“There are 168 hours in a week. I’m only asking for seven of them.”
If we commit one hour of every day to doing something active, we’re really only dedicating four percent of our entire week to exercise.
"I'm not asking for much time, guys!"
(Source)
I love how simple this statement makes working out seem.
Sure it’s hard to fit exercise into our daily routine sometimes, but on those days when we have the time, but lack the motivation, this is a great little mantra.
I used this simple statement to get me to the gym this morning.
After eating a lot of these last night…
Cookie Exchange
I felt a little sluggish when I woke up and was quite tempted to skip my workout.
I told myself that one hour was such a short amount of time in the day and I could afford to hit the gym for this tiny time frame.
I sucked it up, got to the gym and felt much better afterward.
Success!
I came home, took Sadie on a short walk and grabbed a quick breakfast.
Easy Breakfast
Strawberry banana Chobani + BIG apple
Crunchy + Juicy
Is it just me, or have apples been on point lately? Crunchy, sweet and juicy… Perfection!
And to hopefully make you smile, I leave you with this adorable picture of my friend Laurel’s cat last night.
Cat in a Bag
Apparently all of the girl talk going on at the cookie exchange was a little too much for Natasha. She found solace in my J.Crew bag and hung out in there for a good 30 minutes.
Speaking of cats…
If you’re a cat lover, or if you appreciate “talking animals,” you may enjoy this YouTube video which is in my top 5 favorite YouTube videos of all time. So FUNNY. My family and I quote it allllll the time.
“Oh Don Piaaaaaaano!”
that’s really interesting and puts it in perspective that we only need to do something 7 out of 168 hours! makes it sound a lot easier that way š
Heather (Heather’s Dish)(Quote)
is that video for real?? “why i eyes ya” hahahahaha
Sarra(Quote)
“oh long joooooohnson.” it NEVER gets old.
peanutbutterfingers(Quote)
Totally puts exercise in perspective!
Have you seen the cat video where they play patty-cake? Very cute š
Jackie (ananda prana)(Quote)
my mom sent me that one last week! so, so cute! i love when they look at the camera… “creepers!”
peanutbutterfingers(Quote)
I like that thought too with 7 hours out of week. That makes it seem very doable. And also…lucky you on the apples. They haven’t been AS good here lately. That could be just because I’m missing Honeycrisps. Haven’t seen them in about a month.
Tina @ Faith Fitness Fun(Quote)
That really does put it in to perspective. So doable! Just a few hours and think how good you feel after each one!
Honey B. Nutrition(Quote)
I really like how that puts things in prospective with respect to working out. I can devote 7 hours out of the week to do that. I really need to focus on start excerising. I am really bad with that š
Those cookies look delish!
Hope(Quote)
That’s such a good mantra! I just have to tell myself, “I feel like crap now and that’s not going to change. But if I exercise now, I’ll feel amazing later!” It’s SO true!!
Bee Goes Bananas(Quote)
Well I’ve heard people ask ‘who let the cat out of the bag’ , but never wondered who put him in there in the first place!
Motivating post… I really need to get back to my workouts… I’ve been SLACK.
Brittany (A Healthy Slice of Life)(Quote)
I completetly agree. I tell my clients all the time that theirs 1440 minutes in a day and all i’m asking is to exercise for 45-60 minutes of them., even 30 is great!!
especially around the holidays.
have a great day
Kyla(Quote)
That’s a really cool way of looking at exercise!!!!!!
That cat is too cute! Mine likes to jump inside cardboard boxes.
Healthy Chocohlic(Quote)
Love cats in a bag..mine do that too..especially when I stick some cat nip inside..hehe
Shanna, like Banana(Quote)
Wow I never realised that! Great way to look at it!
I’ve seen that video before! Isn’t it hilarious?! š
Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner)(Quote)
I needed this post today. Skipped the gym yesterday and was feeling apathetic today. But you’re right, an hour is not a lot to ask out of a day.
