My solutions for common exercise excuses
We all have exercise excuses we’re often unaware of. We put the alarm clock on snooze, or simply don’t make the time to fit in that exercise class. But what if I told you that for all the common exercise excuses out there, I have a bunch of solutions…
Firstly, if you try rebounding, I can almost guarantee that exercise excuses will be a thing of the past. It really is one of the most effective exercises you can do to tone up and lose weight, but the best thing about it
Exercise excuse 1: I'm too tired
The feeling of impending doom is sometimes all too real when anticipating your gym session at the end of the day. A lack of sleep, lack of exercise and lack of nutritious foods can also add exhaustion to a busy schedule
What to do about it
- Make the commitment. Sometimes running errands and grocery shopping is tiring too, but you still go - and it's often not as bad as you think. Exercise needs to rank high on your list of priorities.
- You'll never regret a workout, unless you’re feeling unwell. But generally, it gives you a guaranteed good feeling once you’re done.
- Just show up. If the thought of a really tough or intense workout is putting you off, just make it your goal to arrive – doing half the workout well, versus your whole session is still better than nothing. Once you’ve started, you can decide how much you’re up for, and chances are your energy levels will pick up and you’ll forget you were tired!
- Try low impact exercise. It helps to energise and oxygenate the body as well as regulate circadian rhythms, which can improve your quality of sleep.
Rebounding is particularly effective for this as it stimulates detoxification and lymphatic flow, leaving you feeling energised and upbeat after each workout!
ALSO SEE: 46 benefits of rebounding and why you should try it
Exercise excuse 2: I don't have time
Between kids, demanding schedules and meeting work deadlines, it really can feel like there’s simply no time for exercise. But I’m here to tell you otherwise!
What to do about it
- Make a choice and prioritise exercise. It needs to be one of your non-negotiables like brushing your teeth. Our bodies are designed to move and exercise helps us to feel more energised, to build strength and stay healthy. Remember why you need to do it when you’re tempted to skip!
- Add ‘buffer’ time into your busy schedule. If you have a daily to-do list, underestimate yourself rather than overestimate, and make that list shorter. Pencil in ‘buffering’ time around your other activities, to factor in emergencies, complications or unplanned events. That way your commitments for the day will stay safe, and you won’t have to forego any of them – exercise included.
- Commit to 20 minutes. You can torch serious calories in just 20 minutes of exercise if you’re prepared to get intense. And anybody can make time for 20 minutes, right? Rebounding is also one of the most time-effiecient exercises you can do because it's both cardio and weight-bearinfg in one, plus it works all your major muscle groups as you defy gravity.
- Set yourself up for success. You can do this by making an effort to prepare ahead for the next day. A 20-minute session of meal-planning and putting out gym clothes the night before is often all it takes to make your morning run smoother.
- Make at least one activity on the weekend fitness based, or better yet, two activities.. so that by the time the new week strarts, you're a step ahead with your training.
- Train at home, so you save time on travelling time to the gym, etc.
Love the idea of high-energy, live online classes?
WATCH my video to see how you can join my live online community today!
Exercise excuse 3: It's too expensive
Most people associate exercise with two things – gym contracts and personal trainers. And both of those can be pricey. But that isn’t the only way to exercise.
What to do about it
- Explore free options. There are plenty of free workouts online, ranging from Pilates to yoga, strength training and of course, rebounding. Choose from 6 FREE rebounding classes or some of my favourite strength workouts on my YouTube channel.
- Train at home. If you're looking to build strength, get fit and burn the maximum amount of calories, in a short space of time, then try my at-home rebounding workouts, and I promise you won't look back. There are plenty of rebounding workouts (and resistance band workouts, or workouts with weights) on my Online Store, ranging from 5 minutes to 60 minutes, and you can also choose full body, upper body or lower body workouts to suit your specific goals, from as little as R20 per download.
Exercise excuse 4: I don't know how to exercise properly
Exercise feels like a big time waster when you’re not sure how to perform specific moves or even which exercises to do in the first place. Gyms can often feel intimidating for this very reason.
What to do about it
- Attend fitness classes online or at the gym: the trainers are in charge of keeping you in check.
- Exercise with an informed friend. Shadowing someone who knows what they’re doing gives you a good guideline of what to do and how to use specific machines.
- Follow fitness DVDs and YouTube tutorials – any information provided by a professional will help.
- If in doubt, ask! Nowadays, fitness trainers are always available via email or through social media platforms to answer questions.
- Ask a physiotherapist or biokineticist for help if you're not sure how to perform certain moves, and you're concerned about possible injuries.
Exercise excuse 5: I don't see results quick enough
The truth is, quick fixes such as extreme exercise plans or fad diets, seldom work. I always say there’s no magic formula when it comes to maintaining a healthy weight and feeling your best. The trick is to accept this and find something you enjoy so it doesn’t feel like hard work, but rather slots into your lifestyle.
Exercise excuse 5: I'm not seeing results fast enough
- Choose a better reason for being fit: health, energy and happiness are stronger reinforcements than simply looking in the mirror, especially when visual results take time.
- Be patient. True healthy habits are a slow burn; en
- ergy will creep up slowly, kilos will drop off slowly. Don’t expect immediate results.
- Try a cleanse. If you need a kick-start to stay motivated, follow a professional detox programme or plan like my Elimin8 Programme.
- Take a selfie – it’s true! Photo evidence really is the best way to measure your success, especially when it’s slow.
- Make sure you set an achievable goal and know how to achieve it. Ask a fitness friend what type of exercise youneed to be doing to get the look you want. This will prevent you wasting time on moves that don’t earn results.
Exercise excuse 6: I'm too old and/or unfit to exercise
With arthritis, potential osteoporosis and brittle bones often getting the better of us, it’s easy to think that exercise will only do further damage or aggravate pain. Plus, many of us have old injuries from school sports that tend to flare up later.
What to do about it
- Remember that exercise is the number one preventative against a myriad of illnesses and ailments. It's a form of defense you can’t afford to neglect.
- Stiffness and soreness is normal after a few initial sessions, you need to push through for a few weeks to really feel the benefits and even alleviate pain.
- With ageing comes a loss of muscle mass, and bone density is affected as a result. Exercise is crucial if you want to build strong bones and muscle strength, while improving posture. Moderate exercise also helps to improve range of motion and balance while preventing falls. Rebounding is one of the best, low impact exercises you can do while recovering from any ailment or injury. It’s also a suitable postnatal exercise. In fact, rebounding is the one exercise modality that helped me lose weight and tone up after having Bella.
