EXERCISE TIP: Prioritise!

Most of us know that exercise is an important part of a healthy lifestyle, yet we find it almost impossible to fit it into our hectic day. You probably know that you are suppose to do at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most, preferably all days, of the week, so why does that never seem to happen? The problem is we all know what we should do, but for some reason, we can’t make common knowledge, common practice.

If you make a list of your top three priorities you will probably have things like career, partner, family or social life within this list. Very few of us would put health above our job, our family or our social life. Think of your Friday night knock off drinks – would you give that up to exercise?

Some of the top excuses (and suggestions to get around) that are used not to exercise include:

• No time - Supposedly none of us have time for anything. Do you know that there are 336 half hours in a week and we only sleep for 105 of these. That leaves us with 231 half hours in a week to fill up with other stuff. I think you could take out at least 7 of those half hours to do 30 minutes of exercise each day.
• Too hot or cold - if it's going to be a hot day, plan your workout in the early morning or late evening. You could also head to the beach and do some swimming! For cold wet weather, grab an aerobics dvd and work out inside or throw on a parker and run in the rain. A little water never hurt anybody.
• Gyms are too expensive - You don't need a gym membership you can do your whole work out from home. Girls you can use canned foods as weights and guys you can use your own body weight. Also local parks are perfect for a workout.
• Nobody to walk with - Have you asked anyone? I'm sure there is at least one person that you know that would love to go walking with you.
• Too tired to exercise - Exercise increases you endorphins and your energy. So the best thing too do when you are feeling a little bit tired - exercise! Of course if you are just plain exhausted have a kip to recharge so your right for your exercise session the following day.
• No willpower - Exercising regularly doesn't take willpower. To achieve anything in life you need to consider it a priority. you have to want it. So change your thinking! Think of exercise as an opportunity (not an inconvenience) for a healthier and more productive life. Once you consider exercise one of your top priorities you will find ways to start to fit it into your life.

So now that you have some answers to the barriers that have been stopping you from exercising, you just need to plan it into your day. Just like you schedule in a meeting or a catch up with a friend, make exercise an appointment in your diary.

For the next month, plan what exercise you plan to do on each day. Do this today, not on the day you are suppose to exercise. If for some reason you miss a session, either try to make it up another day in that month or try to reduce the number of days you miss your exercise on the following month. Just try not to make missing sessions a regular occurrence. Happy training!