Feeling guilty that it’s the last stretch of summer and you’re not feeling as fit as you’d like to be? We sometimes need a bit of a wake up call. These 5 self-defeating excuses will crush your motivation if you’re not careful, but with a bit of mindfulness, you can keep them in check.
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You don’t have enough time. Try entering everything you have to do this week into your calendar app. See those blank spaces? Schedule in an exercise session. Yes, actually enter it into your calendar. No, not next week, this week.
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You don’t have the money. Squats and burpees aren’t copyrighted. You don’t need fancy equipment to get a good work out. You can work out anywhere. Need more guidance? Try YouTube. There are tons of free resources and ideas there.
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You’re too out of shape. Do you have a health condition or serious physical limitations? Consult your healthcare provider about when and how to get started. Not that out of shape? Then the impossible standards you have set for yourself are holding you back. Come on, this is Psychology 101. Don’t take on so much that you can barely walk the next day; you’ll never want to work out again. Start small and progress slowly enough that you continue to feel capable.
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You hate exercise. Try exploring the possibilities. There must be an activity out there that’s fun enough to motivate you to move. No? Then try scheduling it with a friend. Set a time to meet for a walk or a bike ride. It’s much harder to bail when you’re bailing on someone else. Plus, you can catch up on things while you’re together.
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You don’t have enough energy. You know that when you’re active you feel more energized than ever. The hardest part of starting regular exercise is getting your butt off the couch. You know what? Let’s get past this hurdle right now. When we’re done here, don’t go back to your inbox or Facebook. Get up and walk around the block. Notice all the familiar excuses that popped into your head at the mere suggestion? Overcome them; put on a pair of pants, grab an umbrella, pause Netflix. Step away from the electronic device and get up. Get up now.
