Image
Top
Navigation
April 8, 2016

On the myth of “fitness excuses”

If anyone tries to tell you that you’re just “making excuses” for not going to the gym because you tell them you don’t have enough time, please remind them that saying ‘yes’ to anything means saying ‘no’ to something else. As adults we’re all entitled to decide what our priorities are. Of COURSE someone who works in the fitness industry loves doing exercise-y things and might choose to spend an hour exercising over an hour practicing violin or reading to their kid or taking an online course or even just unwinding in front of the TV (which, by the way, is a totally valid way to spend your time if you enjoy it).

If you don’t super love exercise, but want to do some because you know it’s good for your health, that’s great, and it is so okay to decide to do it while multitasking with something you enjoy more (jog while listening to an audiobook, bike ride with your partner, lift weights while watching a movie etc). If you don’t want to spend 10 minutes getting into gym gear, 10 minutes driving to the gym, an hour exercising, 10 minutes showering and changing and another 10 minutes to drive home, you’re not lazy – you just have different priorities. And luckily there are heaps of other options.

Anyone who doesn’t respect your priorities is just trying to impose their priorities on you. Find a way to make things work for you, in a way that’s in line with your priorities and values. It’s not an “either or” situation. You’re not either “full of excuses” or a disciplined machine. (And frankly, who wants to be either?)

You’re an adult. You are the best expert on you. Surround yourself with people who respect that and will help you explore ways to find balance, health and enjoyment in a way that works for you.

Submit a Comment