Blasting Away Excuses
By Jeff Galloway, Event and Training Director, BCM
During the “offseason” when there is not a goal event on the calendar, it is easy to slack off. Don’t feel bad about this; even world class athletes have days when they don’t feel like exercising. On days when you feel more stress, your left brain will send you a series of excuses. Since this is your center of logic, all of these make sense. But we don’t have to believe these messages. Once you quickly decide whether there is a medical reason for these blasts, you’ll usually conclude that the left brain is just trying to make you lazy (one of it’s missions).
Thinking ahead and organizing your day will reduce or eliminate most of these excuses. You’ll find pockets of time, more energy, quality time with kids, and more enjoyment in the exertion. If you take time walk or run on these days, you’ll be more productive in everything you do because you have “your time to yourself” to sort things out. Studies show that exercising at the right pace for you will leave you with more vitality and a better attitude.
The following is a list of excuses that most of us hear on a regular basis. For no extra charge, a solution is provided for each. Most of the time, it’s as simple as just getting out there. Remember, you can be the captain of your ship. If you take charge over your schedule and your attitude, you will plan ahead. As you learn to ignore the left brain, and put one foot in front of the other, the endorphins start flowing, and the excuses start to melt away.
I don’t have time to run
Most of the recent US Presidents have been regular runners, as well as most of their vice presidents. Are you busier than the President? You don’t have to work out for 30 minutes straight. You will get the same benefit from your weekday exercise by doing them in pockets of time: 5 minutes here, 10 minutes there. It all gets down to the question “Are you going to take control over the organization of your day or not?” Spend a few minutes in the morning to arrange your schedule. By making time for exercise, you’ll also tend to be more productive and efficient, and will “pay back” the time you spend. Bottom line is that you have the time-seize it and you will have more quality in your life. Your co-workers and loved ones will appreciate this too, because after exercise, you’re nicer to them.
People will talk about me
Many people-especially those on the road--deprive themselves of the fat-burning, the vitality enhancement and the attitude boost of a stress-releasing workout because they are afraid that someone driving by will see them exercising, and judge them in some way. Actually, most people admire and respect those who spend the energy to exercise-whether they look like athletes or not. Besides, it’s not a good idea to let the opinions of unknown people stop you from doing something that can enhance your life.
Exercise makes me tired
If this happens, you are the one responsible. You have almost complete control over this situation. By starting each workout with a good blood sugar level, paced conservatively, with sufficient recovery breaks. You’ll almost always feel better and more energized at the end of a run or walk that is performed at a gentle level of exertion. If you have a bad habit of pushing the pace too much in the beginning, then get control over yourself! As you learn to slow down, you’ll go farther and have more energy at the end-without excessive fatigue.
I don’t have the right build or background
Just go to the finish line of the major marathons and you’ll see an amazing diversity of body types-including those who weigh more than 300 pounds. Virtually every one of us can walk and receive great benefits. When we walk or run regularly, our movements become more and more efficient and natural.
I need to spend some time with my kids
There are a number of exercise strollers that allow parents to walk/run with their kids. My wife Barbara and I logged thousands of miles with our first child, Brennan, in single “baby jogger”. We got a twin carrier after Westin was born. With the right pacing, you can talk to the kids about anything, and they can’t run or crawl away. Sorry, they don’t have a model for teenagers. Because we were with the kid(s) in close company, we found that we talked more, and got more feedback than when doing other activities together. By bringing them along with you on a run, you become a great role model: in spite of being busy, you take time to exercise and spend time together.
You can also walk or run around a playground as you watch them play or around a track while they play on the infield. Treadmills are increasingly being used by busy moms/dads who can walk or run as the child naps nearby.
I’ve got too much work to do
There will always be work to do. Several surveys have found that exercisers get more work done on days they work out. Many studies show that exercise (when paced correctly) can leave you with more energy and a better attitude while you prepare to manage your day. All of this comes with an erasure of stress. Hundreds of exercisers have told me that the gentle early morning exertion provides needed time to organize the day, while infusing mental energy. Others say that the after-work “workout” relieved stress, secured some of the mental loose ends from the office, and allowed for a transition to home life. Studies show that those who exercise regularly, get more work done each day.
I don’t have the energy to exercise today
Most low-energy folks I’ve worked with don’t eat enough times a day. By eating about every 2-3 hours, you can feel more energized, more of the time. Even if you aren’t eating well during the day, you can overcome low blood sugar by having a “booster” snack about an hour before a workout. Caffeine, taken about an hour before exercise, helps (as long as you don’t have caffeine sensitivities). The dynamic food duo that I use is an energy bar and a cup of coffee. Just carry some convenient food with you at all times.
I don’t have my walking shoes and clothes with me
Load a plastic bag with a pair of running shoes, a top for both winter and summer, shorts and warm-up pants, towel, deodorant, and anything else you would need for exercise and clean up. Put the bag next to the front door, or in the trunk of your car, etc. When packing for a trip, insert the bag into your suitcase. Then, the next time you are in your hotel room, or waiting to pick up your child from soccer, etc, you can do a quick change and make some loops around the field, school, hotel etc.
By having a strategy, you can take charge over your day, and your exercise frequency.
Note: Olympian Jeff Galloway has helped over a million runners and walkers acheive their goals through this retreats, running schools, training programs, ecoaching, books, and individual consultations. Subscribe to his free newsletter or blog at www.jeffgalloway.com.
