Today is World Health Day!
Apropos, since I’ve been down and out for the last week 😏
For the last year or so, I’ve been trying to prioritize health in the form of exercise and it has NOT been easy. Trying to find a rhythm and a routine that sticks, while also maintaining the flexibility needed as a parent to two young kids, all within the confines of running a small business, is no easy feat.
Within the last few months though, I have attempted to schedule my workouts around all the things– meetings, school pickups and holidays, etc. That was met with limited success, since I really thrive on routine and need the consistency. At the same time that I was trying to figure out a workout routine, I was also seeking to get my professional calendar in order. In an effort to make it easier for clients to schedule time with me, I started using Calendly, and coincidentally, it actually made scheduling my workouts easier too! I take my wins where I can get them these days.
What’s Working Out
Pun intended.
Since Calendly syncs with my calendar, my scheduled workouts now appear as appointments in my professional calendar, automatically blocking the time off, so I can guarantee that I don’t bump a workout for work. This might all seem pretty basic, but for whatever reason, I wasn’t great at adhering to it in the moment. Inevitably, I would get an inquiry for a meeting during a pre-scheduled workout and I would think to myself, sure, I can just swap stuff around. Blame my people-pleasing inability to say no. Alas, the swapping never came to fruition. I would take the meeting and skip the workout. A link where people can find a convenient time, while also not running into my workout, has been a game-changer. I don’t have to say no, Calendly does it for me, ha!
I’ve also had to concede a little, too; the big thing being that I do not like working out in the mornings, which I now am doing. I used to love to settle into my work day first thing, as it is when my brain is freshest, and then close out my day with a solid workout in the afternoon when my limbs were ready to think about exercise. Now, since mornings are really the only time I’m 99% guaranteed to have coverage for the kids, I make it work. As a nice bonus, I’m finding that the endorphin kick from a morning workout carries me further in the day.
It’s not a perfect system and I still have to rearrange the day every once in a while (I’m looking at you, school holidays) but it’s progress and that, I suppose, is the important thing. I’m even looking forward (dare I say) to getting back on track when this illness is all said and done.
Since this is a work in progress, I’d love to hear any other tips or strategies for prioritizing health and exercise. Feel free to share– I’m looking for all the help I can get these days!