When it comes to eating and exercising, people are quick to produce an excuse explaining why their health isn’t at the level it should be. Convincing themselves that they can only focus on their health when some other factor is right.
It’s the Goldilocks Syndrome…. Where something is wrong with the present circumstances.
Change Your Tune
Does your record player repeat the same excuses? Work is too busy. My social life is hectic. The kids take up all my time. I have an injury. It’s too hot to exercise. It’s too cold. It’s too early. It’s too late. I’m too old. I have no energy. I’m overweight. I don’t have the right equipment. I need to buy fitness clothes.
Eating better and exercising aren’t habits which inconvenience our life, they’re a positive discipline we should all implement so we can continue managing all our other responsibilities at our best.
Conditions don’t matter for success. Discipline does.
Let’s take a look at some of the common excuses we hear, maybe some of these you’ve said yourself.
I don’t have enough time to workout.
If you’ve got 15 minutes you’ve got enough time. Alternatively making changes to your daily routine will also accumulate “exercise time” such as – walking to work, get of the bus/train a stop earlier and walk, quit the lift and choose the stairs, take a 15 minute walk during lunch.
I don’t have access to a gym, or one day I’ll have my own garage/home gym, and I’ll be able to work out every day.
You can exercise using just your body. Unfortunately this modern day mindset that we need contraptions to stay healthy is a result of clever marketing companies dating back to the 70’s and the prevalence of home shopping channels today.
Sure, machines have their uses in specific scenarios, but most people follow the myth of the perfect fitness equipment, gadget or gear ( the more expensive, the better) that will answer all their fitness woes. The fact is, most people only need two things to get fit; their body and some time; as little as 15 minutes.
One day I’ll have more time – e.g. I’m too busy with work, looking for a new job, working on my promotion, busy sorting the kids out.
We all have x, y and z responsibilities, but waiting for them to make space in your schedule often never happens. Things will always fill that time. Most people are waiting for the perfect time. Unfortunately this point comes when the doctor tells them their time is limited. Successful people address their health proactively. No should, could or would but an absolute must.
Knowing that your health dictates how well you can deliver on all your other responsibilities, you must prioritise and schedule it as part of you day. If this requires that you do it first thing in the morning, then do it. If something clashes with your exercise time, change the exercise, but don’t skip it.
I hate working out
Don’t think working out has to mean jogging on a treadmill for miles and miles. Stop with the chronic cardio and start tricking yourself into working out.
1. Enjoy a walk in the countryside
A steady paced walk for 20 – 60 minutes in the fresh air and soaking up vitamin-D in the light is essential for good health.
2. Check out a new part of the neighbourhood
Explore a new part of your area or a neighbourhood you admire. An evening or weekend stroll is an effective way to clear your head and reflect on your goals.
3. Play with the kids
Nothing beats quality time with your kids. Physical activities like visiting to the pool, playing tag, throwing a frisbee or having a pillow fight are great for bonding and don’t even feel like exercise.
Here are some other ideas: Wash the car, enjoy window-shopping, soak up the sun gardening or detox the home with a spring-clean.
I keep stress eating, eating food I know is not good for me, but it makes me feel better.
Using food to de-stress is commonly linked to overeating and other psychological conditions. It may provide a short-term reward, but you’ll feel terrible, bloated, and guilty in a couple hours. Why not look to other ways to remove stress from your life? The increased blood flow, adrenaline and production of endorphins we experience from exercising have been shown to decrease stress. You could also try meditation which allows you to practice effective breathing and mindfulness.
I can’t afford healthy foods
Sure you can. Often the best approach is to buy in bulk. This approach even makes available good quality and nutritious options like organic, grass fed, free range and organ meats. Frozen fruit and veg have been shown to be good value and in many cases even more nutritious than fresh. Good planning, cooking in bulk and freezing home-cooked meals are strategies used by people who live healthy lives.
When winter is over, I’ll get started in January. Summer is nearly over, I’ll leave it till next year.
How many people say this over the course of how many years? Regardless of what the lifestyle magazines may have you believe, being healthy is not seasonal – it’s a requirement for life.
Unless you’re living in parts of the world susceptible to extreme weather (for which there are still options) you should still be able to plan some form of exercise as part of your daily routine. During winter why not take up a winter activity and challenge yourself with a new skill while getting fit – climbing walls, indoor rinks, martial arts, trampoline parks – many of these offer trial sessions. Alternatively put on some extra layers and take a walk, worse case simply get moving in your living room.
Listen, we all experience times of overwhelm, when the day has been hard and things are screaming for our attention from all directions. But if we don’t take time to keep our body in the best condition it can be, how can we taken the challenges of life effectively. Invest time for your health and your body will give back to you many times over.
