No, We Don’t All Have the Same 24 Hours
If you feel like there is never enough time to work out, you are not wrong. You pack your schedule from morning to night. Between work deadlines, family responsibilities, social obligations, errands, and the occasional attempt to get a decent night's sleep, every hour is accounted for before you even begin.
And yet, there is always someone online, usually a nineteen-year-old fitness influencer with zero obligations outside of gym sessions, insisting, "We all have the same 24 hours." Oh. Thanks. Now that you said that, everything is easier.
Let's be honest. No, we do not all have the same 24 hours. Especially if you are a working mom, a busy professional, or juggling caregiving on top of everything else. Not even close.
Here is what matters most. Shame has never helped anyone move forward. Beating yourself up doesn’t build healthy habits, even if it feels helpful in the moment. Real change comes from stacking up small wins over time. Ten minutes here, a short walk there, showing up when you can. That is what adds up and makes a difference.
Stop starting over
Stop Waiting for Life to Calm Down
One of the most common traps busy people fall into is believing they will work out when life slows down. "I'll return to workouts when work isn't so crazy." "I'll start again after the holidays." "I'll be more consistent when the kids are older." Sound familiar?
The truth is life rarely calms down for long. Waiting for perfect conditions is a losing strategy because the routine falls apart as soon as the next wave of busyness hits. The people who stay consistent are not relying on life to magically cooperate. They build habits they can lean on no matter what is going on.
If you have habits to fall back on during hectic times, you can always build on them when life eases up. Think of it like a dial, not a switch. You turn it up when you can and dial it down when needed, but you never flip it off completely. This approach keeps you grounded and steady even during the busiest seasons of life. That is how consistency is built, not through perfect routines but flexibility and staying connected to movement, even in small ways.
Rethink What a Workout Looks Like and Why Consistency Matters
A workout does not have to mean an hour at the gym with perfectly curated playlists and protein shakes lined up. It does not even have to be thirty minutes straight. Movement is movement, and it all counts.
Ten minutes squeezed between meetings. Squats while dinner simmers. A walk during your child's practice. A few push-ups during TV commercials. These small bursts are valuable. They help maintain strength, mobility, mental clarity, and most importantly, consistency.
Because when life gets busy, and it always does, consistency matters more than perfection. Staying connected to movement keeps you balanced. Five or ten minutes keeps the habit alive and prevents the dreaded start over trap.
The people who maintain their fitness long-term are not the ones who never miss. They are the ones who get creative and flexible. They stay in the game when it would be easier to sit it out. When life gives them more breathing room, they simply turn the dial up and keep going. That is how you make progress without losing momentum, even during hectic seasons.
Your priorities are valid, and self-care deserves a spot at the top of the list
Of course, true emergencies come first. No one suggests your workout should outrank a family crisis or pressing work deadline. Real life demands real flexibility.
But being busy does not mean your health should take a back seat. Some missed workouts happen because of more subtle choices. Scrolling your phone. Binge-watching a show. Saying yes to one more email that could have waited. None of this makes you bad or lazy. It makes you human.
Still, this is where awareness comes in. Simply paying attention makes a difference. If you recognize where your time is going, you can find small opportunities to move. Prioritizing your health in these moments is not selfish. It allows you to better serve your family, clients, team, and yourself.
Your Kids Are Watching And Learning
There is another layer for parents. When your kids see you prioritize movement regularly during the day, they absorb that message. Staying active becomes part of what adulthood looks like.
It does not mean you need elaborate workouts or hours away from them. Include them. Go on family walks. Turn up the music and dance in the living room. Squeeze in push-ups or squats during homework breaks. Movement becomes less about checking a box and more about how your family spends time together.
You are not just staying active for yourself. You are modeling healthy behavior that will shape how your children view movement in their own lives. That example will matter far more than you realize.
A Better Way Forward
You are busy. The goal is not to add pressure or pretend you can do everything. Instead, allow me to offer a different perspective. Movement does not need to be perfect to matter. Ten minutes here and there will stack up. They will keep you connected to your health even during hectic seasons.
So next time you think, "I do not have time," pause. Ask yourself if it is truly about time or where movement currently falls on your priority list. Without judgment, explore that. And if you can, find ten minutes today. Walk, stretch, or do something simple. You might be surprised at how much better you feel and how those small wins build lasting momentum.
Ready to make wellness work in your real life?
I help busy professionals and teams get stronger, healthier, and more energized without turning wellness into another job. My corporate wellness programs drive up to four times the engagement of traditional offerings by delivering coaching, accountability, and flexible solutions that fit demanding schedules. For everyone else, my personalized coaching helps build strength and sustainable habits that support energy and confidence in every season.
Stop waiting for life to slow down and start creating lasting change. Contact me today to learn more about workplace wellness programs in Fort Worth or one-on-one coaching.
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Questions? I’d love to help.
Lea
I’m a board-certified health coach, personal trainer, running coach, and workplace wellness consultant dedicated to helping you get strong in both body and mind.
You don’t have to wait for life to calm down to take care of your health. The people who stay consistent aren’t relying on perfect conditions. They build habits they can lean on when things get hectic. It’s not about finding more time, it’s about using the time you do have, five or ten minutes at a time, to stay connected to movement. That’s what keeps the momentum alive.