Taking the Time

Hi friends! When I talk to people about the main reason for not working out, it is always the same. Trigger warning! It is a four letter word; TIME. I am sure that is what you were thinking as well 😊. This word puts people either in a frenzy, scrambling for more or just leads to pure exhaustion. I am here to let you in on a little not so secret, secret. YOU make your schedule. Probably not what you wanted to hear but keep reading, I am here to help you.

I used to be all things when it came to planning out my day to day. Now I have a husband, a son in sports, I am an entrepreneur and business owner and every time I penciled in my to-do's it seemed like I was always last. Then when I finally did have time, I would be exhausted to the point I’d be scrolling on my phone for 3 hours just to let my brain check out. I realized that when I created a schedule, made my appointment with myself, and stuck to it, I actually had the time all along. The reason that most of us don’t HAVE the time to exercise is because we don’t TAKE IT!

TAKE BACK YOUR TIME by scheduling it. YOU tell your time what to do. Your calendar is not just for appointments for other things and people. Schedule yourself! Evaluate what you are doing in a day. Everything is not an emergency; everything is not necessary and some things are just not important. I can tell you from experience when I am on a schedule life is so much better. When I am flying by the seat of my pants with no order – then I get exactly what I set myself up for, chaos.

Here is what you are going to do. Review your week. What are the things you absolutely must do? Go to work, drop the kids off, make dinner?… Now what are the things you make time to do that could go in another time slot or day so that you can schedule your workout? Be realistic but non-negotiable about getting your exercise in. You will have to move some things around, but it will make you so much more efficient. When you can see where you are spending your time, you can make the adjustments. Is it better for you to work out in the morning or the evening? Can you do 30min or 60 min? Can you do 3 days a week or 5? What does a realistic schedule for your lifestyle look like? Is it dancing for 30 min while cleaning, taking a GFF fitness class? Walking to the grocery store to pick up some last minute things? These are the questions you must answer and then plan accordingly. Once it is put on the calendar it is you who sets yourself up for success.

You will be so proud of yourself. This not only creates discipline but also consistency that leads to goals being achieved. You are not lazy. You do have the time. You just needed to see how it was possible. It may seem a little overwhelming at first but trust me you will be so glad you did it. You are worth it. I believe in you and if no one told you today…You are Amazing!!

HOW TARSHA GOT HER GROOVE BACK

I’m Tarsha Gibbons, I’m a wife, believer, basketball mom, entrepreneur, business owner, redeemed lover of honey buns and most of all a fitness professional. I say those things out loud and it may sound impressive, but really I am just another person out here, trying to change lives and make a difference in any small way.

I come from humble beginnings. I stumbled into a life of health and wellness because I was overweight. I was not feeling my best and looking for a change. I found myself at Bally’s Total Fitness. Yes y’all, Bally’s I’m a 90’s fitness chick. Come on spandex and high-tops. But seriously, I found myself in love with fitness. I loved the results. I worked my way up from walking to running, from 1 aerobics class to two, from 2 days a week to 4. I also added in strength training and cut down on the fast food. I became strong with my body having definition.

There was no magic formula. I crawled before I walked, I walked before I ran, and I was running full speed ahead until 3 years ago. I found the scale had went up by 15 pounds.

Life happened, appointments happened, career moves, late nights, early mornings, excuses and I, being a fitness professional, found the scale a scary place to stand. Month after busy month, the pounds crept up, the snacks rolled in and I found myself wishing I was FEELING different. This was a new place for me. I've had a successful fitness regimen for over 22 years and now I had been going back and forth for the last 3 years. It was also discouraging because I teach fitness.

So I made a plan to let y’all in on my truth. I stepped on the scale and I put my business out there for you to see. Now it's 4 weeks later and I’ll tell you what's going on. I had to realize I was in a new season in my life and the things that use to work are not having the same effect on my body as previously. The first 2 weeks the scale moved and I lost 4 pounds. Then my schedule started up again these last 2 weeks and I am back to where I started. I know the difference this time. The scale is not going to determine if I work out or not. Can I encourage you? If you know the number on the scale is going to discourage you, don't get on it. Just let your clothes, people, and how you feel tell you what you need to know.

Here is what I recognized for myself and has been true for many of my clients - My mind was fighting me at every turn and I know better but, found myself giving in. This is where the real battle is. My body will move if I move it. I had to tell the workout hindering thoughts "Oh I am going anyway, feelings, you don't get a vote". You know what happened as I kept telling myself that I kept getting up and going. Now those thoughts don't come with as much force and subside as I put my workout clothes on :). I have to be my own cheerleader and champion. This way circumstances don't dictate how I will show up for myself today. I had to make a concrete decision. I am locked in. I am prepared to prosper. I am first. It may not be convenient but I am worth it. I am beautiful now. I believe all these things about me and you today friend.

Say something positive about yourself in the comments. Then go be AMAZING!! I am cheering you on.