01 Nov How Much Time Does it Take to Get Healthy?
I would love to lose weight but I don’t have time. I will probably try health coaching when things are calmer. I have so many demands on my time, I can’t add another program.
I hear these kinds of statements all the time. I bet you’ve said things like this yourself. People are hesitant to put their health as a priority because they think it will be a big drain on their time.
Health coaching does not take extra time from your schedule.
Really. Many aspects of health coaching save you time.
To be fair, some weeks might be busier than others, and you will need time for a session (about an hour each, every week or two). But many healthy strategies you will try will save you time or take just as much time as your old less-than-healthy habits.
Here are some time-saving tips you can learn from health coaching:
Fast food that’s healthy. My favorite is soup. I make about two quarts at a time. We eat it for dinner (my husband and adult kids always ask for it) and I have the leftovers for lunch. I often freeze a portion. So I always have quick and easy healthy food to heat up. No bothering with drive-throughs or grabbing a frozen pizza.
Salad in a jar. This can’t get any more convenient. Assemble about 5 jars on a Sunday evening, layering dressing, hard vegetables, protein, and leafy greens in each jar. Now you have 5 lunches you can grab and go. No excuses. Yes, you take time to shop for the veggies and put them together, but you do that once for 5 different lunches, so it evens out.
Better sleep means a better life. I have a long list of sleep hacks, that is, tricks and techniques to promote satisfying sleep. People who sleep well are way more efficient. And they tend to eat better and maintain a healthy weight. Research shows that people who stay up late to “get everything done” are not getting as much done as those who sleep well and can focus and concentrate.
Quickie exercise. There is such a thing. I like a video called “7 Minute Workout”. Dr. Mercola has a workout that takes 3 minutes. Plus everyday movement contributes to health. Which means less sitting. Putting your computer on the kitchen counter and standing takes no more time than sitting at a desk.
Stress relief a minute at a time. Anytime during the day you can breathe in slowly and say to yourself “I am” and breathe out slowly and say “at peace”. Try this after a correction from your boss or when your two-year-old says ”no” again. Or stand up and shake. Shaking resets the nervous system and helps you calm down.
Relationship repair. You know that annoying person who always seems to undermine you? Ask him or her a question. That will flatter and likely ease some tension. (You don’t have to pay attention to the answer 😉 Or send a thank you to someone for anything you appreciate. We don’t do that nearly enough and everyone likes being appreciated.
When you feel better you do better. As you start implementing healthy habits, you start feeling better. You collapse on the couch less. You’re less cranky. You have more energy and focus.
Consider someone who eats a donut for breakfast, has a midmorning unproductive crash, then has fast food for lunch and feels bloated and sluggish in the afternoon, so grabs too much coffee to perk up, resulting in poor sleep that night and another inefficient day tomorrow.
So you have enough time for unhealthy habits but not enough time for health coaching. Hmmm.
I am a National Board Certified Health Coach. I can support you in your quest for health. I can give you a free 15 minute phone call. Contact me to set it up. Or pay for one session and then pay for more if you want to continue.
I can help save you time. Or think of it this way: Make time for health so you won’t have to make time for sickness.
Sleep Deficit the Performance Killer
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