You wouldn’t workout like that if it wasn’t your job! Yes, someone stated this very declaration to me not too long ago. I didn’t try to argue but then Andrea left me this comment…
Can you do a blog post on how to be self-motivated and confident when working out alone both in and outside of the gym. Please? And thank you.
.
You know I can’t resist a prompt, right!
This is a difficult subject for some of you to receive from me because seemingly it is easy peasy for me to exercise.
I want to try to share with you a few things that will help challenge you to change your mindset.
Nellie, wrote a post at the beginning of the year and one of the keys she mentioned as noted by her pastor was that consistency is mandatory.
Wouldn’t you say that you are consistent in going to your job or working your business? You don’t allow every little thing to interrupt your livelihood because you view the need to have shelter and food on the table as a necessity.
Is your health not a necessity? I am here to tell you that it is!
Did you catch that?
YOUR health IS a NECESSITY! I am not talking about your spouse’s/significant other’s, your kid’s, your parent’s health. I am talking about YOUR health! That means it has to take precedence when planning what’s best for everyone else in your life.
Now, the trick is finding time. People can be very cruel (my own friends even). Often times, people like to throw up in my face that I’m not married or I don’t have kids, WHELP, you can just kiss my arse for lack of a better way to handle you and after you do that go read Nellie’s blog! I can name several people IRL, but she is blogging all about working, mothering, and exercising…moving on.
Finding the time is different for each individual. If you workout on your own, you can pretty much do it whenever you feel like it. It will be much easier on your family if you have a routine that’s uninterrupted.
If you take group fitness classes, there is usually early morning, morning, lunch, & early to late evening options. These choices pretty much work for group fitness and individual workouts.
In sticking with it, you have to be just as firm as if it were your livelihood. If you already know that the kids have soccer in the early evenings, then get your tail up at the break of dawn and workout. If you can afford to squeeze it in at lunch, by all means do it. If you work evening shift, workout out in the morning 9:00ish. If you work overnight, workout whenever it’s best for you.
You get the point! There is ABSOLUTELY 4 to 5, 30 – 55 minute time slots that we all can pick out of 168 hours in a week.
I will admit, you need to be self-motivated to live this lifestyle.
The key as I see it and I always recommend is FINDING WHAT WORKOUTS WORK FOR YOU. We are all created differently and enjoy different forms of physical activities. With all the creativity and trends in fitness, we aren’t hurting for options.
Open your mind to try new things and surely you can find something that is a good fit for you.
Most people will find more than one thing. I encourage you to find multiple forms of physical activities that you enjoy. You won’t get bored and you will never have excuses whether you are pregnant (with an ok to exercise), on a new job, adjusting to new lifestyle (recently divorced, recently married), working odd hours, etc.
There are workouts that can be created using gym equipment, group classes, personal training, online videos, DVDs, print workouts you can follow, machines and equipment for the home.
Invest in something! Gym memberships, Trainer, DVDs, Elliptical, gas to the track and walk, but most importantly, invest in YOUR health!
You will be a much better sister, cousin, mother, daughter, wife, and friend at your best health!
I started teaching classes in Jan 2012; I’ve been working out consistently in some form for years after graduating college. I have a home fitness library and a very small amount of home equipment. Working out for me is a priority and I view it like my livelihood and NO the 20 something I get paid to teach the few classes is not my livelihood 😉 !
Andrea and lovely readers, I hope this helps!
Yours in Healthy, Active, & Prosperous Lifestyles,
Rx Fitness Lady wants to know….
- Do you use your family/job as excuses for not working out?
- If you had to register for fitness classes like you do in college, would that make you more accountable #Research 🙂 ?
- What is your preferred time to workout, what is your secondary time (you know you should have a plan B right 😉 ?
- When is the last time you stretched your fitness brain and tried something different? What was it?
Rx Fitness Lady
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I’m not an early morning person…and the one month hiatus that I took from getting up super early reminded me of that. But for the last 2 years, I made myself into a morning person by getting up at 4 am to work out. Lately, I load up the kids and take them to the gym with me or run while they ride their bikes. I get it in where I can, but only if I plan for it. If I leave it up to chance, it doesn’t happen. At the beginning of the week, I check my schedule, the kids schedule and the gym class schedule…then plan for the week.
If I had to register for a fitness class, I probably wouldn’t…because my schedule is so dynamic…it constantly changes. I would imagine registering for a class reduces some flexibiliy
Hope recently posted…Stinky morning breath…WHY?
I needed to read this today girlie. I have been using my commute and the cold weather as my excuse. Granted, I cannot walk to work when it is almost 0 degrees outside….BUT I sure can workout at home or when I get home from work. The time isn’t what I prefer, but it has to be a priority. Thanks for the kick in the pants this am.
