I’m sure there’s a LOT going on in your life right now. All that "stuff" has most people stretched as tight as a guitar string. The stress from our daily lives is often used as an excuse to skip exercise (too much work to do), to eat poorly (no time to shop for and prepare healthy foods), and to generally be lazy (I’m tired from all the work).This behavior tends to compound the problem. We use sugar and caffeine to cope, both of which cause crashes that deplete our energy. Worse yet, some turn to vices such as nicotine, alcohol and other drugs as an outlet for stress. Once again this only makes the original problem worse while adding new problems to the mix.
Then of course some people turn to massive quantities of food as insulation from stress. I don't think I even need to explain how this makes it all worse still.
The solution is commitment. Commitment to your own health and fitness goals can carry you through these times. But I don’t want you to believe me, I want you to try it.
Pull out your calendar as soon as you finish reading this and mark off the times you’re going to exercise. Mark off time to shop for groceries or healthy foods, and mark off time to prepare those foods, even if it’s just cutting up some vegetables in the morning before work.
Try it for a week or two. You think you don’t have time, but MAKE TIME for 1-2 weeks and see how you feel.
If you can channel all your stress into exercise you will feel much better. Use exercise as your escape. Some love to exercise in the mornings, but I personally love to go smack in the middle of my day, or any time I’m feeling unproductive. I let’s me clear my mind and rejuvenate my body.
Exercise clears away stress and channels negativity into something both positive and productive. It allows you to come back to the rest of your day refreshed and focused. It also will help you sleep better at night so you don’t need stimulants throughout the day.
If you give this a legitimate try to a full 1-2 weeks, chances are very high you’ll realize that carving out time for your health not only saves you many painful years later in life, but can help you be more productive every day.
The hour or so you lose to exercise each day is paid back several times over with this increased mental state, energy level and overall productivity. It’s also likely to help you be more positive and improve your interaction with others as you deal with them from a better perspective.
Get out that calendar now!
