Some days I wish I was a college student with NO part-time job! I would get SO much done… more time for TV, homework and workouts! However, I drop school and social activities in order to get my workout in. Somehow I pull good grades in school. Tons of people think I’m crazy for holding back on social activities but workouts are #1 for me… unless you want to see me super grouchy!

My part-time job consumes me for 30 hours per week. I am currently a part-time student with 9 credit hours. I teach group fitness classes twice a week. Lastly, I’m a Teaching Assistant for supply chain and finance classes at KU. Oh yea… I do cardio for an hour 6 days a week and I lift weights 5 days a week. Somehow I continue to find time to share my journey with all of you! (I’m having so much fun with this blog!) Anyhow, my schedule is PACKED! I want to share my 7 tips for fitting it all in!

1. PLAN out your day:

I follow my strict schedule every day. My gym clothes are packed in my car every single day. I have no choice but to hit the gym. It takes 3 minutes to pack a gym bag so there is no excuse!

2. PLAN your workout:

I always use the “Notes” app in my iPhone to plan out my workouts for the week. I’m also trying to be better about planning my workouts before I  get to the gym. I always feel like I have better workouts if I plan ahead of time.

3. STICK to your plan:

Don’t let yourself go home if your tired after work/school. Just GET to the gym. Even if your workout wasn’t the best, you’ll never regret going! Make yourself wake up early if that’s your plan. Who cares if your groggy… you’ll wake up. I PROMISE! (I like to check Facebook when my alarm goes off. The light of my phone always helps!)

4. Meal prep:

I do all my cooking on Sunday so I don’t have to worry about cooking a single meal until next weekend. I don’t mind leftovers and it saves me SO much time and anxiety!

5. Strategically place IMPORTANT items around your house:

When my 4:45am alarm goes off, I know exactly where everything is. My clothes and shoes for the gym are in a pile in my room near my bed. My water bottle sits on my desk with my gallon jug in my fridge. I probably walk the same path in my house every morning before hitting the gym. If you put things in places where you know they are, you’ll save a TON of time!

6. You WILL fall into a routine… DON’T give up!

Getting up early sucks at first. Give yourself a week of misery and I PROMISE it becomes easy. The more persistent you are with your plan, the more you’ll get use to it. I use to dread getting up early to workout… now it has become such a norm that I just don’t really think twice about it. That may sound crazy, but it’s true! I’ve just created another habit that is just as persistent as me biting my nails – I can’t stop!

7. Catch up on the WEEKENDS!

Weekends are my time to clean my house, prep meals and catch up on homework. I hate when professors surprise me with something due in the middle of the week because that is what my weekends are for, dang it!!! I try to spend extra time with Tyler and Lily as well.

That’s all I’ve got! But a quick couple of updates before I’m done!

I finally decided to stretch my wings (only because we were forced) and we went to Johnny’s Tavern for a burger. We went a couple hours before a KU basketball game so all the restaurants on Mass street were packed. Dempsey’s was full. The Pale Ale burger at Johnny’s had guacamole, swiss cheese, onions and bacon. It was good. I STILL prefer Dempsey’s. Sorry if you’re a Johnny’s fan!

Last but not least, MY COMPETITION SUIT CAME IN!!! YIPPPPEEEE!!!!! I found an amazing value on Etsy but click here for the link to the website of the designer!

Have a great rest of your week and stay warm! (I don’t care how much snow we are getting… I’m determined to make it to the gym in the morning!)