I feel in no way qualified to dispense fitness advice, but seeing as we’re smack dab in the middle of bathing suit season I wanted to do my part and school you on one thing I do happen to know a lot about. Excuses.
If you work full-time and have been through a deployment, I’m sure I don’t have to explain myself. I can pretty much invent an excuse for anything if it means not having to take care of myself properly. Because when you spend 50 hours a week working, 40 hours a week sleeping, 20 hours a week managing your household, 10 hours a week corresponding with your husband and sending care packages and 5 hours a week walking the dog you’re not left with a lot “me” time. So something as vital to your health and happiness as fitness often falls by the wayside.
Because our mission here at Janes-List.com is to support and empower you during a deployment, we thought we should help you along by offering our favorite fitness excuse-busters:
Excuse: I’m too tired.
Excuse busted!: I won’t fault you for wanted to come home to a glass of red wine and your DVR instead of a pilates mat. We all need to decompress from our day in our own ways. So try waking up an hour early and starting your day with a brisk bike-ride or jaunt to the gym. You’ll be surprised at how starting your day with some intense cardio will give you energy all day long.
Excuse: I don’t have time.
Excuse busted!: How come when you say this it always feel like a lie? Maybe that’s because it is! You may feel as if you don’t have time, but you likely do. And if you don’t believe me, why not try to exercise a little time management best practices? Need to meet with an employee? Why not suggest setting it up over an hour on the elliptical? Need to ready that brief you’ve been putting off for a week? Well, that’s why they have reading ledges on stairmasters!
Excuse: I get so bored at the gym!
Excuse busted!: Who said that the gym is the only place to get exercise? Just because you’re not 12, doesn’t mean that you can’t play team sports! Suggest your company start a softball league, look up a cardio tennis league, or sign up for adult soccer. The options are endless and you’ll get fit all while having a fun new social outlet.
Excuse: I like the gym, but I’m intimidated and don’t know what I’m doing.
Excuse busted!: Enlist the help of a trainer. Trainers aren’t just for Hollywood starlets anymore. Many trainers at your local gyms offer great rates and special introductory offer making it good financial and common sense to sign on!
Excuse: I can’t afford it.
Excuse busted!: In the event you can’t afford the gym or the tennis lessons you so desperately want, consider your other options before accepting your fate as a couch potato! You still have your own two legs – and you can find some great resources online for learning how to run. Or, why not blast your iTunes as you clean house and really work up a sweat. Or, you could chase your dog around the park? All completely free, fitness building and mood lifting options!
Photo by: joshkim97
