The main thing I hear over and over again from (mainly) women is 'I wish had the time to train, but I just don't'. Now I'm no rocket scientist but last time I checked - pun intended - we all have the same 24hours in a day.
However if anyone has discovered how to genuinely slow time down then please, absolutely get in touch with me. Just not when I'm on the treadmill.
It's very easy to start listing off reasons of why you believe you have no time - work full time, work shifts, have kids, look after parents, have dogs, meals to cook, house to clean, washing to do, an ironing pile the size of Mount Everest. All time consuming activities, I totally agree.
Luckily for us we live in quite a modern world now. And whilst I don't have the answer to every problem you may have, I've probably got the answer to most. Or more importantly, I can help you find your own answer.
Disclaimer: It's not 'quit your job and get rid of your kids or partner' I'm afraid. You're going to need them!
SET A REALISTIC GOAL
No matter what your back ground you will have heard of the buzz phrase 'setting realistic goals'. It's true I'm afraid, you need to be realistic. If you've never trained a day in your life, have 3 kids under 5, a partner who works a 60hr week and you're the primary carer for both sets of you and your husbands parents then it's not very likely you're going to be at the finish line of an Ironman this time next year. Break it down. Long term goal is an Ironman? Fantastic - love it, I'm there! Short term goal is likely going to be identifying what times of what day you can train and then start with the short runs, the short cycle, the handful of lengths in the pool. (But keep that picture of you at the Ironman finish line in your head).
LEARN TO LET GO
As much as you can do everything, you also can't. Not all the time. And that's ok. It's ok to ask for help. If we have learnt anything over the last few years it's that it is ok to ask for help. It is encouraged. Let your mum, dad, partner, friend, brother etc take your child for half an hour so you can get that run or swim in. Let your other half cook the tea every now and then - even if it means you'll spend twice as long cleaning the cooker later. The mess can actually stay there for a short period of time before infestations start.
THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX
Get productive with your time. Can you run to work instead of driving those 3 miles? Or cycle? A lot of work places have shower facilities now and if not, somewhere close by will. The vast majority of gyms and leisure centre's allow people to come in and use the showers only. They may charge a very small fee but it's likely to be less than the cost of parking. It is also possible to shower and dry within 15mins. No you won't walk out 'cat walk ready' but what's your priority? That race you are aiming for or winning America's Next Top Model?
What about getting up half an hour earlier? I know to begin with that sounds impossible but trust me, it's a game changer once you're in that routine.
If you have young children what about a running buggy? Can you swim whilst they are in swimming lessons? Do they do an activity at a centre where you can go the gym at the same time or run round the field when they are playing rugby or cycle outside for half an hour when they are dancing? If they are older can you run alongside them when they go out on their bike?
CONSISTENCY IS THE KEY - IT'S NO SECRET
It's cheesy but it's true. If you consistently hit 3 key sessions a week as opposed to 6 this week, 2 the next, none the following week and then bash out 8 in week 4 then seriously, you're gaining nothing but a hard time. Your body doesn't have the routine to adapt and recover and your head will be all over the place resulting in a bad mood rubbing off on those nearest and dearest who ultimately will not be feeling very motivated themselves to support you in your goal. Don't set yourself up for failure by planning more sessions then you know you can manage, or at times you know you will skip them - start with key ones you know you won't have excuses for and work from there.
MOVE ON
That leads us to missed workouts. What do you do? Squeeze it in where you can? Do a double session the next day? Move your rest day? All are options yes, but, sometimes, it's best to move on from them. It was meant to happen, it didn't, if it was because you were scrolling social media for what felt like 2 minutes but was actually half an hour well, maybe not do that again, but ultimately - move on. If you have a coach - (Hi, that's me, I'm a coach) - then have a chat and see if it's worth moving it around but don't feel guilty and beat yourself up. Not even if it was Tik Tok that got you. We've all been there. Somethings come up that's either been more important or it's distracted you. One or two missed workouts are not going to see you turned away at the start line of your goal race. A few videos of dogs doing zoomies around fields with party hats on loving life will probably bring you a little joy every time you remember them though.
Hopefully you've just read something that's made you think 'actually yes, I could do that, and I do want to get in to Triathlon or Running'. Everyone needs to believe in themselves and believe that just trying something is worth it in itself. If you want it you will find the time. I did.
Comments