You’re Not ‘Too Busy’. You’re Just Putting Yourself Last.

I’m going to start this with a bit of tough love because sometimes, that’s what we need.

If you’ve ever said, “I really want to get fit, but I’m just too busy right now”… I hear you. But I also need to be honest with you: it’s probably not about time. It’s about priorities.

I’m not saying you’re not busy. Most of the women I coach are juggling work, family, partners, social lives, housework, pets, and about 26 tabs open in their brains at once. The mental load is real. But somewhere in all of that, they’ve decided that their own health, strength, and energy levels matter too. Not just for them, but for everyone around them.

Because here’s the truth: if you don’t make time for yourself, no one else will.

You Are Allowed to Prioritise Yourself

As women, we’re conditioned to put everyone else first. To be “the fixer,” “the organiser,” “the one who keeps it all together.”

And for a while, that works. Until you realise you’re completely burned out, feeling sluggish, uncomfortable in your own skin, and a little bit resentful that you’re always at the bottom of the list. Making time for your own health and fitness isn’t selfish. It’s essential.

You don’t need anyone’s permission to look after yourself. But if you’re waiting for it, here it is: you are allowed to come first sometimes.

The Time Excuse: Let’s Break It Down

Let’s say you train with me two to three times per week. We’re talking about three hours out of 168 in a week. Even if we factor in time to get there, warm up, cool down, and shower, we’re still talking under 5% of your total week.

Compare that with how much time you spend scrolling on your phone, watching Netflix, or doing things for other people that could maybe wait or be shared.

I know that sounds blunt, but it’s said with love. Because I want you to feel better. And you can, but you’ve got to get honest with yourself.

What You Actually Need (Hint: It’s Not More Time)

You don’t need a 90-minute gym session every day. You don’t need to train like an athlete or follow some ridiculous plan that has you working out at 5am, meal prepping for four hours on a Sunday, and avoiding carbs like they’re a personal attack.

Here’s what you do need:

• A plan that fits your life, not one that takes over it

• Progressive training that makes you feel good and builds you up over time

• Support and accountability, because trying to do it all alone is hard

• Permission to stop being ‘perfect’ and just get started

It’s not about doing more, it’s about doing what works and sticking to it.

The Mental Shift That Changes Everything

Once you start showing up for yourself, even in small ways, everything starts to shift.

You start to realise that your time is valuable. You start to see that feeling strong and capable makes everything else feel easier. You stop waiting for the “perfect time"... because it doesn’t exist.

And slowly but surely, you stop saying “I’m too busy”, and start saying “I’m choosing to prioritise myself.” That’s powerful.

What This Looks Like in Real Life

One of my clients is a mum of three, works part-time, and was convinced she’d never have time to train. Now, she trains with me twice a week, walks more, and feels better in her own skin than she has in years.

Another is in a demanding job and used to cancel on herself constantly. Now, her sessions are non-negotiable. She says they’re the one thing in her week that’s just for her, and that’s made her more focused, more energised, and surprisingly, less stressed overall.

It’s not about having time. It’s about making space for you.

So, What’s Next?

If you’ve read this far, something in you wants to make a change. And I’m telling you now, it doesn’t need to be drastic.

Start small. Maybe that means booking your first session. Maybe it’s going for a walk at lunch instead of working through it. Maybe it’s saying “no” to something that drains you and saying “yes” to something that builds you up.

Whatever it is, do it with intention. You’re not “just a mum,” “just busy,” or “just tired.”

You’re allowed to be strong, energised, confident, and looked after, and that starts with showing up for yourself.

Because you’re not too busy, you’re just used to putting yourself last. Let’s change that.