NO EXCUSE FOR NOT EXERCISING

No Excuse for Not Exercising Anymore

Ok so I’m that kid. The one that doesn’t like gym exercise and avoided it at all possible costs. If it was secret exercise that was fine; I played on a baseball team for years and was the catcher – I had thunder thighs of steel. Growing up I realized the importance of exercise and have had every gym membership that exists, but nothing kept me motivated.

 The most fit I’ve ever felt in my life was when I did Karate for a few years until now; which was fun, except when we had to do pushups and run laps and all that not so fun exercise stuff.

I could make up any excuse in the book to avoid it, right from when I was younger. I was that kid during gym class that had to go to the bathroom every time we had to do laps. My poor male teachers they heard it was that time of the month too many times in a month. But like I said any excuse to get out of the those runs. As I grew older, it was too much homework, an exam on the weekend, partied too much the night before- whereas many of my classmates used exercise as an outlet to manage their stress or to make themselves feel better. I didn’t get that how could running a 5k run make you feel more energized, release stress, it really did not make any sense. As a mom I’ve tried to set an example of healthy choices, movement and being outside, however when it comes to me moving well let’s just say there’s always dishes to do, laundry to be done and things to be organized. My exercise up to this point as a mother has always been mini races with my kids and lots of stretching on the floor.

Well this has all changed now. Who knew my classmates were right that it releases stress. I look forward to that time by myself and feel guilty when I don’t get to exercise. Now here’s the thing, as a mom of two with two jobs, time is limited for exercise and it is a real excuse only I’m not accepting it anymore. So my kids and I now do baby yoga, I have found 20 minute videos online that I take time out of my day to do, the YMCA has been a wonderful resource, child minding and wonderful kid programs while I work out. And last but not least my favorite on those days that it just doesn’t fit – and sometimes it will seem like it won’t I run on the spot while I brush my teeth, do squats on my bathroom break, jog from one place to another in the house and my latest, laundry by stairs – so I live on the 11^th floor, and today I decided that instead of taking the elevator to move my laundry from wash to dry I took the time to go down the stairs and then back up; something that would have never crossed my mind in the past.

When you’re making lifestyle changes all these new little habits count, especially when a two hour exercise just doesn’t fit into the day. I have learned via various coaches during this challenge that exercise doesn’t have to be done all at once that it can be accumulated throughout the day, which is exactly what I have found fits. I even have my eyes set on a 5K run/walk this summer. No more excuses for not exercising from this girl.

 What do you do to fit exercise into your day?