1. Financial
2. Time
3. Energy
4. Fear of the unknown
Well, I am going to help shed some light as to why it is possible to exercise.. even against the odds!
Barrier #1: Finances
I get it, people don't want to spend money on a gym membership or purchasing that treadmill. Well, guess what! You don't need a gym membership or to own a treadmill to get into shape! Look around your home or apartment complex, what do you have for resources? You are already paying your monthly rent or mortgage, so use it! Instead of taking the elevator or trudging up the stairs, start running up the stairs! Yes, I said running. At first it will be difficult, but you will soon be flying up that flight of stairs without any trouble!
You don't need to go purchase a set of 5 lb - 10 lb dumbbells, look around your home. What could you use? That laundry detergent bottle will work just fine! If you are just beginning and have no muscles, use those soup cans! Want to lift something while doing squats? Well, use your hamper before or after you fold laundry and (while using proper technique of course!) use the hamper as your weight! Or even toss your laundry detergent bottles in there. As time goes you can put some sand into your now empty detergent bottle & voila! Weights!
Pushups are also a great option, same with tricep dips on the edge of your chair.
Perhaps you could cut out that daily Starbucks coffee?? As great as it tastes, imagine saving $5/day and then being able to put that towards either a gym membership or even an at home fitness video!
There are so many options! Don't let finances be the one holding you back from the fitness you desire.
Barrier #2: Time
I get where time can be a hard one - I have 3 kids between the ages 2-4. This house gets crazy busy. My husband is a farmer, truck owner & who knows what else he will come up by the time I am finished writing this! Life in general is busy. But think about this: if you watch TV at night, how long do you sit there at watch it? What do you do during commercials? Why not do some squats, wall sits, pushups, tricep dips, crunches or anything you can come up with during the commercials? Every little bit counts!
Do you need to exercise a full 60 minutes to see a benefit? No. Is 60 minutes recommended for maximal results? Yes. But with the 30 minute at home programs that are out there now, it makes it even more possible! 30 minutes makes up 2% of your day - can you make that work? When you look at it that way... I like to think so! Even 60 minutes still takes only 4% of your day, which in reality is not that much!
Time was one of my biggest problem areas. But I put it in my head that I wanted this and I would find any means or snippet of time to through something into my day. I even started doing lunges, squats and wall/counter pushups while I was waiting for my supper to cook!
Barrier #3: Energy
I love sleep. When I could finally sit down, I loved that too! My energy was zapped but I wasn't doing anything. Then I changed my mindset (rather forcefully I might add) and decided I was going to get up earlier so I could get my workout in for the day & stop making excuses. First week - rough. Second week - not as bad. Third week - ok we're getting there, I can do this. But guess what I found out? I had more energy! Those crazy people that keep telling you that if you exercise you will have more energy are actually right! I didn't need that cup of coffee to get me going in the morning! My blood got pumping and I actually felt invigorated for the day!
Barrier #4: Fear of the Unknown
I hear this one a lot. "I don't know where to start!" or "I don't know what to even do!" My personal favorite: "I don't want to look like a muscle man!!" This is when a coach (or even a workout buddy!) comes in handy. Someone that is going to help you get started, help guide you through your journey. Be your listening ear when you are frustrated and celebrate with you when you are celebrating no longer being in your "fat" pants. And as for the muscle man - the only way your are going to look like those professional body builders is if you train like one. If you are training to be fit and want to burn off some fat, muscle mass will replace the fat mass BUT your clothes will fit better and you will feel like a million bucks!
But there is one thing that must ring true throughout one's fitness journey it is this:
This is probably one of the most true statements out there. You need to have a mindset that says - YES I want this and I will NOT make excuses. I will find some way to make it work and get what I want.
