The modern proverb “failing to plan is planning to fail” is the foundation of my mantra SCHEDULE f-IT-ness.  Just schedule it!!! I am a firm believer in planning and follow through.  Follow through requires our planning activities and fitness.  Every month, I’ll post my scheduled fitness in the side bar for easy access as inspiration for you to plan your own fitness.  Sure we can do some workouts together but exercise is most beneficial when individuals find activities that make them happy.  This site is all about finding and committing to YOUR specific weight loss efforts, physical activities, and healthcare needs & preferences. Therefore each month, I’ll also make available a blank printable for you to post in a visible area after you have planned your workouts for the month.  You can download the first one here.

FINDING THE TIME

The first thing you need to do is figure out your prime time. Your prime time is the 30 minutes to an hour on at least 3 to 5 days of the week that you can devote to exercise. This is a very important step.  This prime time is what you call “ME TIME”!  You may have to solicit babysitting assistance for the kids from the spouse, children’s other parent (if not married), your parents or in-laws. If you are totally on your own, then you have some options.  Gyms have daycares that are safe. You can hire a regular high school age babysitter if you want your child to stay at home.  You can do your workouts from home if you don’t like the idea of babysitters. The key is, finding uninterrupted time slots and holding firm to that schedule just as you do for your place of employment. People have a lot of excuses, especially when it comes to their children and their disease of laziness. Try not to hide behind your children as excuses for not having time. If they have multiple after school activities, then you might be a candidate for early morning exercise. Kids are not the only excuse. You will have to explain to your significant other that you are committed to health and the times that you schedule for exercise are important and need to be respected.  Don’t break the rules here in there or you will find yourself arguing all the time or frustrated.  Lay down the law from the beginning but don’t go over board and live at the gym or in the basement.  Losing weight can be intoxicating especially if you have been overweight all your life. It should all be done in the healthiest way.

Write It Down 

Once you know when you are available, it’s just a matter of writing it down.  No, in your mind doesn’t work. Writing makes you accountable and posting it visibly reinforces that accountability.  You can go a step further and share it with an accountability partner and they can serve as your motivation when times get tough.

I hope will adopt my mantra, SCHEDULE f-IT-ness if you haven’t already been operating under such. It’s much easier to tell people, no I can’t do that, I already have plans.  You may be thinking, I don’t have to answer to other people, and yes that is true.  Most people do however end up neglecting their own exercise efforts due to being pulled in another direction by other individuals. Good luck with planning!

Here is an example…

Joi’s December 2012 Activity Agenda

Rx Fitness Lady wants to know…

• What are your new “plans” for fitness in 2013?
• Who is your Fitness accountability partner?