When I talk to people about how they can get fit, eat better and live healthy, I hear so many excuses for not doing it. Whether it is my nursing job working with disease management patients or my everyday life, I find some are the same ones we always hear and others are new and creative. Here are some of those excuses:
- “I don’t have time” – I understand that we are all busy. I have three children with busy schedules, work a full time job, and yet, I schedule my workouts each day whether in the morning or the evening. You have to make the time each day to work out. You can find 30 minutes each day to do an activity. Give up that show you watch or DVR it for later. Get up 30 minutes earlier and workout before going to work. Whatever it takes, you can make time if you make it a priority
- “I can’t afford the gym” – I understand the financial stress on a family these days. Signing up for the gym may not be in your budget right now. Instead of giving up and not working out at all, start walking around the block or at work. If you live in an area that makes it hard to walk, go to a track or even the mall and walk. Once you feel comfortable, you can increase the walk to a jog or even a run if you desire. Getting fit does not mean spending a lot of money if you cannot afford to do so.
- “I don’t like going to a gym” – You do not have to go to a gym to work out. As I stated above, you can walk or run without joining a gym. You can also workout at home with a treadmill, elliptical, weight machine or by doing videos. Part of the reason I enjoy the online workouts is that I do not have to leave home to work out. Each day, I pull up my online program and my workout is ready to go. If the gym is not for you, then find another activity that will get you moving. Youtube or other platforms provide great resources – and some are free – to workout at home.
- “I just can’t eat that Paleo diet” – you do not have to eat a Paleo diet to get healthy. You can make simple changes like drinking water or unsweetened tea. If you cannot give up soda just yet, then start by transitioning to diet soda. While you should include some fruits and vegetables in your diet, start by reducing your portion sizes. Americans are so used to “super-sizing” everything that we eat larger portions than we actually should. Once you have reduced your portion sizes (quantity), start focusing on the quality. Start eating less red meat and pork and add more poultry and fish. Then increase the vegetables and fruits.
- “I have an injury/I have bad knees” – Injuries can cause serious problems for exercising but it does not make it impossible. I have had two surgeries on my knee due to a car accident when I was younger. My knee sounds like rice krispies when I bend it, but that does not mean that I cannot exercise. I know my limits and what I can do and work around my injury. Find an activity that works for you. Swimming is a great activity for people who have bad knees. Yoga might be a good idea for someone with a bad back as it helps to strengthen your core and provide support for your back. If you recently had an injury, it is always a good idea to consult your doctor to discuss possible activities while you recover.
- “I just can’t do it” – when I hear people say this, I cringe. Everyone can do it, but you have to choose to do it. When people say this, I understand that they are saying, “This is not a priority for me.” When you make living healthy a priority, the pieces of the puzzle will fall into place. You will want to make time to work out. You will make that list of healthy foods to buy at the grocery store and you will find the activity that works for you and your lifestyle. This is when you will see those amazing results.
When we finally set aside these and so many more excuses, we can see the benefits of healthy living. Make getting fit your priority and see how much better your future looks. If you need someone to guide you through this journey, please contact me and we can work together to get you started.
Join the Conversation
