Aren’t you tired of making excuses and justifications as to why you are not “ready” to start a fitness regimen?
The question you now have to ask yourself is – which group would I like to consciously CHOOSE to put myself in? Those who have made a career out of creatively coming up with all the excuses in the book to avoid starting a fitness regimen and cleverly come up with “evidences” to justify their actions? Or, do you want to be that person, that special lady, who can finally look at those excuses and see them for what they really are – just excuses, excuses that’s preventing you from achieving the body you’ve always wanted and deserved.
It is important to bear in mind though that having a beautiful feminine physique is worth aspiring to, it is just the inevitable outcome to practicing a healthier lifestyle. As they say, “look good, feel good.” However, if you think about it, it’s more like, “feel good, look good, feel good.” When you eat right, exercise, your natural tendency is to feel good. When you feel good, you literally look good and when you look good, you start to feel better about yourself. You are now more motivated, have more drive and more energy to enjoy and appreciate life! This is the true reward!
So let’s take a look at the top three most common excuses and how we can start to re-condition our minds to work for us instead of against us.
Excuse #1 – “I’m too tired. I don’t have the time.”
Believable isn’t it? If you think about it, it actually sounds reasonable. Afterall, you work at least eight hours a day, add maybe an hour or two of daily commute, chores to do when you get home, personal calls and emails you simply “must return.” What about time for yourself? What about that TV show you’ve been following? Let’s face it, isn’t it your only form of recreation for yourself? What about that Facebook status that you need to update? Wow! What a laundry list! Oh yes! That too! You have to do laundry! How can anybody fit in laundry after all that! What about sleep? When are you going to sleep? You’re right. By the time you’re done, it’s bedtime.
Wrong! Agreed that you only have limited hours in a day, but all it takes is just a little tweak in your daily routine and you can certainly fit in there an exercise or two! Let’s take a look at some of these options.
How about going for a walk during your lunch break? Walking with a friend is actually more fun than doing it by yourself. How about doing that instead? Or, you can bring a small weight equipment like a kettle bell at work and do exercises right there at your cubicle? Hey, who knows? You might even start a trend!
You can still watch TV, do laundry or read a book and do some simple exercises during without really disrupting or distracting your attention from what you are reading. Rest and relaxation is important in fitness, just make sure that you don’t incorporate unhealthy habits like eating fatty and unhealthy snacks while doing your daily evening routine. If you must snack, do some online research as there are many healthy snack alternatives available out there! Choose the one that you like the best and stay with it.
The only excuse that you are allowed to have is the one on giving yourself and your body enough hours of sleep. If you are truly too tired to exercise, just do yourself and your body a favor by not subjecting it to further strain by not eating fatty unhealthy snacks, but instead, rest and sleep. At the very least, your body is able to repair those muscles that have been worn off and also build your immune system.
Excuse #2 – “Gym memberships and equipment are just too expensive. I cannot afford it right now.”
You said it – if you are not ready or committed to being fit and having a healthy lifestyle, then, you are right, you are not ready to join a gym or buy any gym equipment. Period. However, if you are done making excuses, you know that you do not need any gym memberships or equipment to exercise and practice a healthier lifestyle. As mentioned previously, there are many alternatives that you can choose. You just have to find one that you really like and can sustain. Whether it’s going for a walk or a jog, whether it’s with a friend or by yourself, walking is the most common and fun way to exercise. Other options you can use are exercise DVDs which you can rent or buy. Or, if you are a big youtube fan, just simply look at the free videos on there. Your options, especially these days are unlimited!
Excuse #3 – “I am not well enough, or young anymore to exercise.”
Shame on you for using this as an excuse! If being too old is really an excuse, then what’s the point of Seniors Recreation Centers? There are people much older than you, exercising, going for long walks and practicing a more active and healthier lifestyle than you. Age is not an excuse, ok?
Unless your doctor prohibits you from exercising, this is just about the only excuse that is allowable. However, modern and holistic medicine now truly recognizes the importance of establishing a daily exercise and fitness program even for individuals with physical disabilities, including the morbidly obese. As a matter of fact, Zumba Gold, a Latin-based dance exercise fitness class has actually been developed specifically to cater to these special groups.
The bottom line is, the choice is truly up to you. Excuses or results? Your call.
Leif Oakman is a fitness expert. Check out his site for more resources about female abs and lower abs workout at TonedStomach.org