Implementing Exercise Regimen With GTD?

[innovyse]

Hello again!

So, if I wanted to implement an exercise regimen (e.g., 30 minutes of stretching and 30 minutes of cycling), what is the best way to do this within GTD?

It would seem that I should schedule it on the calendar, BUT it isn't something that needs to be done every day---just three or four times a week. And those three or four times could be every other day one week and four days in a row the next.

And, if I make it a next action, it's never done, because it needs to be done again within the next day or two as well.

Thoughts?

Cheers,
David

[TesTeq]

It would seem that I should schedule it on the calendar, BUT it isn't something that needs to be done every day---just three or four times a week.

Create your weekly plan. For example schedule your fitness activities on Monday, Wednesday and Friday and think about them as a top priority meetings with yourself.

[graphicdetails]

I agree. I would schedule it on a week-to-week basis. If your calendar allows you to schedule it on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, but suddenly on Tuesday you find time to exercise, then go ahead and delete Wednesday's routine.

[jrdouce]

Your in a gray area (to me). In GTD, if it's tied to a hard date, it belongs in the calendar, if not it belongs in the NA list.

Do you use a tickler system? If you have a daily tickler folder, you could put it in there; 'Workout 1', 'Workout 2' etc. Each day you review your daily tickler, choose which actions to do that day and which to defer to the following day. For example, on Monday you have all 3 workouts in the folder; you choose to do workout 1. Then you move 'Workout 1' to the tickler folder for next week, and you defer workouts 2 & 3 by moving them to tomorrow's tickler folder. Repeat each day. You can block off time in you calendar for today's workout, if that works.

I don't use a tickler system, so anyone who does, feel free to confirm or correct my understanding of the system.

[ellobogrande]

"Set up exercise routine" belongs on your Projects list. This is the anchor for your commitment. This project stays open until you've got a routine going on cruise control where it just automatically happens for you.

Once that project is completed, then you might set some fitness goals for yourself which might then spawn other projects, but that's not the focus right now. I mention this for the future because you don't want your routine to become so stale and boring that you may stop doing it out of boredom or frustration.

Scheduling workouts on your calendar might be one action, but only if you have everything that you need to do these workouts and you know exactly where you will be doing them. If you are you lacking any equipment or need a gym membership and don't have one, then your first action will be very different.

Good luck.

[JohnV474]

Please note that it is also part of GTD to use your Calendar for reminders, not only appointments. It is information that you want to see again during a particular time period.

On Monday, my calendar may say "Exercise today?" Subprojects with no deadline get similar treatment ("rough draft completed?" "packed for trip?").

I have recurring exercise appointments. If you are exercising 3x per week, you will get better at noticing whenever you don't have exercise listed for yesterday, today, or tomorrow. A calendar reminder will help you think about it as often as you want to.

There are many people with "exercise" on a Next Action list, where it has remained dormant for a while. With the above, you can avoid that.

-JohnV474