“I don’t have time” and “I’m too busy” are two of the top reasons why people have a tough time committing to a gym membership.

However, research shows that exercise improves mood, sleep, health, weight control and increases energy levels, so why does it get put on the back burner when life gets hectic? When stress levels are on the rise, we should be prioritizing the one activity that can help us manage that stress in a healthy way.

Now, consider how you are really spending your time. The average person spends over 120 minutes per day on social media and four hours per day on a mobile device. What would you lose applying just one of those six hours to exercising?

I know sometimes our to-do list can be overwhelming. In fact, if I l considered all the things that needed to get done right now, I would spend more time stressing about what needs to get done instead of actually accomplishing anything.

So how do I make time to get my tasks done and still fit in exercise?

I make a list of 3 or 4 high priority tasks that need to be accomplished each day. If it is a big project, like writing 24 sets of meal plans, I might chunk that larger project down into smaller pieces. When those large tasks are accomplished, I move to the medium priority tasks. This process breaks up the tasks that need to get one into a much more manageable list. I also write them down in my planner so that I can cross them off as they are finished. Each time I cross something off the list, it’s a WIN! 

Make sure to include exercise in your list of high priority tasks.

Here’s Four Ways To Make Fitness A Priority:

1. Schedule Your Workout Time
Life gets crazy as a gym owner and working in the gym, it’s easy to focus on other tasks that need to get done. Before you know it, the day is over and you didn’t get a workout in. By actually blocking off an hour of your day for exercise, you will ensure you get your workout in. This should also be listed as one of your tasks on your priority list.

2. Try Early Morning Workouts
Don’t wait until the end of the day to workout. If possible, start your day off with a sweat. This is a great way to make sure you have time to get your workout in and beat the heat. Also, you are less likely to be tired from a day of work.

3. Make It A Part Of Your Daily Routine
Would you skip brushing your teeth? Make exercise part of your daily routine by picking the same time of day to workout. It takes about 30 days to build a habit, so commit to a certain schedule for 30 days and see how it automatically fits into your routine after that.

4. Stop By The Gym On Your Way Home From Work
If you are working out after work, go straight to the gym instead of going home first. If you go home first, you are more likely to get distracted by chores and work.

We make a choice to prioritize what is important to use. A former boss once told me, “Look at how you spend your time. Where you spend most of your time is what you value most in life.” Does your time reflect what you prioritize in life? If you value your health, exercise should be at the top of the list.

Make the choice to value your time and commit to your health.