This week I was talking about exercising with a friend, who's the same age as me, in a live-in relationship but no kids (a great game-changer!). I was telling her about my CykleJab Body Transformation Program, my fitness routine, and what I have accomplished since I joined the challenge (-8.8 pounds in 5 weeks!). Her comment was “Oh gosh, you have 2 kids and a full time job...I am ashamed to say that I don’t have time to go to the gym!” Truth is…married or single, with kids or child-free, it’s is far too easy to come up with reasons - excuses - for not exercising.
As parents, our best excuse is probably “I have kids, I am too busy”….but hold on a second…On one hand, we hope to teach our kids the importance of being physically active. We sign them up for classes or sports teams. We take them to playgrounds and other active spots. We provide them active toys, such as balls, trampolines and jump ropes. On the other hand, between all of the responsibilities we have - family, household, work, community - we tend to forget to be a fitness role model to our kids and become really good at making excuses not to exercise. Isn’t it funny?
So here are 5 incredibly reasonable excuses for busy parents not to work out, and simple solutions to overcome those excuses:
EXCUSE #1: I can’t find the time.
SOLUTION: Stop trying to find time to work out. Make time instead! Treat your training schedule like you would an important business meeting or a doctor appointment. When you add a workout to your calendar, it becomes as much a part of your day as going to work, and you show up. In this respect, CykleJab gives us a big help! The gym is open 7 days a week, 7am-7.30pm Monday and Wednesday, 9am-7.30pm Tuesday and Thursday, 9am-6.30pm Friday, 9.45am-12pm on Saturday and 11am-12pm Sunday. Plus, their high-intensity class are super efficient for those of us who want results but are strapped for time. At CykleJab we can get in, work out for 50 minutes - #theultimate50minutes - , and go back to our kids, work, chores, etc in less than one hour.
EXCUSE #2: Exercising is boring.
SOLUTION: Find your calling, fun exercises that you enjoy! Exercising doesn't necessarily mean going to the gym, and lifting those same old dumbbells repeatedly, every day of every week. For example, at CykleJab classes change every single day, meaning you’ll never do the exact same workout twice in the same week. Each session alternates between cykling on leaning bikes, traditional boxing with aqua bags and strength training moves like push-ups and ab exercises. 20 minutes cykling + 20 minutes boxing + 10 minutes trainer’s choice.
EXCUSE #3: The gym is too expensive.
SOLUTION: Instead of spending money in specialty coffee beverages, clothes you don't need or fast food drive-through dinners, consider investing money on yourself. Focus on the Return on Investment and ask yourself “Is the membership fee worth improving my quality of life?” Yes! As anything in life, as long as you take advantage of the gym, I think the membership money is well spent. If you never go, it’s a huge waste, no matter how cheap it is. To join CykleJab's 8 week ultimate body transformation challenge is $499 (just $8/day) and you receive a package that includes: 32 classes in 60 days, one HR Monitor/Calorie Counter, one pair of boxing gloves, one pair of boxing wraps, 8 week of nutritional guideline, one on one initial assessment with certified personal trainer, access to food delivery service at a discount.
EXCUSE #4: I am too tired.
SOLUTION: Exercise. It can do a world of good to boost your energy. Studies have shown time and time again that exercise helps us feel more energetic and alert over time. Among other things, it tends to increase our endorphin levels, it boosts our cardiovascular health, and allows you to get a better night's rest. Just do it.
EXCUSE #5: I’m too old/fat/uncoordinated/embarrassed to exercise.
SOLUTION: Remember that everyone was new at one time. CykleJab offers a 1 week free trial so that you can understand how to use their equipment and set up a routine to get results and do it safely. Their bikes literally move side-to-side with you - It took me a little time to adjust and get comfortable, but once I found my balance, it ended up being an awesome workout.
Want to learn more about CykleJab? Visit their website here.
Missed the first 4 weeks of my “Eight Weeks Back to Me" Series? Find them here:
