Balance

July 19, 2010

photo by D Sharon Pruitt via Flickr

One of the questions I asked Shay during the 5K was “How do you manage it all? Your job, your family, your other committments?” It was kind of funny, beacuse she flipped it back on me and said “well, how are you doing it?” I explained that I just had to make the choice that fitness was one of my top priorities. Even if that means getting up at 5am for a pre-work workout, or going at 9pm because that’s the only time in the day I could make. And she said “Exactly.”

Exactly.

There is no science on how to make more time. Time is a limited resource. Each second that ticks by is another second that we’ll never, ever get back. Kind of scary (and a little morbid) when you think about it.

How do you choose to use your time?

Last night, as I was laying in the dark while my husband dozed beside me, my mind was racing. I knew the workload I had coming up this week and next week was very, very demanding. A lot of projects coming together at one time. Traveling next week for work. The house needs a good vacuuming/mopping/dusting. Hubs’ schedule isn’t any better. Pup needs to go to the vet and get groomed. I have a goal of blogging once per day. I made plans for two nights this week with friends. I’m two episodes behind on True Blood (crazy!). I NEED TO WORK OUT.

So the next couple of weeks are going to be a lesson in balance. How can I offset my work stress when I’m not there? Fat Emmie would have vegged, watched lots of TV, gotten take-out every night, and then snacked until it was time to go to bed. This Emmie got up and did her workout at 5:30am, went to work and was super-productive (albeit stressed), got home a little late, made cajun salmon and kale with garlic, watched “Losing It with Jillian” from my DVR, threw the clothes in the dryer, fed the pup, and am now blogging. As soon as I hit “publish” on this post, I will promptly get in bed with full intentions of doing the same thing tomorrow.

Balance isn’t easy. If it were, our lives would be much more easy-breezy. We are in control of our own choices. We have the power to say “no.” I might have to reschedule 1 of my nights out with friends. Does it kind of suck? Yes. Would losing my sanity or losing my rhythm of productivity and getting up early suck more? Heck yes.

So right now, make your choice. Tomorrow I choose to be balanced.

What do you need in your life to balance? How do you fit it all in? What are your tips?

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Tagged as: balance, motivation

  • Lamar Wilson

    Great Post Emmy! I think I may have to steal this topic. Because I get asked the same on http://wesandthefatguy.com I will definitely link to you.

  • http://awonderingspirit.blogspot.com TheGreatAskini

    Wow–it's like you knew what I needed to hear today! I've been struggling with my weight for years and now, with a toddler, I have no clue how to balance my life and my workouts. Thank you for writing this and giving me something to think about.

  • http://chasingthenow.wordpress.com/ maria @ Chasing the Now

    I admire you! Even with all the time I have free during the day, I sometimes can't make it work the way I'd like. You just have to decide what is most important and what can wait until a different day.

  • http://debbidoesdinnerhealthy.blogspot.com/ Debbi Does Dinner Healthy

    I so loved this post! You're so right. It is all a choice. No one is going to make time FOR us to do this. I keep meaning to get up an hour early and wake up and start the day but I don't. Starting next Monday I am going to do it. (I'm on vacation this week so I am SO not getting up early). I so love your posts, thank you so much!!

  • Fluffy girl

    I make working out my top priority before doing anything thing else like going out with friends. If it wasnt a top priority then I wouldn't be 34 pounds lighter.

  • http://www.twenty-six-to-life.com Kate

    It's so hard to fit it all in sometimes. I find that my routine works best when I can get up early in the morning and do my workout first thing, but it just takes one late night to get me out of whack and exhaust me for the next day. When that happens, I try to make it the next “first thing I do” that day. So before I watch TV, or do chores, or go shopping, etc. the first thing I do is workout. It's hard, because sometimes it does mean something else doesn't get done, but at least this way I know the most important got accomplished!

  • Joie

    Get up on those True Blood's girl! I caught up last night…SOOOOO worth every single second. And then worth the seconds I hit rewind for a good part….

    Droooooooooling….

    Oh yeah, and totally yay for working out!

  • http://LowStressWeightLoss.com Sarah@LowStressWeightLoss

    Good topic to spark thought!

    I say no to a lot more now. I have realized in my life in general that I can't have it all at the same time. Out 2 nights with friends? Not likely for me.

    The biggest thing I do is adjust my goals & plans for weight loss to each week as it comes. I have a professional job which is about 50% travel (currently writing this from Munich) and instead of having a daily routine my weekly plan has become my routine. Some weeks I can buckle down and focus, other weeks are more challenging.

    I also combine fun activities (like watching tv shows) with exercise. I only let myself watch tv episodes when i'm at the gym. We live TV free and so all shows are watched on dvd or iTunes but I limit my consumption to when i'm working out. That way I look forward to the gym for one more reason.

    Basically, the way I choose to use my time is by focusing on a few things that really matter to me. I let a lot of other stuff go, for now. I do re-evaluate my priorities periodically so I know that 'not now' doesnt mean 'not ever'

  • The Me Within

    I just wanted to let you know I left you a versatile award on my website. Your an awesome lady! I hope you will stop by and pick it up when you get a chance ;-)

    I hope your doing well!
    Shannon – The Me Within

  • Pingback: You don’t always have to like it — Skinny Emmie Weight Loss Blog

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