This is another good ‘talking’ animal vid (cats):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iFhLdWjqc
Ashley(Quote)
Love that quote. It does make working out seem like a breeze!
And man, those cookies look so good! I would have been in a food coma after eating all of them š
Gina(Quote)
Similarly: I’ve never regretted going to the gym.
Doesn’t it just make you feel good and you wonder why you questioning going in the first place? I need you to call me and tell me that when my alarm goes off tomorrow morning. K? THANKS!
Anne(Quote)
That really puts it into perspective and is achievable, especially when I think about how much time I spend on the internet!
Lauren(Quote)
Hopefully this works – but one of my favorite cartoons is this one: http://www.glasbergen.com/?s=24+hours
I even have it printed and hung at work. People always give me a hard time at work about how I work out/eat right but it’s a lifestyle for me.
Though I do over-indulge in cookies at times. š
Emily(Quote)
That is a excellent point. Being new to working out I’m just trying to meet my goal of working out three times a week for 30 minutes each time. There is no reason I should not be able to find 90 minutes. My excuses are lame.
Pixie(Quote)
Ahhh the apples have been AH-MAZING lately. Gotta love eating in season!
Amber K(Quote)
What a great way to look at working out. I’m a new reader to your blog and you’ve inspired me to change my dreaded evening workouts to the morning. Today has been my third day of it and I LOVE IT! I love coming home at night knowing that I can go straight to my pjs and relax š
One question though: do you eat something before your am workouts? I haven’t, but I feel like if I do, I’d have stronger workouts, but then again, I’d have to get up even earlier to eat š
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day(Quote)
It sounds so simple when you put it that way! I think 98% of the battle is actually getting out the door to the gym. I have my coat and shoes on…now I just need to step out the door into the snow!
Kristen @ That Hoosier Girl(Quote)
Oh my gosh, I LOVE LOVE LOVE kitties, but will have to watch it at home as I don’t have speakers on my computer at work.
I’ve been slacking on my morning workouts (the bed and my boyfriend are just way too warm to leave) and in the evenings I’ve had dinner events to go to. However, working so close to home, I’m able to get home and do a quick 15-20 minute full body workout (on Kinect) before grabbing a quick shower and heading back out the door. Sometimes shorter workouts can be more intense!! I’m drenched in sweat at the end!
Katie(Quote)
I’m going to use this mantra for sure! Good motivation to get going.
Tracy(Quote)
I really like that bit of information. I totally agree with other comments about saying to yourself, “I may feel icky right now but once I am at the gym, I feel so much better.” I tell myself that when I lack the motivation to go (especially in the cold weather). It works because I now go about 5 or 6 times a week.
My cats love to go in brown paper bags. We leave one out in the living room for them. I don’t get the fascination. When I come home from the store, the sound of a brown paper bag gets one of our cats so excited.
Lisa @ Fit in the Midwest(Quote)
If you like that, you have to watch this! So so funny!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X3iFhLdWjqc
Melissa(Quote)
1. What a mantra. Your spinning instructor is absolutely right, and definitely puts working out into perspective! I REALLY can’t skip out now!
2. This is the BEST Youtube video about cats. Bar none.
Amy @ Serve At Once(Quote)
Just wondering if you were going to list/give recipes for all the cookies at the cookie party? May be a fun little suggestion for the holidays, but I know it takes alot of time to do that and all our time means alot to us
Nathan Miller(Quote)
As much as I love the only 7 out of 168 hours line, I think I’ll remember Oh Don Piano longer than the hours… š
Stay warm – we had snow again last night. UGH. Looking forward to our trip to Florida next week. Getting married two weeks from today down there!
Bonnie(Quote)
I’ve never thought about exercise in that way. Very good perspective!
Katy (The Singing Runner)(Quote)
Thanks for the 4% of your time tip!
I agree – I’ve been finding pretty apples lately too thank God!
Speaking of cats – have you seen the angry cat video? I would be scared of this cat haha http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1hPxGmTGarM
Anon(Quote)