Making Exercise a Priority

Exercise needs to be a priority in your life*. Unfortunately, there are hundreds of excuses that get in the way of exercising, so why not open up this can of worms and get to the bottom of this crucial topic. Oh come on – it will be fun!

Oh, if this title sounds familiar, I admit that I wrote a very similar blog about a year ago. This is a new and improved version of Exercise Needs to be a Priority. It was time for an upgrade. 😉

Why does exercise need to be a priority?

Virtual city, sweetheart! Honey, it’s been you and your laptop for the past two years! May I just point out how much we accomplished from our screens? I mean really. We did more than we thought we could! Our offices and classrooms showed up right in front of our eyes, as well as many fitness classes. 

At long last! School, work, and the gyms have finally been opening up. 

The question is, as for the gym, will you go? 

Most gyms require a mask to wear while exercising.  Even though many find that it is doable, it’s not for everyone. And if it’s not, what are you going to do about it? I’ll say it once, and I’ll say it again. Exercise needs to be a priority – how will you make that happen? 

What’s on your plate

My, it’s full! The plate carries your job, school, your personal life, and everything and anything in between. Wouldn’t it be great if this plate doesn’t fall to the floor into little tiny weeny pieces? Taking care of your physical health needs to be at the top of the list so that you are able to hold your plate, with pride and strength.

No “and…”,  “If”, or “But…”

You are bigger than your excuses.

You need to place exercise on the same level as brushing your teeth, eating, and sleeping. Crucial activities that are a part of your life. You just do it. Oh yes! Here they come! The tsunami of excuses that are rolling off of your tongue right now. Let’s take a look at the most popular ones, shall we?

I can’t. 

Everyone can move their body somehow. You just have to choose how you want to do it. Check out Andrea Pines (@groovymom_68) who currently teaches Fitness Classes – Pilates and AquaFit – at Prosserman JCC –  @prossermanjcc.  And you can also still find many great workouts to do virtually! @virtualjcc – https://virtualjcc.com/ Check it out! 

Short on time? Can’t get to the gym? Fit in these amazing Exercise Snacks by @TheAkiraConcept.

I don’t want to.

There will be days when you crave to move your body and there will be days when it’s the last thing you want to do.  If there is one thing I have learned is that if you make exercise a habit, it will be seen the same as flossing and brushing your teeth. You just do it by making it a priority. It’s right here in black and white that the positive outcomes of exercise will blow any excuse out of the water.

I’m too tired.

Unless there is a medical reason why you are not able to exercise, throw this excuse out the window. It may seem counterintuitive, according to @williamson_med, the reason why you are tired is that you are not exercising enough. Crazy, but very true.

Where to begin? Let’s begin with this first step: I am giving you full permission to block off time in your calendar – if you don’t have one, please get one now. There are some great examples of time management tools here. And I want you to block off, just like an appointment time, to exercise each day. Yes, each day! Why? So you can take care of YOU and that plate that was mentioned in the first paragraph. No tiny weeny little pieces for you!

Time?

I know how busy you are, but there are 24 hours in a day and even though sleep takes a big chunk out of that time, there is still time for you to take care of your body. Try for 30 minutes. You know you’ve binged watched, scrolled through social media, and played the latest video game WAY beyond that time frame. Just scoop out 30 minutes from one of these activities and elevate your heart rate.

So here we go. Ditch your excuses. Grab on to your reasons to make exercise a priority and go.

One more thing. Here are a few words from the wise and beautiful @groovymom_68, otherwise known as Andrea Pines, Fitness and Pilates Instructor, Trainer, and Motivator. I can actually feel her incredible, positive energy right through my smartphone.

“Yes, it has been a challenging time for all of us… it still is. But no matter what, never forget that YOU MATTER! Your body and mind matter. Take care of yourself, challenge yourself, listen to yourself, try not to judge yourself.  Exercise is a priority. Just show up, whatever showing up means to you. Make it happen. You got this and you can do this. You are so worth it!”

*Please consult with your healthcare provider before beginning any exercise program.