If you talk about fitness to anyone for more than 3.2 seconds, you’re going to hear every excuse in the book. Seriously. And the most ridiculous thing about it is that even I use them sometimes!! WHEN I LOVE FITNESS AND HOW IT MAKES ME FEEL BOTH PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY.
So clearly, there’s something deep within all of us that just has this love of finding all the excuses to keep sitting around.
If you’ve been around here a while, you know that about a year and a half ago, I was a self-proclaimed couch potato. I didn’t run. I didn’t do much more than lift my kids into bed at night. And then I decided to run a 10 mile race. And then a half marathon. And now I run 2-3 times a week, and also do a FiA workout once a week (you can read more about FiA HERE).
Let’s talk about excuses.
1.Age/fitness level.
I was just talking to someone today who told me she’d started running recently and had gotten hurt. I said, “oh! I’m a runner.” And she said, “well you’re much younger than me.” Ok, yes, I am 33 and she was 40. So it IS true she’s older. But…like, what? There are runners of all ages, and my age isn’t what makes me able to run!! And along the same lines are when someone tells you that you can work out because you’re just more physically fit/athletic. Right…but I started out at square 1, level 0 like we all must. So when you’re tempted to use your age or your fitness level as an excuse, tell yourself to shush.
2. Time.
Ohhh my favorite!!!! This was what I used for so long!! And it sounds so good too! Like, for me it was that the ONLY hours I could work out were the ONLY hours I could see my kids so clearly, nothing could be done. (Not true.) Other people use their crazy work hours, shift work, whatever, but here’s what I’ve come to realize: it’s just about making the time. It takes 20 minutes. I mean, if you only have 20 minutes you won’t be running a marathon soon, BUT you can certainly get active with 20 minutes! On nights when time is an issue, I run 2 miles. It takes 20 minutes and at least I got out and exercised. Now, EVERYONE USES TIME AS AN EXCUSE so my advice is to take a good, hard look and find the one area you could make time, rather than the other 35 you can’t. We’re all stinking busy, guys. It’s not like I’m sitting around all day so therefore I’m a runner. I work. I have a family. I have two side businesses in addition to my full time job. So put yourself as a priority like I have, and find 20-30 minutes a few times a week!! You can do this!!
3. Money.
Oh gosh. You don’t have the money for a gym. You don’t have the money for a trainer. You don’t have the money for BeachBody. Okay, that’s totally fine. I’m gonna share something with you: you don’t need it. Any of it. If you own a t-shirt, a pair of shorts, a pair of tennis shoes, and socks, you are SET. You can walk, run, or jog outside. You can push a stroller to a park and play tag with your kids. You can pull out your computer, go to YouTube and find a workout. So don’t let the fact that you can’t afford a gym membership stop you from exercising.
4. No Workout Buddy.
Is it nice to have a friend to work out with? Sure. Necessary? Not one bit. I run alone. Actually, it’s not all bad to exercise by yourself. You get time to recharge, step away from momming, wife-ing, and working. For me, it’s a chance to honor my introvert self. But that said, I would never turn down our parents’ offers to watch the kids while Brandon and I run together!
5. Past injury.
I have to add this one because Brandon used this excuse from 2009 to 2018. He had knee surgery back in 2009 and got some medical cement and screws placed. And he told himself the story that he could no longer exercise. Except a funny thing happened. When I started my fitness journey, he decided to try too. He soon discovered that he actually COULD work out. He COULD run. And by the end of 2018, he ran that half marathon with me. Of course, I realize that some past injuries would mean you can’t work out. However, my point here is you actually don’t know til you try. Til you train. Til you get through the MENTAL side and actually test the physical side of it.
What excuse do you use most frequently??
Okay–now you’ve talked yourself out of all the excuses! Need to know what type of exercise is right for you?? I’ve got you covered HERE.
