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3 Tips for Making Health a Priority

29 September, 2014 by Giselle Rochford 31 Comments

Trish from Beyond the Khaki PantsMy name is Trish and I blog over at Beyond the Khaki Pants and I am excited to be filling in for Giselle today talking about health!!

One of my passions as a physical therapist is talking to my patients about prioritizing health in their lives. It’s something I talk about many times per day. As a PT, I know I ask a lot of my patients. I make them come see me once or twice a week. I ask them to do their exercises at home. I ask them to stop doing activities that they may love.

Even though many of my patients think that I am asking a lot of them, really what I want is for them to make health a priority in their life. That is, after all, my goal for them. And unfortunately, the trend I see with my patients is not going in the direction of making healthy lifestyle choices. I firmly believe that you can have everything in this world, but it would mean absolutely nothing without good health. Yet, we take our health for granted so often.

If there is one thing I know about living a healthy life is that it takes time, money and energy. These three things are what I constantly hear as barriers to living a health-full lifestyle. These are tips and tricks I use to help motivate others to make health a top priority in their life.

MakingHealthaPriority

 

Time

The problem? Finding time to make a healthy dinner and hit the gym are the basic necessities of being healthy. I think this is the number one excuse I hear that prohibits people from prioritizing health. Many don’t have time to make dinner or time to go to the gym. I get it. I really do. Life is busy.

The solution: What I encourage is thinking about this time as a top priority in someone’s day. I want people to think about the time at the gym or making dinner being just as important and necessary as going to work. While I know you have to go to work and you don’t have to go to the gym, it’s the idea that if someone changes their perspective on the value of this time, it will help create new patterns. Saying “no” to some obligations may be necessary in order to free up time in the day for exercise, cooking and general rest.

Money

The problem? Being healthy costs money. I’m here to tell you that it does. There are, of course, frugal ways to incorporate health into your life, but I know that being healthy costs money. Gym memberships..cost money. Babysitters (if you need one to go work out)… cost money. Healthy food…costs money (and typically far more than processed and unhealthy foods). When you don’t have enough money to go around, it’s hard to prioritize health.

The solution: Out of all the money you bring in each month, I encourage patients to spend it on their health BEFORE things like clothes, technology or events. When health becomes a priority, it’s easier to think about spending this way. This is tough…there may not be a lot of money to go around and the commercialism mindset of our society makes it easy to buy buy buy. Say no to eating out once a week so that you can afford that gym membership.

Energy

The problem? Finding the energy to do it all is tough. And I know the last thing many people want to do after a long day at work or school is go exercise. It’s a slippery slope though. The more people stop exercising, the more likely they are to feel fatigued. Then they stop exercising more…and then consequently feel more fatigued. See where I’m going with this?

The solution: Find the energy to work out by starting with a group class or getting together with a friend. Build off the energy from the group. Before you know it, it will be a lot easier to find the energy to work out and will likely find yourself sleeping better because of it.

How do you prioritize health in your life?

Connect with me at:
Blog: Beyond the Khaki Pants
Twitter: @KhakiPantsBlog
Facebook: Beyond the Khaki Pants

Filed Under: Healthy Living, Healthy Living Tips

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Comments

  1. Erin @ The Almond Eater says

    29 September, 2014 at 7:03 am

    Mhmmm these are all so true. I definitely think you have to develop a mindset and prioritize it, which can take time but after awhile making dinner and/or going to the gym will become second nature.
    Erin @ The Almond Eater recently posted…Pear and Cinnamon Muffins

    Reply
  2. Ashley says

    29 September, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Great tips! This year was the first time I put my health first and I can’t imagine living any other way now that I’ve been doing it for so long.
    Ashley recently posted…How To Thrive Even When Your Business or Blog Is Slow

    Reply
  3. Lindsay says

    29 September, 2014 at 11:14 am

    These are all so true, but it’s also important to note that exercise doesn’t have to come from a gym. If you can get over feeling a little silly, pop yourself in front of a few Youtube videos and do bodyweight challenges like squats and planks. I think it’s a lot more fun than pumping iron at the gym! And a lot cheaper, and easier to fit into my schedule!