Kimberly (Manifest Yourself) recently posted…Journey to Wellness 1/27
Why when I was reading this I kept saying “Bloop!” in my NeNe voice? LOLOL you hit this right on the head girl!! I hear SO many excuses from everyone, all the time. The same folks that can do everything else in the world–can’t make time for their health!! The worse offenders? The ones that don’t move at all then wait for the magic pill to make it better. I teach saturdays at 8am, folks wanna talk about it too early…saturday is my hair day…all the excuses. Black women need to move more than everyone, because heart disease is a real killer in our community. Man I can go on and on and you know that. haha. Thanks so much for the shoutout, I try to make it happen daily–I got a family I have to be here for!
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Fabulous post Joi! I made a commitment to overall health back in December and you’re right CONSISTENCY is a must! I have the same routine every morning. If something disrupts it (like a child who wakes up earlier than expected), my workout time is affected.
I recently planned out my schedule and picked out a few “make-up” times if I can’t do my early morning workout. It’s always good to have a back-up plan!
Wishing you a lovely week.
xoxo
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Amen! I love this post Joi! So much I want to say… First of all, I totally agree with you that the “I don’t have time” is really just an excuse for “I don’t really want to.” You are right that you definitely need to be committed. My husband uses his job all the time as an excuse not to exercise and I give him a really hard time about it.
Because I don’t belong to a gym, I actually do have to sign up for classes and prepay for them. If I don’t show then I lose my money. It is definitely a motivator to go!
As for a preferred workout time. I know mornings work better for me but sometimes (like right now in the middle of a polar vortex), I just can’t get out of bed so I push snooze and justify that I will workout when I get home. I always do!
Finally, the whole you aren’t married/don’t have kids thing is really annoying. I hate it when people act like their priorities are more important than your priorities. Granted having kids totally changes your ability to have your own time but people still manage to exercise!
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Well said! Mothers (myself included), newlyweds, etc. tend to think that any time apart is wrong. Or maybe you think work comes first etc. But isn’t one hour five days a week auch shorter time period than cutting your life off in your 50s or 60s? I want to see my great grandchildren so that hour a day is actually time well spent. Even though I have to do it at insane hours of the morning.
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First off I don’t like that you speaking about me and I don’t like it cause its the truth. I have every excuse in the book. An associate of mines asked me to go running with her the other day and I shut her down told her I don’t run….but I would walk…catch me around April. She know good and well I will be avoiding her around April. I have got to take my health more seriously I just gotta get the get up and go in me to get up and go
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Ok, I get it!!! You’re right…I know you’re right. I am not always the best about doing my workout. Like on cold days like today. I’m going to get with the program!
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I quickly turn into a rusty, grumpy ‘ole beyotch if I don’t workout. Therefore, in my house, it’s in everyone’s best interests if workout. hehe.
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My preferred time is first thing in the morning – before I see or talk to anyone!!! My back-up is later in the morning but that is not a great option because I usually need to be showered and moving on with the day. The only reason I get up so early every day is to workout – I am in no way a morning person!!!
And, you are right – there shouldn’t be any excuses for us because it is about taking care of ourselves and every single person is busy no matter what their situation is.
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I make excuses TO workout! I find the time no matter what b/c you’re SO right – it is necessary to be healthy! Period. I used to get the same crap when I was a married trainer with zero kids but guess what? I turned into a twin mom who owned her own business and STILL found time to workout. I just made it happen and so can everyone else. *end rant*
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Sigh. I am the queen of the rational excuse! The latest was that I don’t have time to make it to the gym. Well, the ellipical and the stationary bike arrived last week and the hubby set them both up. So…..
Absolutely agreed! Nellie is a fantastic inspiration. Though finding the time has really been one of the hardest things for me. I’ve found that working out during lunch has been the ONLY way I can consistently get in a workout. It’s the most efficient use of my time (since I get to credit 30 minutes of my time to my lunch break), and it’s a great break to get the mind going again for the afternoon. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy…it’s often at the expense of relationship-building with my coworkers, and I get no more than 1 hour to get to the gym, workout, shower, dress and be back in my seat. At home with the kids, though time just flies by so quickly, and before you know it, it’s 9:30pm and I’ve been up for over 17 hours.
You do make a compelling argument to think of it as part of your livelihood. Another inspiring post!
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Yes, it does help! My kids aren’t my excuse (in fact I exercise with them) but I am constantly more worried about them eating well than me. And the exercising is more about thinking of giving them good habits! I need a spa day just for me. Or something!
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If I don’t work out – you don’t want to be around me. Working out is a way of me clearing my head of stupid crap and opening it up so I can focus on far more important things like helping others! 🙂
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I am so with you on this post. Consistency and self-motivation are so important in your health journey. I always tell people I can tell you everything you need to do to stay and get healthy but I can’t force you to do it. Unless you are committed to making the time and putting in the work, it will be fruitless. appreciate your honesty and “real talk.” i pray for the day we get to the point where folks approach their health the way they do work.
