Do You Manage Time or Does Time Manage You?

Time can be elusive for those starting and more importantly maintaining a fitness program. In one area of our life, we have started something with great intentions only to be frustrated by a lack of progress or outright failure due to the lack of time we comitt to the goal.

Today's world places a high number of demands on the average American. The new economy as well as technological advances has added a new element in our lives we haven't been accustomed to. The average Barrington mom and dad still have the pleasant challenge of raising well rounded successful children along with dedicating themselves to their professional life in a world that has become hypercompetitive.

So where does fitness and proper nutrition come into play? Where do we steal that hour to exercise or even to plan our meals? 

No wonder despite the amount of medical progress we have made in the last 50 years we are now more unhealthy as a nation than ever before. Relying on medication instead of lifestyle change is the norm in our new world. It's my belief that most people have trouble understanding what they need and how to go about achieving their goals. I have always found it helpful to use the following strategy in order to achieve success:

• Be honest with yourself. Understand who you are now, not who you were in high school or college. We age as human beings and each stage of our life brings new amazing challenges and needs. 
• Understand what you need to do. Seeing a nurse practioner or a doctor who will spend time understanding your needs is a great first step. Barrington has some great doctors currently running micro-practices. Once you know where you stand with your health you will find the strategy to achieve success more clearly.
• Execute the strategy. This is where time management comes into play. If you work 60 hours per week, getting an hour of cardio a day may not be the best plan. You will start off with the best intentions, but will soon fizzle out and end up frustrated and more stressed because you can't adhere to the "program"
• Avoid fads, gimmicks, "diets" and anything else that sounds quick and easy. In this age of virtual workouts, gravity machines, 600 calorie diets it's no wonder that the public is as confused and unhealthy as ever.

The benefits of exercise and proper nutrition are now common knowledge. However by 2050 a third of our population will have diabetes! For the average Barrington resident they know they need exercise but the challenge has always been finding the time to comitt to a plan that makes sense for them.

"I must govern the clock, not be governed by it," said Golda Meir.