There are many parallels in business and fitness that apply to achieving goals in any aspect whether business, health or personal. One of the key components to success is having the energy to accomplish all the activities and tasks that lead to those goals. Since women are still the primary caretakers of families as well as their careers, it is even more important to maintain a certain level of energy and stamina.
One of the best ways to get that needed energy is through exercise within a formal fitness routine. If you are not functioning with optimal health and running low on energy it can be difficult to best utilize your time without feeling exhausted. Your body and mind need to be invigorated and fit.
There are some key components that work in fitness, business and life skills. They are flexibility, time management, delegation, accountability and attitude.
Let’s start with flexibility. As women, this is integral to the juggling act when trying to “plan” your day. You have to allow for some time to be flexible to changes. You may or may not have flexibility body wise, but that too is one of the key components to optimal fitness (along with cardiovascular endurance, muscle endurance and strength).
The counterpart to flexibility is time management. This of course starts with prioritization and goal setting. You need to make yourself a priority and set goals both professionally and personally. Schedule your fitness workout just as you schedule your children’s appointments and your business clients. Equal priority to your fitness schedule helps keep you on track. If it is on the calendar there is less room for excuses or conflicts of time.
Every good manager, business person or mom knows how to delegate. In fitness that may mean delegating the initial set up of a program to a personal trainer. Do not spend time trying to design your own exercise program. In order to have an effective program you need the right person or facility. At the least get a baseline fitness assessment so you know where you should begin. Don’t experiment on yourself with exercise
Accountability is also a factor. Whether through a report for work, tracking children’s grades or keeping track of your workouts and progress, accountability is key. Honor your commitment to yourself and track it somewhere. That also gives you history of your successes and lapses so you can analyze going forward.
Lastly, attitude is one of the largest factors and yes, does even affect your energy level. Having a “me first” attitude is not selfish but self aware. This type of self care along with positive self-talk allows others to reap the benefits of your accomplishments.
If you do not currently have a fitness routine here are some tips to incorporate exercise into your daily life:
*Start out slow. If you do too much too soon you may be too sore, injure yourself or just get discouraged. Try 10-15 minutes of walking or some form of cardiovascular exercise.
*After working up to 20 minutes a day add a couple of resistance training exercises to build muscle, strengthen your bones and burn excess fat.
*Start resistance or strength training the same way, slow. 5 - 10 minutes , 2- 3 times a week and add a minute or two at a time until you can do 20-30 minutes a day at least 3 times per week.
Many women feel they do not have time to exercise, especially after a long day. In fact, exercise gives you added energy. When done for right amount of time and intensity, exercise increases blood circulation, oxygen uptake rises, your metabolism gets a jolt and the endorphins generated make you feel good.
So, keep an upbeat attitude and remember the payoff for getting physically fit is better health and more energy to achieve any goal!
Be healthy,
MaryAnn Molloy
MaryAnn Molloy
Chief Fun & Fitness Officer
Healthy Body, Fit Mind
Healthy Body, Fit Mind
