Stop the excuses! Make exercise a priority in your day with these simple suggestions.

Feel like you don’t have a moment to spare for exercise? Or do you find it just plain boring?  Or are you committed, until the moment to start and then you’re just too tired.  You’re not the only one. But if you anticipate potential barriers, you can effectively develop solutions to make exercise a priority. Try these ideas for overcoming common fitness obstacles, and exercise will become a normal part of your daily routine before you know it.

Lack of time

• Break activity into shorter periods of time, such as 10-minute walks or 30 minute blocks to engage in different fitness activities.
• Identify current time wasters, such as sitting on the couch and watching TV.
• Plan exercise into your daily schedule, as you would an appointment or meeting.
• Reframe your concept of exercise to include many everyday activities, such as walking the dog or walking up stairs instead of taking the elevator
• Select activities that you can fit into your home or work routine so you’re not spending time on transportation to another venue to accomplish them. Walking in your neighborhood, climbing stairs at your office or exercising while you watch TV are all good options.
• Give yourself permission to make exercise a priority.  If you don’t take care of yourself, how can you take care of those you love.   Be a role model.

Boredom

• Change up your routines and location – get outside!
• Do a variety of activities rather than just one or two (for example, try walking, swimming or pilates).
• Work out with a friend or in a group.
• Come join us here at MoDex or take a class online
• Listen to music, watch TV or read while you work out.
• Challenge yourself with new goals – there are lots of great apps to track these.
• Experiment with interval training.
• Get a new gadget or piece of equipment.

Lack of motivation and/or energy

• Plan ahead. Determine what time of day you feel more energetic and try to fit activity into that time frame
• Schedule your physical activity for specific times/days and “check” it off your list or calendar each time you complete it.
• Workout with a friend to motivate you and keep you accountable or use an app that does this.

Family caregiving obligations

• Exercise with your kids.  Go for a walk together, play tag or other running games, get an aerobic dance or exercise tape for kids. You can spend time together, occupy the kids and ensure they’re getting the daily physical activity they need to stay healthy. 
• For time to train away from the kids, try alternating babysitting time with a neighbor.

Lack of facilities or resources

• Select activities you can do on your own, such as walking, jogging or jumping rope.
• There are so many free workouts online

Check in with yourself regularly and identify any barriers holding you back from being the best you that you can be.  Then find a solution to barrier.  No excuses!