Priorities and Perspective by Michelle Hanson
“You are OBSESSED!” My husband stops and stares at me as I am working out at 10:00pm. That is never a good sign. “I am not obsessed–I just need to meet my goals for the week.” He is my huge supporter of me and my new lifestyle, but he is also my gauge. I asked him why he feels that I am obsessed, and he answered “All you are ever thinking about is working out. You set your whole day around working out and not around me and the kids.” My kids were feeling it too as they were bummed when I had to finish up my workout before I could start movie night.
I don’t feel like I’m obsessed, but I have been determined to get my goals in and finished for the week. I have to ask myself, “are my goals to high?”’ I am not a professional weight lifter, I don’t do this for my job, I have no reason to go above and beyond what a normal workout program asks, so what gives? I think we need to take a step back to reality once and awhile and take a look at our priorities and how they can all work together to take care of ourselves, our goals, and still take care of our loved ones. There is a balance and we just need to find it.
Make a List of Priorities
Everyone has different priorities. Faith, Husband, Kids, hobbies, work. How can I make all of these work while still getting my fitness goals in? As hard as it is, getting your workouts in early morning can relieve some of this pressure. Set your alarm clock, sleep in your workout clothes if you have to, and get moving! You will have less interruptions and less frustration with the little ones if you have that time to yourself. As much as I love them–I don’t want to be frustrated with them over a workout and trying to finish. Less interruptions means your workouts will go faster, too. Another way is to take a look at what workouts you can do with your kids? Running while they ride bike, or taking a good long brisk walk with a stroller is a good way to get some of your workouts in with your kiddos. I have always loved working out in the evenings, but that time spent with the hubby after the kids go to bed is priceless. I want to make this a priority for us as well, so mornings it is for me! . Take up running or walking with your spouse or as a family. Adding exercise to your daily schedule will bring new bonding time and bring new energy to your family.
Goal Setting
I feel the goals I have set for myself the past couple weeks are above and beyond my lifestyle as far as my workouts are concerned. You need to push yourself, yes, but remember where you are in your journey. Goals are not going to be as much or as little as someone else. Find what feels right to you and go from there. We need to keep ourselves in check and keep a healthy balance of what is realistic for our lives. Setting goals too high too fast can lead to burnout–fatigue and feeling like a failure. My goals have all been met not by going above and beyond, but following the guidelines. My family was feeling it the last couple weeks as every evening I would be running out of the house trying to get my miles in, after working out in the mornings as I was striving above and beyond what I really need to. We need to keep ourselves in check and use our family or friends as our gauge.
Making Goals for your Priority List
So how do we make it all work together in our daily routine and fitness goals? Remember your priority list? What things can you cut out of your schedule to make time? Take a look at social networking, emailing, watching t.v. How much time does all of this suck out of your day? What goals can we set as a family to limit our time in front of a screen, and start spending time together having real conversation and getting to know each other? I challenge you this week to make time together as a couple, and as a family without something that uses electricity. Play a board game, go fishing, spend time out in the woods, or for a wilderness walk seeing what beauty there is beyond a screen and a keyboard or remote. Set goals for your week and help keep a healthy balance in your life. Don’t forget to get a good night sleep as well. Your body needs it with all the added workouts in your routine. The extra energy makes you feel you may not need as much sleep, but you still need a good 8 hours. You will meet all of your goals with consistency and healthy boundaries.
Keeping Your Priorities in Check
We can meet all of our goals while keeping our priorities in check. Follow what feels right to you and your family and keep that balance. The guidelines of the Determinite program are healthy guidelines and anything above that is completely up to you and your lifestyle. I encourage you to push yourself and continue to strive in your journey, just keep yourself in check, so that you don’t burn yourself out or your family.