Crazy is the New Normal

Sometimes it seems like there are so many obstacles in our way to fitness.  Here we are three weeks into the new year and some of us are still trying to hit our stride and create the routine that will make exercise just another part of our day.  It can be really easy to throw our hands up and say, "I just need things to be normal again!"  Any number of things come up during the day or the work week that throw a hurdle in our way and make us think that we just can't work with this.
But here's the thing - there is a very good chance that things will never go back to "normal."

Work will always be crazy.

People will always have something for you to do.

Your kids will always have some last-minute thing come up.

Crazy is the new normal. You have to be able to work with that.  Luckily, it's easier than you think.

Think about it - the things you need to do to get and stay healthy - exercise and eat well -  are completely within your control (assuming that the thing that comes up isn't something that severs your limbs. In that case, yeah, you're screwed for a while).  I will pretty much guarantee you that no one is going to come up to you during the day, pry open your mouth, and shove food into it.  Even when your day is crazy, you control what you eat.

The other thing you need to do to get and be healthy is exercise.  Unless your limbs have been severed off or you are otherwise immobile, this is also in your control.  Yeah, I know you're busy, that's why the gym opens at 5:00 am and some are open 24/7.  Go there. Get up early and go!  Or stay up late and go!  Or go at lunch!  Just go!  I'm busy too, and that's why I go workout when the rest of my family is sleeping and no one needs me. 

Life is crazy and will likely never go back to normal.  Crazy is the new normal - work with it!

No time to workout? Shut yo mouth!

A friend of mine just told me that she can't workout because she has to clean her house before she goes out of town.

Uh huh.  You know who you are.  That's right.

I can totally relate - nothing zaps away all of that R&R from a long relaxing weekend like coming home to a house that looks like it was used as a set in the next kids-go-crazy-when-parents-are-gone movie, complete with the tiny family pet whose cage was left open and now resides inside your dryer vent.  I even go so far as to pre-set the table or lay out my work (and workout) clothes that I am going to wear the day after I return so I don't even have to think about those things.  Yeah, I'm that girl.

But, we all know that the only workout that is optional is the second workout of the day.  Right?  So, we have three choices here:

1. Clean the house really really fast so there is time for a workout.  Totally doable.  I've been known to get my house to Martha Stewart standards in less than 45 minutes when properly motivated.  Two words: scrubbing bubbles.  I spray that crap on everything that doesn't move.

2. Workout really really efficiently so there is time to clean.  Another good option.  There are many compound exercises, circuit routines, or interval training sessions that can burn major calories in as little as 30 minutes.  Not prime, but managable for those busy days.

3. Turn your housework into a workout.  Crank up some music, grab a dustpan, and get ready to clean where the sun don't shine. 

Well, my domestic little friend, this is your lucky day!  Choose any of the above and you are a winner.  And if you choose number three, here is a handy guide to help you clean out your house and your workout excuses.

And more!

Turn Household Chores into a Workout

Calculate the Calories Burned Doing Housework

Tone Up with Housework