It’s all working out

One of the big challenges most people face when trying to add time to exercise to their schedule, is simply finding the time.

Our society is a generation removed from the classic family, in which one partner works and the other stays home.

The average middle class family features two working parents, and single-parent families are more common than ever.

My wife and I face plenty of obstacles when it comes to our schedules. We both work. While Amber has a more of a typical 9-5 schedule, mine changes from one day to the next, and most of the time I exceed 40 hours in the work week.

We also have two young children.

There are the folks on the various weight loss television shows — lets call them professional motivators — who tell you to make exercise your No. 1 priority. While it should be a priority, working parents have to be realistic. It’s not like we can leave the kids locked up in the bedroom and run out the door to work out.

But you also can’t continue to use the lack of time excuse.

We know that, because we’ve used that excuse — a lot. That’s probably one reason why we’re at where we are now, and I am sure a good percentage of the folks participating in Trim to Win can relate.

Adding to what can seem like an overwhelming schedule can be difficult, but it’s not impossible. As with creating a healthy lifestyle in general, there are some sacrifices that have to be made. But with planning, I am sure most people can find something that works.

Amber and I have shaken up our daily routine a bit. Instead of waiting until after the kids are awake and the breakfast table to run out the door, Amber is now out of the house at 6:30 a.m. She hits the AT&T Sports Center for at least an hour, and then she’s at work at a reasonable time.

Now, I make sure the kids are up, and dressed and at the breakfast table.

Since I typically work late, I hit the Sports Center in the late morning before I get to the office.

Again, as with dieting and beginning an exercise routine, the hardest part is just getting started Once it becomes part of the routine, I am sure it will become routine.

We’re about 10 days into the challenge, and so far, it’s working out.

JB