Summer was a blur of beach days, backyard BBQs, late nights, and letting routines slide. No packing lunches, no rushing through homework, no dragging sleepy kids out of bed.
But now? It’s early mornings, school drop-offs, permission slips, after-school activities…You’re back in go mode before you’ve even had your coffee.
And what gets pushed to the bottom of the list? Your workouts. Your health. Your time.
You might be thinking: “I’m too tired- there’s no time to exercise. The kids are back in school, and I’m just trying to survive!”Listen, I get it. My kids were non-stop all summer too—and it’s not going to slow down when school starts.
But here’s the truth: life rarely slows down. It just shifts gears.
Summer turns into back-to-school, into the holidays, into spring break, into end-of-year craziness. Rinse and repeat.
If you’re waiting for life to calm down before you focus on your health… you might be waiting forever.
As a coach—and a parent—I’ve seen how easy it is to put yourself last. But neglecting your health today only makes life harder tomorrow.
Your energy, strength, confidence, and long-term health matter—not just for you, but for everyone who counts on you.
So how do you actually make fitness work in the middle of real life?
How do you start when you already feel stretched too thin?
In this blog, you’re learning:- Why finding time to exrecise feels so hard right now
- The 5 most common (and valid!) challenges getting in the way
- Practical tips to overcome thee challenges so you can finally create a fitness routine that sticks—even when life is busy!
CHALLENGE #1: TIME
Let’s be honest—time is tight. Between work, school schedules and everything else, exercise feels impossible. But here’s the truth: you don’t need more time—you just need to use it differently.
✅ Try This Tip: Find and Use Hidden Free Time!
You likely have more time than you realize. The average U.S. adult spends up to 3 hours a day on social media—plus another 3 watching TV.
That’s up to 42 hours a week lost to doom scrolling and binging!
Check your phone’s screen time to see just how much time you’re on the device (you might be shocked at how much free time is hiding in plain sight).
Here’s how you an start finding and using pockets of free time:
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Track your days for 1 week—note how you’re spending your time.
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Identify “open windows” like early mornings, after school drop-off, or evenings post-bedtime.
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Sit down and schedule your workouts on all calendars (work, family, personal) and trest these like non-negotiable appointments.
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Make eating healthy simple:
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Use grocery delivery or curbside pickup.
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Stock up on pre-chopped veggies, cooked proteins, and frozen produce.
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Meal prep one or two items for your busiest meal times.
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As a coach, I’m not here to tell you how to spend your money—just want to help you put spending habits into perspective!
Have you ever checked your bank account and thought, “Wow, I didn’t realize I spent that much on_____”
It’s easy to spend hundreds a month on things like dinners out, Starbucks, Amazon hauls, and happy hours without blinking. But that $300 you spend each month on dinner and drinks can be reallocated in your health.
✅ Try This Tip: Reallocate What You’re Already Spending
You don’t need to spend more—just spend differently. I totally get it – investing in your health doesn’t give you the same instant gratification as an Amazon delivery but, I promise the long-term reward is worth it
Fact: 60% of American adults have at least one chronic disease, costing $3,500–$6,500+ per year. Preventive care—like regular exercis and healthy eating—is the best investment you can make for your future!
Here’s how you can start assessing how and where to reallocate spending:
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Audit your monthly expenses—where can you cut back (even a little)? Dinners? Happy hours? Coffee runs? That fancy handbag or shoes? Amazon? Target?
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Redirect funds toward a gym membership, a coach or trainer, basic gym equipment for your home, and / or comfortable walking shoes.
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Buy healthy foods in bulk to save money (Costco, Sam’s Club, BJ’s)
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Shop in-season produce and local farmer’s markets-it’s always cheaper!
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Use sales and weekly ads to save money without sacrificing quality
Stress shows up in all kinds of ways—mentally, emotionally, and physically— and when you’re overwhelmed, even the thought of exercise can feel exhausting!
But here’s the kicker: chronic stress can shorten your life by 2.8 years BUT exercise is one of the most effective stress relievers there is! It boosts your endorphins, clears your mind, and helps you feel more in control.
✅ Try This Tip: Use Exercise as Stress Relief
Exercise doesn’t have to be intense or long to be effective. The goal isn’t perfection—it’s release. Here’s how to use exercise to start managing stress:
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Start with 10–20 minutes of walking, stretching, or yoga.
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Pick activities you enjoy to reduce procrastination and resistance.
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Use exercise to clear your mind, not punish your body.
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Pay attention to the post workout high / feeling—that boost is your body thanking you!
CHALLENGE #4: TRAVEL SCHEDULE
If you travel often for work or have an unpredictable schedule, you know how tough it is to stick to exercising and eating healthy. But a little planning goes a long way!
✅ Try This Tip: Plan Your Travel and Schedule Ahead of Time!
Travel doesn’t have to derail your progress. It just means adapting instead of pausing by using these tips to plan ahead, maintain healthy habits and stay in your routine:
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Book hotels with gyms or find nearby fitness studios with day passes.
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Ask your gym/coach for travel-friendly workouts—think bands, bodyweight, or short circuits.
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Pack healthy snacks: protein powder, nuts, tuna packs, whole fruit, veggies, hard-boiled eggs, and yogurt are perfect for road trips and airports!
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When dining out:
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Prioritize protein and veggies first.
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Check menus ahead of time and find the best option.
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Split meals or take half to-go to avoid overeating.
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CHALLENGE #5: MINDSET
Instead of thinking “I can’t exercise because_____”, shift your mindset and choose different words like “I will exercise because____”.
The goal isn’t perfection—it’s consistency over time.
✅ Try This Tip: Choose Progress Over Perfection
Life won’t always be perfect—some days are better than others, some weeks busier, some months less motivating. The key is acceptance! Make the best of what you have rather than giving up when things don’t go as planned. Life is imperfect, and that’s OK! Here’s how to reframe your mindset so that you focus more on doing what you can, when able:
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Replace “I can’t” with “I will.”
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Celebrate small wins—any exercise is better than none! One healthier food option is better than none!
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Accept off days without guilt and keep going. No more “all of nothing”.
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Focus on showing up, not doing it “perfectly.”
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Remind yourself you’re doing this for YOU.
Making fitness stick in a busy life is hard—but not impossible. These 5 tips prove you don’t need more time or motivation. You just need the right mindset, tools and plan.
Remember: Success doesn’t come from perfection—it comes from progress. Every small step you take builds the habit. And the more you repeat it, the more routine it becomes—just like brushing your teeth.
So this school year, while you’re showing up for everyone else… show up for yourself, too. Because a stronger, healthier you isn’t just better for you—it’s better for your whole family.