There are a lot (a LOT) of excuses when it comes to why you’re not exercising: no time, can’t afford it, blah blah blah. This seems to stem from an idea that there are certain things you NEED to be fit, things you NEED in order to move your body.
Actually, the only thing you really need is a body. Which, if you’re reading this, you probably have.
I’m a fan of certain fitness equipment. Bands, balls, kettlebells, dumbbells, and yoga mats all have their place, and if they will help you on your fitness journey, by all means, make sure you have them. But the thing is, even though all of these things are nice, you really don’t need any of them:
A Gym
I love the gym, but even when I didn’t have access to one, I still kept in shape. Walk. Run. Get creative. Even if you’re new to exercise, there are plenty of resources available to you. There are so many workouts on the internet that I once spent 30 minutes just trying to choose one before I went for a run instead. (Tip: be more decisive.)
Equipment
I could write a year’s worth of daily workouts, each one different, with no equipment whatsoever. Not even shoes, if you really want to push me the way I want to push you. Fitness toys are fun, sure, and can offer a lot of effective options. You know what else is effective? Using your own body weight.
Time
Okay, you do need time. But what I’m saying is that you have it. You say you don’t, but you do. The busiest I’ve ever been in my life was probably my junior year of college. Thanks to misguided academic advising, I was rushing to make up some credits so I could still complete my double major in four years. I was heavily involved in the theatre department (one of my majors), so I had rehearsals for main stage shows PLUS rehearsals for class projects. I was a section editor at the student paper. I was regularly getting home after midnight, but I was always up at 5:30 to get to the gym by 6:00 (it’s not very busy then). Yes, I actually fell asleep in class on more than one occasion. (I thought I was being discreet until a classmate said, “I can’t believe you can actually sleep with your head up like that.”) Yes, it was hard at times. But my workouts were not negotiable. When I was a nanny, I did yoga with the kids. I played running games and chased them. I did pushups while they were napping and balanced on one leg while I prepared their dinner. Sneak it in if you have to, but don’t let fitness be something you don’t have time for.
Money
Fitness can get expensive if you want it to: personal trainers, gym memberships, fancy equipment, awesome clothes. All that stuff is great, but it’s not necessary. (See above.) Which means you don’t need a lot of money, either. Adopt a fitness mindset and use it throughout the day when you seek out basic opportunities for fitness: choose the stairs, choose the farthest parking spot, walk a little faster than normal, work out at home. Or, consider that money well-spent on a gym membership you actually use, or a couple of sessions with a trainer so you can learn how to exercise effectively. It’s an investment in yourself, which is the best investment you can make.
If you actually use it, it’s totally worth it. Until then, just move.
Have you ever been stuck, thinking there’s something you need before you can get started on a fitness routine?