Forgive me while I repeat the fact that exercise for fitness sake, instead of for sports sake, does not come naturally to me. In college my best friend would work out everyday religiously and walk to class while I leaned towards taking the bus and meeting her at the dining hall after her workout. And I wonder why I was 20 pounds overweight.
However, as health became more important to me after college, I begin to add fitness into my routine. As a new grad in Atlanta, I’d walk to work, walk home, change and head the my apartment gym. After 30 minutes on the dreadmill, I’d walk back upstairs to cook myself chicken and spinach.
It was more simple then. I won’t say easy because I still had to discipline myself, but being that I was a single lady, all my time was, well, mine.
Fast forward to today. Health and fitness are more important to me now than ever because now I know how darn good it feels to be fit. It’s important for my physical and mental health to eat real food and move.
However, all my time isn’t all mine anymore. As a wife, I have responsibilities in the household. As a mom, I have sweet Hailey and an energetic pup that depend on me. Then, there’s work responsibilities, too.
It would be easier for me to say I’m too busy. There are weeks when I do say that. However, those weeks I find myself feeling lousy. So instead, I reorganize my day and make fitting in fitness a priority.
Rule 76. No excuses; play like a champion.
Right now it means that I wog first thing in the morning before the day has a chance to take away my workout opportunity. Right now it works for me to take my exercise buddies and cover 3-4 miles before nap time.
Right now this works. I know nap times and weather will eventually change, and I’ll adjust. I’ll make it happen because it’s important to me. And let me tell you that a morning dose of endorphins trumps coffee any day!
No one ever said it would be easy, but I can vouch that it’s worth it. I’m worth it. You’re worth it.
Happy Friday 
Rachel Cooks says
Great post–good reminder. I’ve been using “feeling like $h!t” as an excuse not to work out. Need to get back at it.
PS: Dreadmill made me LOL, is that a Brittany original?
Brittany says
I wish I could claim dreadmill as an original, but sadly, no 😉
Hope you’re feeling better as each day passes! <3
Heather @ For the Love of Kale says
Love this post, Brittany! It’s so positive and light-hearted. I love your attitude towards exercise – you’re doing the best you can and relishing in that. So beautiful! <3 xoxo
Autumn@Good Eats Girl says
I agree–It’s completely easy to lose the day when working out doesn’t happen in the morning! It used to be so easy before kids because the time was mine…now my time isn’t mine anymore, but making work out time is something that I must have in my day!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
So true! I was just thinking this morning how when I was on maternity leave I would workout around 9am during CJ’s very predictable nap. Now…I workout at 5:30am and hope that he doesn’t wake up before 6:30 since I have to work the rest of the day and won’t get it in any other time. haha 🙂
Brittany says
I admire you so much for waking up at 5:30 to fit in your workout- so inspiring!!
Amanda Perry @ Sistas of Strength says
HA…do you admire me for having to go to bed at 9pm so I can do it? 🙂
Paulina says
Such an inspiring and timely post for a Friday! I’ve been wondering for a while about your WOGs with a stroller and a dog. How do you manage? Koda must be extremely well behaved when walking on leash. My pup, Dexter, pulls and barks whenever he sees anything interesting like squirrels, dogs, bikes… I gotta make training him a priority again!
Brittany says
Hi Paulina and happy Friday 🙂 Luckily Koda does do really well when she is on the gentle leader. Have you ever looked at those? She never pulls now which is great because she’d take me with her if she did. However, off leash she still goes nutty for squirrels 😉
Lisa says
Great post Brittany! I totally relate to the struggles you went through in college, mine began just as I was graduating high school though. I went through a period where I was a bit overweight and then completely changed my habits. I love this post and the positivity you have in regards to your workouts and health.
Megan @ meggie miles says
Hey! This is a great post. It is so important to recognize the need to take care of yourself even when your responsibilities start piling on. You are going to be a great role model for your daughter!
Sherry says
Those early morning endorphins work even better in conjunction with coffee:>)
Kristy Burgess says
Love your post……I love the fact that you make working out a “family affair.”. Hailey and Koda are adorable!
nicole @ making good choices says
great post Britney! I’m sure I’ll need to re-read this in the next 6 months when my little one is here!
Erica says
I worry that once I have kids I will lose the motivation to make fitness a priority (for my sake and my familys) but you are such an inspiration!
Morgan says
I need to make this more of a priority again. I used to work out 5-6 days a week HARD. I was a super athlete and loved it. Ever since my 7 month old was born, I’ve cut back to 1-2 times a week. She’s still up pretty frequently at night so it’s hard to find the energy some days ( know that’s an excuse!!)
Thanks for posting this. I needed a kick in the rear 🙂
Kathryn says
I really needed this message today… I’m struggling with the decision to wean my 6 mOnth old so I can exercise in the morning (long story but sadly it really is one or the other). I know I need to be healthy to be a good mom but it’s so hard.
Liz @ iheartvegetables says
I definitely take for granted the fact that I DO have a lot of time to myself for workouts! I need to stop making excuses!!
Jen@FoodFamilyFitness says
What’s sad and kind of amusing to me is that when my youngest was younger and needed me a lot more, I made fitness a much bigger priority. I knew that I only had the early morning to fit in a workout and so I did. Now that he is more self sufficient and I could literally workout whenever i want, I just don’t. I made an executive decision to cut the cable so I won’t be tempted to lay on the couch all day anymore, my health is much more important than what happened on Dance Moms the night before 😉
Roz@weightingfor50 says
You have VERY cute workout buddies!!!!!! Hope you’ve had a good weekend Brittany!