“Discipline means doing what needs to be done, even when you don’t want to.”
I hate to admit it but I have really fallen off when it comes to exercising on a regular basis. I have fits and starts where I’ll get motivated and go for a jog or do an exercise DVD at home. But overall, I’ve been very inconsistent and I’m always making excuses (to myself) as to why I “don’t have time” to exercise.
Excuse #1
I do my hair pretty much every Sunday, so the last thing I want to do is sweat it out. I have natural hair, so one would think that this would give me more flexibility. I guess it depends on how I’m wearing it. The most ideal hairstyle (for me) to wear when I’m working out is a bun or some type of protective style. That way I don’t have to worry about tangles or having to re-straighten or re-twist. So, what’s the problem then? The problem comes back to my priorities. If I were making my health a priority (over my hairstyle) then I’d make sure that my hairstyle did not inhibit my work out. It’s very simple. But I make it hard.
Excuse #2
I belong to a gym at my job and most of my coworkers go to the gym or go outside to run during lunch at least 3-4 times a week. So, I have the facilities, I have the encouragement of my peers, and I still don’t go. If I’m not going out to lunch, then I’m typically at my desk writing during my lunch hour. With my full-time night job of mom to three, I rarely have time to write at home during the week. While writing is definitely a worthwhile priority, I realize that my health is still more important. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. I should be able to alternate how I spend my lunch time so that I’m able to accommodate both of these positive outlets.
Excuse #3
Finally, I know I’ve had a hard time getting started because I’m afraid that I won’t stick with it (again). I truly want to be toned and in shape and have more energy, but I don’t want to do the work to make it happen. I remember there was a time when missing a day at the gym was torture! I was so into it and I looked forward to working out everyday. To go from that, to where I am now is pretty discouraging. How do I know that I won’t fall off again? I guess I don’t. But I know that if I don’t try, I’ll continue to feel that I’m not taking the best care of myself that I can which is not good for my peace of mind.
ugh! I always make excuses smh… Im too tired, too busy with other things, etc, I use to be in the gym ALL THE TIME–like all the employees knew my name, just this summer I was like 15lbs lighter, I let work and being tired get in my way too much… Definitely making a change now and for the New Year!
my excuse is not really an excuse but more of a procrastination. I think the night before…"okay I will set my clock and get up for exercise", then after hitting the snooze button 20 times I get up and think "dang, I overslept…oh well I will do it tomorrow morning" and it goes on and on and on from there. I think I just dont want to deal with it, sad but true.
I so identify. Lately I joined a gym and also committ to working out with a friend on one of the 3 days that I'm supposed to be at the gym. I typically make it 2 out of 3 days lately. When it comes to hair I found that not all activities cause me to sweat profusely. Cardio dance drenches my entire head, however circuit training and treadmill walking on an incline at a slow jog or rapid walk doesn't cause me to really sweat in my head. Each person is different and maybe try to do buns on days that you committ to working out and invite a buddy to help keep you on track. I wish you the best with creating a consistent workout regimen. You can definitley do it!
Barbara of barbaranaturallyspeaking.blogspot.com
I always say I don't have time. I just joined a track team because I ran in high school and I'm nervous it is going to where me out. I know it would help me in so many ways though. PRAY FOR ME!
What I did was major in nutrition. I am just starting off in the field and it really pressures me to eat right and stay fit. I am currently contemplating adding exercise physiology as a second major. I feel as if this is the only way to push myself…to know more about what I want to do and HOW to do it properly. I am not suggesting to go to college for all of your problems, but researching the best way to get in shape for you lifestyle and body type may be the best route to go. Hope this helps.
the excuses before were not having enough money, laziness, school, hair, etc etc. Oh my goodness..the list was long at one point. I mean seriously, I had a FREE gym downstairs in my building that was 24/7 and still found a way to not make it into my routine. The way I was able to do it was to make a schedule. It started with a weekly to do list and I just stuck with it. All it will take is 2 weeks on you consistently going to the gym from 3-5 days a week and you will be hooked with the experience. It makes you feel soooo good. Now what I am trying to is work on pushing myself during the workouts and doing MORE.
The hair excuse is mine. Another one of my MAIN excuses is that I've always been fairly thin so I've never been motivated to actually work out aggressively. But the main reason why I need to exercise shouldn't be weight loss but just to stay active and have more energy.
