I’ve been thinking over the past few days about how I can really make a proper schedule for myself and how to actually execute it. My “dietitian”, Hubs and my coach all mentioned that to really have a life – work balance I have to pretty much force myself into the routine that I want until it feels natural.
The dietitian said pretty much that this is where I’m going to stay if I don’t make a stronger commitment to fitness and food. Right now it’s ok. Today it’s ok. But ultimately there are fitness and health goals I would like to reach. Not numbers, but actual goals like running farther and maybe even faster, getting more sleep, choosing to eat well and have that be a real, natural choice. I can keep doing what I’m currently doing of course. There is nothing wrong with it. However, I’m not getting any younger and there are races to be run and cute running skirts to get into.
My coach suggested to find that life –work balance I need to really consider how to improve in the areas where I lose the most time. We all know where that is, don’t we? That would be the 20+ hours a week I lose in commuting. Oh what I could do with those 20 hours! At the moment I am getting up at 5 – 5.30am, but there is a possibility that I could fit my running into the mornings, then I would be up at 4.30 LATEST (probably more like 4). Um. Yeah. That’s not going to get me more sleep, that’s for sure and I’d love to use some of that commuting time for sleep! He suggested then that I find and propose a way to work from home at least one day a week. I need to think about this plan and then propose it SOONER rather than later. Putting things off doesn’t improve ones life any quicker, right?
Working from home could accomplish things also from an exercise standpoint. I could plan to always go to the gym the night before and for a run that day, since I would be home all day anyway and most certainly home before 7pm! On those days as well I obviously could sleep in a wee bit.
Hubs already made up a plan for me (he’s efficient like that) but I’m not entirely sold on it. He also suggested that I just have fixed days and if anything comes up or I have to skip running or gym, I just skip. No guilt, just moving on. No trying to make up the next day, no worrying about burning cals before or after something fun like going to the pub with my mates came up, or football (like this weekend). Just, this is the schedule and if you miss, too bad, no big deal. I like the concept, it takes off the pressure and it keeps me in the present moment. Obviously I would do what I could to keep to the schedule, but you know, life happens sometimes! One suggestion he also made is that we always go running together on Sundays. I like that too; something good for us that we are doing together.
I am going to come up with a plan for all of this very soon. I wanted to already make a commitment, but I’m being realistic now. I have exactly 10 working days left before I am on holiday and half of those days include travel to our Germany office, month-end close, figuring out who’s going to be my backup and training someone in a new role. I am not going to put the pressure on to also break my butt getting home, going to the gym, running at 4am, going to a WW meeting, etc., before then.
So. The head space is freed and more thinking will be done and a good workable solution will be in place soon. AFTER the holiday ;-)
I LOVE this post! I’m a HUGE proponent of people trying to work from home 1-2 days/week. Point out to your employer that study after study has shown that employees are actually MORE productive when they work from home than they are at the office.
Looking forward to hearing how it goes!
I cant wait either as I found FOR ME I worked harder and in so much less time when I worked (work) from home.
and I was happier :)
way.
I have also been thinking of doing a course and getting over my fear of doing something in my non-mother-tongue language. I will never BE my true me if I continue to make excuses and let fear run my life!
So working from home and expanding my horizons may very well be on the menu in the coming months!
It’s strange that we have to go balls to the wall to establish a new habit, but once that habit becomes ingrained in our routine, it becomes the new norm, the new balance.
I couldn’t imagine not training now. I mean, I guess I could, but I don’t want to.
To find my balance now, I have to train, I like eating “healthy” but I also like all those “bad” foods (yummy ball park kettle corn and nachos!). For me, food is more about finding a balance because I don’t like being restricted, but in general, I naturally control my portion sizes now. I get full when I overeat and feel sick.
I think it’s just about re-training your body to establish and accept a new norm :) You can do it!
I have not yet had to balance healthy living with actual real life living yet but I go back to law school in August and that’s supposed to be the hardest 3 years of life. Yay…
I wish I could work from home- I lose 10 hours a week driving back and forth! And I know I would be much more apt to work out if I had all of that free time!
well sweetheart, I lose over 20! that is exactly why I’m looking for a better way! and I have to tell you, I already find a way now to train, so if I can, you most certainly can! It’s all about getting rid of your excuses and making it a priority (last year I got up at 4 – 4.30am to run; crazy? yes, but it was important to me!).
I’m definitely already at the point where I need to train (and I love that you call it that, like you mentioned in your blog, that it’s not “exercise”) or I feel like something isn’t quite right. I remember this feeling back in 2001-2004 when moving was just normal everyday stuff. It’s when I stopped that it all went haywire.
I am fairly certain that we will always be striving for balance though. We may get extremely close to it, but it will always be something to focus on!
Am curious how things are going to go for you soon! It’ll probably take an adjustment period but this is important to you, so I’m sure you will find a way to get it working for you.