Finding the Time to Exercise
By Scott Schwartz of PLUS ONE FITNESS

If I had to make my list of the top ten problems people have with starting a program, finding the time for exercise would definitely be at the top of it. But, here’s the thing: If you’re looking to find some spare time when you can fit exercise in, forget it.
We’re living in the early part of the 21st century. No one has spare time. It’s like “spare money.”
You can choose to budget money and time any way you want, but none of it is extra, none of it is spare.
Time is the great equalizer. The poorest person on the planet and the richest have exactly the same amount of no less. So, let’s forget about finding exactly the same amount of it, twenty-four hours per day. No more, no less. So, let’s forget about finding extra time (Where are you going to find it, under a rock?) Instead, let’s talk about developing a budget. Let’s talk about creating your life the way you want it to be!
So let’s dispel this notion, of, “I can’t find the time.” Of course you can’t. Neither can I. The problem is not one of time. It’s one of habit development. It’s about taking something that you’re not used to doing – exercise – and turning it into something that you’re not use to doing without. Work on the plan for habit acquisition and believe me, time will take care of itself.
Well, if I can be blunt, because no one likes to do what they stink at, if you keep having an unsuccessful experience with something, you just stop doing it. It’s not fun to fail. And that’s what most people have done with their exercise programs. The cut off a big chunk right at the beginning. They can’t chew it and they spit it out. So, they stop.
In the first months of exercise, all we’re trying to do is to log those positives. We need to get into a habit building mode, not in “How much exercise did I do?” mode. It is not important how much you do – what is important is that you do something consistently. That’s how we build a habit successfully. What you’re really trying to do here is condition your subconscious. You want to trick it into thinking it is always a “win” situation for you. Maybe for you, right now, that means just doing twenty minutes per day. No problem. Your conscious mind may be saying, “20 minutes a day can’t possibly make a difference.” But, it’s dead wrong. What makes a difference – and believe me, this is the most important difference of all – is that you keep your work to yourself. You said you would do it twenty minutes, and you did twenty minutes. I may not seem like much, but on a subconscious level you are learning the most valuable lesson in habit development; you’re learning to believe your own words.
You’re learning to believe that when you say you are doing something, it happens. And that is truly the secret of starting a successful exercise program.

MAGGIE’S MEMO:
Scott Schwartz has been a certified personal trainer for 17 years and will be happy to customize a program for your individual needs. Take the first step on your road to better health – PLUS ONE at 410-219-3092 or drop by 913 Snow Hill Road in Salisbury.

MAGGIE SAYS:
Maggie found a wide range of ages and fitness levels at PLUS ONE FITNESS. The facility and equipment are first class. Let PLUS ONE FITNESS help you to a healthier you!