I am sure you can understand me when I say that we all run into roadblocks in our lives that make is challenging to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle. The truth is that we are so busy that making time to exercise regularly can be really difficult for some. Either you’re busy with work, school, or your family – or you face other common obstacles like lack of motivation or feelings of guilt when you consider devoting time to yourself.
The fact of the matter is that although there are all true, in the end they are just excuses that we tell ourselves. With the amount of disease there is an increased concern for people to start healthy living, and more importantly – taking care of our bodies.
Here are three things I recommend to help you overcome those obstacles:
1. Plan your day to allow for time spent exercising. This seems simple, but it is very important. A lot of my clients have told me in the past that unless they plan for daily exercise, they are not likely to do any. The best way for you to do this is make sure that you actually put aside the time to work out as part of your daily routine. It could be at the same time everyday, or different times if your schedule is a little more erratic.
2. Leave the guilt behind. The bottom line is that there is only one person that can take care of your health and it’s YOU! Nobody else is going to do it, so you need to step up and do it for yourself (and your family). Without trying to sound too negative I guess what I am trying to say is that if you don’t take an active approach to improve your life – and your health – than those you are closest with will eventually feel the burden. What do you consider to be a bigger burden…having your friends and family cope with your failing health, or learning to deal with accommodating your workout schedule? I’d say the first – plus, you simply owe it to yourself.
3. Join a group or find a workout buddy. I know that for a lot of people it is hard to go alone, with no one pushing you, encouraging you and making sure you stick to a routine. One thing I always recommend is finding some sort of class to join (like a bootcamp), or find a workout buddy. Maybe you and a family member (or friend) can make a decision to get active together – you’ll be thankful to have someone to keep you company, and as a plus you’ll get to spend some quality time together in a positive environment. If you have at least one person to work out with, they depend on you just as much as you depend on them. You can hold each other accountable and get moving – which will do you both good in the end.!
I guess in conclusion the fact of the matter is that you are the only person that can control where life takes you, and help yourself be able to do the things you want to do. Prioritizing your health does takes planning, hard work, and plenty of motivation – but it’s important to ensure the best quality of life possible.
Of course my recommendation is to consult a physical therapist before starting a plan – especially if you are not currently active. If you’re unsure about what exercises are okay for you to do give us a call and we can do a complete work-up and let you know. We can be reached at 201-585-7300, or you can fill out our contact us form online.