No More Excuses
Some days we eat salads, exercise and are happy inside and out. Other days, we live in our sweats, crave sugar and spend the day watching F.R.I.E.N.D.S. re-runs. It’s all about balance, right?
The other day, I took the second option and was scrolling through Pinterest whilst pretty much inhaling scoops of ice-cream. In the midst of my blank stare at the screen, I found this affirmation. It read;
“168 HOURS IN A WEEK
40 AT WORK OR SCHOOL
56 SLEEPING
72 LEFT OVER
ARE YOU SERIOUSLY SAYING YOU CAN’T FIND 3 HOURS A WEEK TO GO WORKOUT?”
I couldn’t believe it. “They’re lying,” I thought. I quickly pulled out my calculator and started calculating the hours myself, but they were spot on. Out of the 72 hours, why can’t we find even three to just workout?
We all know the common excuses. “I don’t have time” or “I’ll do it tomorrow,” but why can’t we do it now and get out of this cycle of denial?
If we want to, we have the ability to do make anything fit into our day. We just need to make it a priority. Confronting isn’t it!
Common Excuse 1: “I Don’t Have Time”
Well, we can’t use this one as an excuse anymore. Even if we include other tasks like eating, transporting to and from work etc, we’ll still be left with about 50 hours in our week. Even 20 minutes for a couple of times a week is better than nothing. There are so many ways to incorporate exercise into our days. We don’t necessarily have to slog it to the gym. Set yourself some easy goals. For example, if you’re watching your favourite show (don’t be embarrassed if it’s the bachelorette – we’re all in the same boat) tell yourself in each add break you’ll do 40 sit-ups or star-jumps or anything really. Just get moving. You’ll feel so much better than just laying on the couch trying to figure out who won’t get a rose this week.
Common Excuse 2: “I’m Too Tired”
I get it. After a long day, working out can feel like the last thing you want to do. You just want to sit down and relax. But working out actually gives you more energy as your body creates more endorphins (the same chemical in chocolate that makes us happy). But if the evening is still just not going to cut it, find another time. Become a morning person or if that’s still not right for you, try going for walk in your lunch-break. Find a time that suits you so you don’t make anymore excuses.
Common Excuse 3: “I’ve Tried it Before”
Don’t be so hard on yourself. We don’t always find our true calling straight away. If it doesn’t work initially, reflect on why that could be and try again. Maybe the gym isn’t for you and that’s okay. There are so many other ways to get moving one step at a time. Just have a plan. Make some fresh goals that follow the S.M.A.R.T. goal model.
Specific: Have an exact well-defined plan with clear and unambiguous goals
Measureable: Create goals where progress can be easily tracked and measured
Achievable: Ensure your goal is challenging but achievable. If it’s too far out of reach, you may relapse and loose focus and determination
Realistic: Like achievable, your goal needs to be realistic, relevant and have a clear purpose
Time-Bound: Have a deadline. That way you will have something to work towards.
So enough is enough. A treat once in a while isn’t going to hurt anybody but for the rest of time, feed your body with the nourishment and love that it needs and deserves. Just a few hours a week can do so much for your physical and mental health. So let’s get of the couch, turn off the T.V. and promise to make no more excuses.