Wenger: Plan to be fit or pay the price
Time is money.
But it also takes time to get on the treadmill, prepare healthy meals, get adequate sleep and enjoy a few minutes of relaxation each day.
Managing the day and finding the time to be healthy and happy while balancing the need to make enough money to survive makes time management a challenge.
Every night or early morning, we plan for the day.
We make sure we have the food for lunches and clothes for work and fitness and a plan for how to get everywhere on time.
Add a few extra family members to the schedule and the plot thickens.
The key is writing things down.
What time do I work?
What time am I done?
Can I fit anything into my lunch or coffee break?
Walking or doing yoga at lunch or a 15-minute strength-training routine on a coffee break are options.
Fitting workouts in that way allow me to spend some time on the couch when I actually do get home.
For some of us, the early mornings and evenings are the only time to fit in any fitness through the week.
Whether we have a bike or treadmill or some handweights at home or we go to the gym before or after work or dinner — the key is planning.
If it’s not in the plan, it’s not going to happen.
Some weeks are crazier, so there will be less time for the elements of healthy living.
As long as the effort is there, we can celebrate what we accomplished and plan adaptations from there.
I’ve seen parents walking the perimeter of the rink or the soccer field and I applaud. Some days it’s nice to sit.
Other days, it’s essential to move.
Finding and enjoying the balance is critical.
Shawn Wenger is a BCRPA-registered personal trainer and weight -training and group-fitness instructor. She runs Fitness For Mortals. E-mail fitnessformortals@gmail.com for information.
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