Imagine with me for a moment.
Pretend that I am your very best friend. I've just told you that I have an amazing and easy task that will totally transform your life in just 20-30 minutes per day. For this really small time investment, I could experience these benefits:
- A fantastic mood
- Increased energy
- Increased mental sharpness (good-bye brain fog!)
- Live a longer life
- Feel young & strong
- Improved mobility as you age (No canes/walkers for me please!)
- A stronger immune system
- Lowered risk of heart disease
- Lowered blood pressure
- Reduced risk of many cancers
- Lower risk of poor bone health
Moreover, all these things have been scientifically proven over the long-term. The investment doesn't have to cost anything. Wouldn't you jump in?
We all know these benefits of regular exercise. Most of us have experienced the immediate benefits first hand...
So why is it still so hard to make exercise a priority and a habit?
1. Boredom
Many of us are just bored of doing the same thing over and over again. Exercise becomes monotonous, dull and boring so we start making excuses until we have stopped all together.
2. Lack of Time
Life is busy and many of us struggle to find 20-30 minutes to get our workout in. Plus, let's face it. Getting a workout in takes at least an hour if you include getting dressed, deciding on an activity, doing the actual workout and then showering and grooming all over again.
3. Gym-Dread
If you are anything like me, I dread going into the gym. All those eyes on me. What are those people thinking? I would just rather not.
4. Not knowing where to start
There is so much conflicting information out there. Especially for women. We hear advice like 'lift heavy' and then 'lift light with high reps' and then your yogi friend says 'just do yoga' but you keep hearing that cardio is important too. What are we supposed to DO? Where do we start?
5. It's too expensive
Have you seen the cost of a gym membership these days? The cost of building your own home gym? Yikes!
What can we do about it?
1. Embrace Variety
For example, here is a workout rotation that I use often:
- Strength Training
- Cardio
- Pilates
- Metabolic Conditioning
- Cardio
- Yoga
- Walk
Each week the workout I use for each is different. This helps me keep things mixed up and continually challenging my body.
One of my favorite things is trying a new workout video or a new routine. I like not knowing what's coming next.
2. Treat TIME as A Tool
Time is your greatest resource. You can either use it as a tool to help you achieve your goals, or let it run your life.
That said, things come up last minute in all of our lives. This is why I have found that getting up every day and jumping right into a 15- 20 minute workout is a huge benefit.
3. Ditch the Gym
If you can totally relate with Gym-Dread then ditch the gym! I give you permission.
Instead, carve out a space at home where you can go and get your workout in. If you have a family, set clear expectations. "If I am in this space working out then I am not to be disturbed." After all, most of the kids "emergencies" (what's the netflix password mom?)... can wait 20-30 minutes. Right?
I'll share a number of free resources for working out at home in #5. Keep reading.
4. Start Where You are & With What You Have
Take an inventory. What are you doing now for exercise? What equipment do you have available?
Start with that. Then grow on that foundation.
Avoid the temptation to compare yourself to others. Compete only with yourself. Focusing on improving you a little bit each day.For example, let's say you haven't been active lately. You feel zip-tied to your desk at the office but know you need to move more. What if you add in a 10 minute walk at lunch every day? If you exercise for 10 minutes for 6 days this week. That's 60 minutes of activity you didn't get last week.
That my friend, is a win!
The key? Start with small goals and build on these goals. You'll be amazed at what happens.
5. FREE Resources!
Joining a gym, hiring a personal trainer, or purchasing equipment for a home gym are all expensive endeavors. The good news is that you do not need any equipment other than your own body to get in a good workout.
Check out my YouTube channel where I keep an updated list of my favorite FREE workouts. These amazing people are recording workouts for people just like you and have workouts for all different levels. The workouts on my channel are all workouts I have completed myself and workouts that I come back to time and time again.
Now get out there and get started!
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