“I don’t have time to exercise.” Heard that one before? You more than likely have because it’s the most common excuse given for not exercising. Many people are in denial about their health and have built in excuses as to why they’re not exercising, but what it boils down to is better time management and fear. People fear they’ll get hurt, embarrassed, and most of all, fear of failure. What they should be afraid of is what will happen if they don’t exercise. How will their sedentary lifestyle affect them next year? 5 or 10 years from now?
As busy as we might be, we seem to have little trouble finding time for TV or social networking. Will you have time for multiple doctors appointments? Will you have time and money to take medications every day to treat high cholesterol, high blood pressure or diabetes? Puts things into perspective, doesn’t it? If you want to exercise, you’ll make the time.
Having a family and the obligations that come along with it are another reason people give for not exercising. But, a helpful strategy to make time for exercise is to have a written plan. Figure out the best time for exercise in your schedule and actually enter it into your computer or cell phone calendar as a reoccurring event. By doing this there’s less of a chance of you scheduling something during that time.
As I mentioned earlier, there’s little trouble finding the time to watch TV, so why not make the most of it? Do some planks, crunches, squats, yoga poses, lunges or pushups while you’re watching. Keep some fitness equipment, such as resistance bands, kettlebells or a jump rope, near your TV. Use the commercial breaks to throw in brief cardio intervals. Run in place, up and down the stairs or do some burpees.
Parents, find yourself always picking up after your kids? Next time while picking up those toys, towels and trash off the floor, instead of bending at the waist, do squats instead to increase glute and leg strength. How about dinner time? While standing at the stove or counter, do some calf raises. Take the kids to the park? Do you just sit on the bench and watch them play? Get out there and join them. I did a post a while back (The Playground Workout) which I showed some exercises you can do at pretty much any playground you go to. Schedule family hikes, after dinner walks or bikes rides. Just keep in mind that exercise is something you’re doing for your family. When your kids see that exercise is important to Mom and Dad, it will be important to them also.
Tomorrow is the beginning of a brand new year. Many of you may make some resolutions. How about adding exercise to that list? With a little planning on your part and maybe some of the ideas I’ve provided you, “no time” won’t be as easy as an excuse as it used to be. Let’s make 2015 a great year!
