are convinced that they are the only ones that truly know what “busy” feels like. Maybe it’s a mom who is busy changing diapers or chasing a toddler around the house all day. “You will be ‘really’ busy once you have a child.” I have heard this line more times that I can count in the past 9 months. Yeah, I can argue that most people don’t know what it’s like to work a full-time 40 hour per week job, train clients for 12+ hours per week on top of that, do event planning for 10 hours per week on top of that, serve as a youth leader at church, maintain an active social life, and still fit in two personal workouts per day…but people don’t want to hear that. They want to think that they are the busiest person who walks on the earth and they are the only one with a “really great excuse” not to exercise or take the time to eat well.
In fact, busyness is usually the number one excuse that I hear from my clients during their orientation session. My answer – it’s not a matter of busyness – it’s an issue of priorities. Women who use a packed schedule as a reason to skip workouts or pop a hot pocket into the microwave are only doing themselves and their families a disservice. A fit mom is a happy mom. Don’t your kids, parents, spouses, co-workers, etc, deserve a healthy and happy woman?
Here’s the deal – there is always someone who is much busier than you – running or working out….right now. Yeah, that’s right – busier than even you – gasp, is that possible? The more you prioritize your health, the more energy you will have to spend time with the people in your life who you care about. Not only that, exercise produces endorphins in your brain that will improve your attitude overall! And not to mention the countless benefits of taking the time to cook a healthy meal for yourself or pack some healthy snacks for the office!
So, stop using your schedule and responsibilities to slack off. You know you should be doing to stay healthy – so get out and do it! 🙂 Best wishes!
P.S. Here is another article on the benefits of exercise during pregnancy: Top 10 Benefits of Pregnancy Exercise. It’s a pretty basic article, but some good reminders 🙂
Fit Pregnancy and Parenting 
What do your two daily workouts consist of?
I’m back to working out in the morning and am “swimming” in our pool. I can see how stepping up both of these would /will make a positive boost to my fitness level. I can also see how continuing 2adays would benefit my sketchy goals.
Let’s figure out how I can facebook AND workout please!
I’d love to say I’m too busy to continue 2adays, and add something about the work it takes to step OUT of my adult kids’ lives, but something tells me you will just laugh at me and make me an example in one of your upcoming posts!
Thanks for all you do–MLS
Miss Melanie! Ok, currently, my first workout is usually a short 45 minute cardio or lifting workout during lunch. When I get home, I’ll take Quincy (my puppy) on a walk/jog for 45-60 minutes. The first workout gets me through the afternoon, and the 2nd workout is a nice wind down/time with Quincy/de-stresser 🙂
I love that you are doing the morning workouts with Jean now! And pool is GREAT too! Can’t wait to show you some water aerobics.
Yes, I love your comment about facebooking AND working out. Chances are, if we have time to look at FB during the day, we have time for a workout 🙂
Keep it up!!!!!
How can you possibly understand what having a child is like without ever having one of your own? I am certain you are talking about something you can’t understand fully without experiencing it. So many people drastically under estimate the work (physical, mental, and emotional) that having a child of your own.
Hi, thanks for reading my blog. I certainly don’t understand what it’s like to have a child, nor do I claim to understand (although in a few short weeks, I will have personal experience to share – woohoo). My point in this post is that people like to use “busyness” as an excuse to live an unhealthy life. I have worked with nearly 40 female clients in the gym – most of whom have kids. They are able to turn their lifestyles around and become healthy after they fix their priorities. Everyone can claim busyness for some reason or another, but one of the best things to do if you are busy – is to lead a healthy lifestyle 🙂
I am one of those 40 women who is still fighting old “busyness” habits. As you know Amanda, the first thing I drop when I am stressed is NOT pounds, but workouts.
It really helps me to have a specific action to take when I am overwhelmed.
This year my daughter will be a HS senior, also we will be hosting a foreign student who will graduate too. I have a son graduating from CU and between he and another son, they have 3 senior vocal recitals and senior theatre projects. Of course there is golf, swimming, tennis, the musical, etc that the two girls are involved in. I think it will be fun, but………….
I must work out a plan or I will just quit working out! And that is no longer an option.
A fan! MLS