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Lovely post, Joi! I have come to appreciate what being healthy means and after seeing so many ugly affects of diabetes in my family, it became a mission for me personally to avoid it by watching what I eat and working out regularly.
Consistency is key, once it became a habit I thought to myself “And why the heck didn’t I do this from ages ago?” 🙂
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Yep! I made time by cutting out things that were just wasting time like being on the computer or watching TV. That was my time to workout out. I use to have the excuse that weekends were tied up with family but on Sundays especially, my husband wasn’t checking for me. lol That’s when I really started to make a change. And I always need to switch up my routine to keep in interesting. Good post! Thanks for the advice.
So true! I just joined a new gym 5 minutes from my house yesterday for this very reason! My other gym was 10 miles away. I found every reason not to go to that gym. Now, I can incorporate exercise into my life before work with ease. An easy routine is exactly what the doctor ordered!
Nice photo!
Working out is not exactly as important as my job, but it is very important to me for doing my job at my best! I’ve worked out at every time of the day, but doing it in the morning has made it easier to be consistent. Most of my martial arts training however, has been in the evening.
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You hit home with me on this one, girl. I make so many excuses not to workout and not to eat healthy. I found this month to be difficult because of Deuce being out of school for New Year’s, MLK, and winter closings. But it was simply a crutch for me not to do things. You are so right. I need to find a way to do things regardless of the interruptions and distractions–because they will always occur. And just because sweets and fatty foods are around, it doesn’t mean that I have to eat them.
I do like a variety of exercises. I want to try a couple but stay consistent for a week to keep on track. I am going to set some goals because that helps me a lot. Thanks for motivating me with this.
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I don’t think I use my job as an excuse. It’s just that I’m exhausted some days after leaving really late and I forgo my workout on those occasions.
If I had to register for fitness classes, it certainly would make me more accountable! Because my gym membership fee is so low, it’s easy to not get worked up if I miss time in the gym,
I prefer to work out in the evenings. Joi, I’ve tried the mornings and I felt like a zombie afterwards! I have no secondary time (hangs head in shame).
Last time I tried something different was when I took up Pilates about four years ago. (hangs head in shame again)
Aight. I’m outta here (facepalm)
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OUCH Joi! Lol!! But seriously, you’d be sooo proud of me. I started off this year eating clean and have incorporated time for exercise! That’s right Joi…exercise! Yayyy me, lol! You’re right, it is a mindset. You know the saying, “if there’s a will, there’s a way”? It’s unfortunate how a person’s mindset changes when they get a health scare. When their health becomes top priority, they’ll FIND time to take care of themselves. I’m at an age where I can’t live like I did in my twenties…taking my health for granted. I must admit, eating clean and exercising has taken me to another level. Thanks for the big ole’ push Joi! Love ya! 🙂
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Joi, me and my friend have this saying that “people find time to do what they really want to do.” For some people, they can’t fathom that working out or eating healthy is important because they aren’t sick in the present time. So perhaps understanding how prevention and doing things to stay healthy before you get sick or have other issues is what is key? I have no idea what goes through people’s minds to be honest. Having a family is just not an excuse! The internet gives you so many ideas to do things right at home. I read one post that shared things you can use inside your house to workout that are just household items…not even any real fitness equipment. I’ve recently been really going in on myself about making sure I stick to doing things healthier because I realize that “it’s too expensive” and “I don’t feel like it” not only affects me but it will also affect my family. My goal is to continue to find ways to be healthy on a budget and with minimal time and continue to share my findings with people on my blog 🙂
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I agree with this entire post wholeheartedly. We are currently stuck at home (via snow), and can’t go to the gym, so when the kids go down for a nap, I found a great cardio workout on Pinterest I’m going to do! It’s all about adapting and getting it in no matter what! My preferred time to work out is early morning (around 8ish), but since of course, I work around that time, I have to settle for after work (around 5ish), when it’s super crowded. Boo!
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PREACH!! And Holla to our two year body pump training anniversary!!! Momma of 3 here and exercise has never been more important to me than it is now !! It is my mental, physical, even spiritual release. I am a better woman, wife, and mom when getting my routine workouts in !! ( ask my hubby!). I have varied my workouts all phases of life ….. College I walked/ran… Young married and working – hit the gym EARLY, having my babies – turned to DVDs and a lot of stroller walking…. And now , instructing classes as well as whatever I can squeeze in ….. Bottom line – do it long enough and then you can’t live without it !!
You better preach Joi! Love this post! I squeeze in exercise whenever I can. Trying to stick to a schedule is sometimes impossible, but I still get my exercise in nevertheless. I love my temple too much not too. You only get one body. Treat it right.
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