    -Lindsay from Dearest Darling

    Reply
  4. Stephanie says

    29 September, 2014 at 1:34 pm

    I schedule every single one of my workout and plan our day/activities around them. It’s helped me so much. I don’t push my run to the side when I know that I have allotted the whole morning to running to the park for some play with our little guy.
    Stephanie recently posted…A.RHEA and MARG Wet Bag Review & DISCOUNT CODE

    Reply
  5. Nicole @ Squash on Squash says

    29 September, 2014 at 1:58 pm

    I think a lot of people want to make health a priority, but don’t actually take the steps to keep it up. Having these 3 things to remind yourself about makes it easier, rather than trying to gather motivation from so many different sources.
    Nicole @ Squash on Squash recently posted…My Athlete Profile on Serious Squash

    Reply
  6. Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious says

    29 September, 2014 at 2:10 pm

    Great tips! I also think scheduling gym time or meal prepping like any other appointment helps too!
    Megan @ Skinny Fitalicious recently posted…Vegan Pumpkin Cornbread

    Reply
  7. Ree says

    29 September, 2014 at 3:26 pm

    Thanks for the tips! I try to find a small group class where my attendance is expected, and my absence will not go unnoticed! I also found something I love, which is tennis, for my cardio 3 days a week. I can’t wait to get out to the court, which is more than I could ever say for the treadmill at the gym!
    Ree recently posted…why we love fall

    Reply
  8. Leslie says

    29 September, 2014 at 4:05 pm

    These are great and it is hard, but if you’re willing to stay committed it’s just another thing to do during the day. I’m making better choices. I haven’t had a soda today and I feel great! I did replace it with a green tea with citrus, so I don’t know if that was any better for me or not. Great find!
    Leslie recently posted…Low Carb Bunless Burgers

    Reply
  9. Nickely Challenged says

    29 September, 2014 at 4:16 pm

    Wow! I never thought of it like that. Definitely keeping in mind.

    Reply
  10. Cassie says

    29 September, 2014 at 5:49 pm

    Such awesome tips… you’re right, healthy is easy IF you make it a priority. And… even if it’s kind of expensive to be healthy, as you get older be unhealthy is even MORE expensive!
    Cassie recently posted…Gluten Free Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

    Reply
  11. Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine says

    29 September, 2014 at 7:02 pm

    The energy excuse kills me- I know I sometimes feel like that, especially after a busy work week when I haven’t had time to exercise. I just remember how much more energy I have when I am exercising, and it gets me to the gym/studio/trail.

    I have a hard time understanding why people have such a hard time prioritizing health. They want the benefits, but don’t want to put in the work. The work is totally worth it!
    Michelle @ Vitamin Sunshine recently posted…Homemade Enchilada Sauce {Gluten Free}

    Reply
  12. Rosi says

    29 September, 2014 at 10:30 pm

    Health is a huge priority for me and my family. I make the time, whether that’s getting up at 4am or doing the weeks grocery run at 8pm at night so I can get food prep done early the next day. It’s whatever it takes really and I like to switch it up and keep it exciting for me and my family. 🙂
    Rosi recently posted…Go Nuts for Donuts!

    Reply
  13. Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment says

    30 September, 2014 at 12:04 am

    First time to your blog and first time commenting! Look forward to reading more.
    Lauren @ The Bikini Experiment recently posted…Savory Squash a la Betsy

    Reply
  14. GiGi Eats says

    30 September, 2014 at 9:25 am

    Being healthy = non negotiable!!! Nuff said, ha ha ha!
    GiGi Eats recently posted…Joan Rivers: A Toast To You!

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    24 October, 2020 at 12:58 pm

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Trackbacks

  1. Cruise Directing + A Starbucks GIVEAWAY - Beyond the Khaki Pants says:
    30 September, 2014 at 7:51 am

    […] up, go over to my girl Giselle’s blog, Diary of an Ex Sloth, where I wrote a guest post yesterday talking about making health a priority. Health is my passion, but I don’t talk […]

    Reply

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