My 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.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Wow! I never thought of it like that. Definitely keeping in mind.
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
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}
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!
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
Being healthy = non negotiable!!! Nuff said, ha ha ha!
GiGi Eats recently posted…Joan Rivers: A Toast To You!
Health should always be a priority, because it is the most important value of our life. And whatever addiction you have, everything is curable at heroindetoxeurope hospital. Let’s live paying more attention and care to our health, excluding everything that affects it negatively
I think one of the best ways is to learn how to prioritize. This is an important skill. We push the most difficult, important, unpleasant matters to the background. Meanwhile we are doing something fun and easy. This leads to severe stress in the end: a fall in self-esteem, loss of self-esteem, awareness of time spent aimlessly. If you feel the same, contact the Heroindetoxeurope Clinic, the best specialists work there who will hear you
Lucas recently posted…Drug detox clinic – The best solution
The principle is simple: at work, do not forget about rest and physical activity. Longevity and beauty are impossible without a balanced diet. And if you have special goals in sports, consider them when supplementing your diet. For example, when gaining weight, this https://samsonsteroidsuk.com/ will be an excellent tool. If on the contrary – just more activity and a small deficit. You will achieve everything
It is generally believed that cardiological problems arise mainly among elderly citizens, but, as studies show, they are also relevant among young people. According to experts, the blame for the rapid rejuvenation of cardiovascular diseases is attributed to the peculiarities of the rhythm of life of the population and the mass nature of stressful situations. Therefore, experts advise you to start visiting a cardiologist https://health.usnews.com/doctors/andrea-natale-7687 from the age of 35.
Thank you so much for this article. Such an informative post, many things are clear now to me. It is really very helpful for me.
Our body has its own supply of cannabinoids. Researchers believe that supplementing this system with plant-based cannabinoids, such as oral or topical CBD https://area52.com/delta-8-products/ , can improve the balance of health, including skin condition. CBD is also known as a soothing ingredient, useful in the treatment of a variety of diseases-from arthritis to irritated skin.
I notice very strongly how stress and constant unpleasant situations worsen my condition, lower my immunity, worsen my health, and so on. Now I can smoke some weed https://westcoastbud.io/products/edibles/ as a support and also use things like THC Distillate Syringe to relieve stress and fatigue, and that’s what works very cool. The main thing is to choose a reliable online store to buy only quality products .