My excuses have been not having the time when I was in grad school and working, to not feeling like working out after work. What I should have done was just hit the gym first thing in the AM before work. The time is always there we just have to make it. Now I go to the gym 3-4x/week no matter what. I don't find hair maintenance an issue. I can usually just retwist my hair in large sections before bed and untwist in the AM for a cute style. Or wear a curly puff.
I fell all the way off the exercise wagon this year. Haven't been to the gym since April and the daily 3-5 mile power walks I started during the fall ended once the weather got cold.
I have been a die-hard exerciser since 2000, even during my last pregnancy. Losing my desire to work out is one of the most alarming effects of the depression I have been fighting for almost 2 years. Once I stopped working out, I felt like the depression won the battle.
I'm not overweight at all…5'5" and between a size 4 & 6. Although I haven't really gained weight, I've lost tone, feel flabby, and lack the strength and energy I once had. Plus I'm almost 44 and maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential at my age.
I never make new year's resolutions but I have one for 2012: to get myself back in the gym to feel better!
My biggest excuse of the past for not working out was, I didn't want to mess my hair up! But now that I am 100% natural, if I sweat out the style of the day, all I have to do is a quick co-wash and restyle. These days time is my worst enemy. I work full-time, I am in grad school, and I have a 20-month old daughter who it attached to her Mommy's hip most of the time. I find myself trying to get things done once she goes to sleep, but by that time, I am ready to go to sleep to! 2012 is a new year for me in so many ways. I am going to commit myself to a simple but regular workout regimen at home, eliminate my addiction to fast food, and drink more water! I am only about 15 pounds over the suggested weight for my height, but I know I can do better. I wish everyone luck! Nikki, we are trying to get like you girl! lol
It's definitely easy to make excuses to not exercise and I'm no different. What has helped me is to go the gym before going home. When I used to go home first, it was easy to get comfortable at home watching tv, etc. which would result in me not wanting to head back out to go the gym. ~KF519
You just have to start my dear.Get/find the motivation and start it.Everyday is a new decision that needs to be made to work out and eat well.I started losing weight February 14, 2010. I went from a size 18/20 womens, to a size 14 non womens. I should have been at my goal weight and/or size by now, but i'm not. I am rolling my goal size of a 12 to 2012. "12 for 2012" is what I'm calling it.I have to make the decision to eat healthy everyday. I am still exercising and have a personal trainer who is GREAT!Even though I am not where I want to be, I am nowhere near where I was.Start making plans now for what you will do and pick a date to start it. Keep going everyday and in notime at all you will start to see results!!
I was the same way! When I was younger, I was really active, but found my later years filled a whole lot less physical activity because of crazy grad school schedules and traveling. So I definitely had plenty of excuses, even when my friends would invite me to work out with them. Now, I'm getting back on it and I'm loving it! I recently joined a mixed-martial arts gym and have been taking boxing, muay thai, and soon brazlian jiu-jitsu. I suggest trying different things to see what you like and gets you motivated to work out. It may surprise you! It's like that Kaiser Permanente commercial. Going to the gym and running may not be "your thing." You should find an activity that you like and not just something you're doing because you know you should. Good Luck!
I used to make excuses also. I'll be motivated for a month or two then drop off…until just recently! I found a site called Bodyrock.tv that has 4-8 minute workouts including abs, body weight exercises and toning. There is also a lot of variety, so you don't have to do the same thing everyday.
Check out my recent blogpost referencing Bodyrock.tv:
http://approachingzenith.blogspot.com/2011/12/its-that-time-my-favorite-time-of-year.html
The excuses that I make and say to myself are: I don't have the time or if I don't do it today I'll do it tomorrow (which almost never happens). I've recently started making positive changes by comitting at minimum 45 minutes after work at least 3 to 4 times a day. These 45 minutes are between the time I get home from work and when I have to pick up my kids from daycare. It's interesting that the first 2-3 were difficult putting the time in but once I started feeling a bit more energized and some of the inches coming off that gives me more motivation to continue. The suggestion for you is simply to carve out the time somewhere and do it for the benefit of yourself and your family. The biggest asset that we have as working moms & dads is our health without it we cannot continue to support our family financially, emotionally etc. Good Luck! 🙂