BODY
EMBRACE MAGAZINE
96
If I Had More Time BY CORY FREEMAN
C
an you imagine the things we could get done if we had more time? I know I would have my house and garage perfectly organized. I would see my family and friends more often. I would have another advanced degree by now. I would be more active in my local community for LGBTQ+ rights and representation. I would travel more frequently. And without question, I would devote more time and attention to my own health and fitness. The fact is that we do not have more time. We all gross the same amount of time each day. All of this then comes down to what we choose to do with the finite amount of time we do have. How we prioritize our time and attention will result in what we make of our lives. With our busy schedules for work, loved ones, and other endeavors we are currently pursuing; how do we stay on top of our health and fitness goals? This seems to be an area we can easily neglect compared to the other important obligations we carry. So, this truly comes down to making the time. Whether it is first thing in the morning prior to work, or over your lunch break, or perhaps even late at night when it seems all have already gone to bed.
Set the time aside as part of your busy schedule so that it is planned and committed. We all too frequently find ourselves exhausted when it's time to begin our training sessions. My advice on this front is to simply get started with the thought that today you will at very least go through the motions. You will find that there are days when you will only go through the motions; however, you will find that under most circumstances once you get started, the motivation and energy will find you. When in this motivated state, I want to encourage you to devote your attention to the here and now of training your body. Focus on the life that your body has with the increased breathing and heart rate. Focus on the blood flowing to the muscles you are training. Feel and appreciate the responses your body is taking on with your workout, and know that you are giving it what it needs and craves to be healthy and to achieve your fitness goals. You can’t give your life more time, so give the time you have left more life.
CORY FREEMAN is a two-time first-place national bodybuilding champion, having won both of his first-place titles, The Men’s Classic Physique Master’s Over 35 at the 2019 NPC Viking Championship and at the 2019 NPC Masters USA in his rookie year. Cory works as a physical therapist in the home health industry.
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