I bet you wonder how she does it. That fit superwoman that has three kids, a part time job, and a volunteer job, carrying 6 credits a semester working toward her master’s degree, all while managing to get to the gym. Don’t forget she still plays Cinderella at home because as my mom always said, “the laundry doesn’t fold itself, and dinner isn’t delivered by a genie.”
So if you try to tell someone like that “I just don’t have enough time to get to the gym,” she might try to sympathize with you, but honestly, her-toned-tush you don’t have enough time. You do. We are all given 24 hours in a day. And no, there aren’t enough hours in the day, for ANY of us. Life is hectic. Life is busy. Life gets hard. We make time for what’s important and your health is important. So, you might have to cut out the hour per day you spend stalking people on Facebook , or quit watching “Real Housewives” reruns (guys, don’t even pretend you aren’t into that), and we’ll never believe you are color coordinating your closet for summer. I’m going to be bold here and say that your “I don’t have time” excuse is 99.9% not valid.
By speaking with members and local people in the Poconos, I came up with a list of the most common invalid excuses people have for not going to the gym:
Money: Ok. A gym membership is a bit of an investment. But I would rather spend, say, 50 dollars a month for the year instead of spending money on medicine, doctor visits, fast food, eating out, and pain reduction products. If you go to the gym regularly, preferably more days than not during the week, lots of those aches and pains and health issues will begin to dissipate. Spend a little to save a lot. Done & done.
Too Tired/ I’m too lazy: You’re tired? Congratulations, you are the average person working in corporate America. This past week, I asked some members how they felt before and after their workout, and the nearly 100% answered that they felt like they had more energy and felt better after working out than before. Working out releases endorphins and makes you feel great! It’s like a double shot espresso, but better.
Body Image: Too many people think they have to get in shape before they go to the gym and that they will stick out like a sore thumb. While some gyms appeal to young, buff, beautiful people where an “average” person might feel out of place, please trust me when I say that there are lot more average people both in the world at large and at most health clubs. We are all there to better ourselves. Some people want to get stronger, some want to get leaner, some want to run out work frustration, and some are there on doctor’s orders or for medical reasons. Find the right gym for you - a place that is full of different kinds of people, encouraging you and helping you, no matter WHAT you look like or WHAT your motivation is.
Time: *Please refer to my opening paragraph, re-read twice.*
Maybe you have heard some of these excuses before, or used them yourself. Take those excuses out with the garbage. They are doing nothing but hindering your health. Even in a time of financial stress, the very last thing that should be cut from your life is your well being. You owe it to yourself, and you deserve it, too.
*Kate is a personal trainer at Elevations Health Club.