Who has time for that?

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. (Titus 3:3)

Can we be honest here?  We all know we should exercise.  We all know we should eat right, drink water, and get a decent amount of rest each night.  We know, but we do not do it.  Let's all say it together: I do not know what I know I should on a consistent basis.  

Now that we have had our time of confession, we need to explore the why behind our lack of action.  Why do we not take the time necessary?  When I begin training new clients, the comment I hear, and most often is, "I just don't have the time."  

I want to respond by saying, "Really?  Because we all have the same amount of hours in a day.  Not enough time?  Please, you just aren't choosing to do it."  Don't worry, I nod and smile and reassure them we will work on it.

A friend once shared with me something I have found to be profoundly true, "When you say yes to something, you are saying no to something else."  With that thought in mind, what are you allowing to take the place of habits that will promote wellness in your life?

If we were to write down our activities each day, honestly, and by the hour, we would probably find that the time that always seems to fall from our grasps would be found.  The trick is to be honest in our assessments of how we spend our days.

Now that we have established the fact we more than likely do have the time we need, let's discuss practical tips we can utilize to help us ensure we will consistently walk this road of wellness:

1. Write down when you will exercise each day in your day planner, on your calendar, or your to do list for the day.
2. Have a workout partner.  When you have someone relying on you to meet them to walk, jog, lift weights, or whatever you have chosen, you will be more inclined to keep your appointment and exercise.
3. Always have water with you.  Brita has recently developed a filtered water bottle that is easy to use and very convenient.  Fill up the bottle with tap water; drink filtered water.
4. Plan your snacks in advance.  Carry healthy snacks with you.  Leave them in your car, carry them in your purse, simply make sure you always have them handy so you will not be tempted to make poor choices.
5. Plan your meals a month or week at a time.  Write out a calendar of meals you will be having and stick to it.  This will also help simplify your grocery shopping.  I lean toward preparing meals that can be stored in the freezer.  The method of preparing meals ahead of time does require a bit of effort on one day, but then the rest of the week (or month) you will only have to pull meals from your freezer and thaw them in the refrigerator prior to cooking.  Those nights you have no desire to "whip something up?"  You won't have to, you only have to throw your meal in the oven. 

Having now had our time of confession and proceeded to discuss tips to help, we can move on in the scripture in Titus:
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,  so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.  (Titus 3:4-8)

Consider yourself renewed, and justified, and washed clean of your excuses.  Go forth, and make wellness an everyday habit.

(Also, join my friends who are taking part in this 31 Days by clicking on their buttons on my tool bar on the right.)