The List: My Excuses & My Motivators

The Excuses:

1. I'm too tired;
2. I'm too busy;
3. I've got work to do;
4. I'll do it tomorrow;
5. It's too late;
6. The boys are with me;
7. I'd rather make cookies.

While all of these excuses are true, they are still excuses. I have been under tremendous stress the better part of 2011, and I really NEED to be exercising for a number of reasons.

I have no real excuse. I live very near beautiful walking paths around several lakes. I have a huge double stroller with which to transport the boys along with me {which is part of the trouble because it's now quite difficult to maneuver with my giant boys riding in it}. And I have a treadmill in my basement {which usually gets used more in the winter months}.

The thing is I don't love to exercise. It doesn't come naturally to me. Exercise is something I must force myself to do. I wish I could be a perky, aerobics, pilates, yoga and spinning loving goddess, but I AM NOT. I do like to walk though for the exercise, for the alone time, for the quiet reflecting time and for the iPod time. I also like the results from walking on a regular basis.

The Motivators:

1. I'll like photos of me better;
2. I'll like my wardrobe better;
3. I'll be ready for winter hibernation, of sorts;
4. I'll have more energy;
5. I won't have the guilt of knowing I should be exercising;
6. I'll be happier with me, in general.

I will feel better mentally and physically if I walk regularly. I know this is true. I am letting my prime outdoor walking time slip by. Soon it will be too cold to walk outside for long periods of time. I must commit to it now when I have 3 months left of almost guaranteed outside walking weather!

It's just a matter of putting it on the schedule and sticking to it. The problem is I'm not very good at sticking to schedules, especially when I have deadlines, which I do. I tend to just sit and work for hours and hours when it's my turn to work. And when it's my turn to watch the boys, then I do things with them, run errands with them and do chores around the house.

Here's my plan: I will walk outside at a lake with the family on the weekends; I will walk on the treadmill on Tuesdays and Thursdays {when it's not my turn to work} while the boys amuse themselves or watch a DVD, whichever one will keep them occupied for 45 minutes. And I will walk outside one or two days out of Monday, Wednesday and Friday {when it is my turn to work}.

Who's with me? What are your excuses? Or what are your motivators? Over and out...

Anna

Comments

[sharon]

I am with you! Lets get walking! Tweet when you walk so I remember to do the same!

[Michelle]

I'm with you!

My problem has been consistency: I exercise faithfully for a few weeks and then slack off. I really want regular exercise to become a non-negotiable part of my routine.

[Heidi]

My excuses are the same as yours but my motivaters have just as strong a voice! You have many excellent walks ahead of you...do it for YOU!
P.S. Love the Sketchers!

[Kelli]

I hear you!! I'm with you. Let's DO this.

[Anna]

Thanks Kelly, Heidi, Sharon and Michelle. I walked on Monday, walked the whole Wal-mart with boys in stroller while shopping for schol supplies on Tues and today plan to walk alone again this afternoon.

Thanks for the comments and support.
Anna

[Nic]

I am excited for you, Anna. The potential return on investment is huge. At least it is for me, when I manage to be consistent. One motivator that has helped me tremendously is to have a workout buddy. That makes every workout a two-for-one. And now that I have established an exercise routine, I'm pretty faithful even without my partner b/c I recognize how much better off I am when I get my workouts in. (Of course I'm saying that from a cozy vacation perch where I'm unlikely to break a sweat . . . ) Anyhoo - walk on!