Yoga & Vitality Blog - No Excuses

Do you ever find yourself saying "I don't have time to brush my teeth"?   Or how about "I have too much going on to breathe today"?    I have never heard those words come out of anyone that I know; that would be ridiculous!   But I regularly hear from people that they don't have time to exercise.  How can that be? 

Exercising your body is just as important as breathing or brushing your teeth.  They are all required for long term health.  Exercise has many benefits, including  increasing cardiovascular health, improving your immune system, and keeping your musculoskeletal system optimal as we age.  It balances our hormones, increases the hormones that help us to feel good, and improves our brain function.   Given all these benefits, what will happen to our bodies and mood if we keep making excuses?

My first paying job, at 15 years old, was an exercise instructor at a fitness studio (anyone remember Elaine Powers?).   Since that time,  exercise has become part of my daily routine, just like brushing my teeth!  I work full time, have been a single mom, teach yoga and used to run a yoga studio. How did I make time?   How can you do it?   Here are just a few of my tips to create a daily exercise habit:

1.  Plan the week ahead.   If you know that your schedule definitely does not allow time for exercise on a particular day, then that becomes your one day a week that you take a break. It is important to rest your body also.

2.  Ask yourself: what am I in the mood to do today?  I am not always in the mood for yoga or weights, but I know that I need to pick something.  Sometimes I pull out the old 1980's "Buns Of Steel"  or some old DVD that I have.  Sometimes I just take a walk.  But, I ALWAYS make time to do something, even if it is only a short period of time.

3.  Have a variety of things available to you:  online classes, YouTube classes, DVD's,  a walking path,  a great playlist of dance music.   If you have these available, then you will remove one more of those excuses.  I have videos for anywhere from 20 minutes to 90 minutes with a variety of exercises, that I can chose according to my mood and how my body is feeling.  Weather is not an issue either, since I can always workout at home.  No more excuses!

4.  Write it down on a calendar and tell a friend about your new routine.  Both of these will help hold you accountable and remind you that this is a priority. 

5.  Many days I DO NOT feel like exercising.   I am tired, overworked, etc.   But, just like brushing my teeth, I do it anyway!  EVERY time I feel better afterwards and am so grateful for the ability to move my body.  I am nicer to my family and have more energy to do the other important things in my life. 

5.  Write down 3 things that you do that are a waste of time . . . facebook scrolling or watching re-runs on TV perhaps?    Use that time to improve your health and vitality through exercise!

So, what is your excuse?   Message me and let me know.  I want to hear from you, so that we can work together to develop your new daily exercise lifestyle!   You can make this change, starting today.   NO EXCUSES!