We Must Reconsider the ‘No Excuses!’ Mentality in Fitness and Exercise

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The other day, I was at the local community center, juggling my toddler and a bag full of gear when a cheerful woman approached me. “Your little one is adorable! And you look fantastic! With free childcare, there are really no excuses to skip the gym, right?” I walked away, perplexed and a bit annoyed. Sure, she meant well, but her comment struck a nerve. No excuses, she said? Absolutely not! I’ve got excuses galore!

Let me share a few of them. First off, laundry is a lost cause. I might manage to wash my child’s clothes, but mine? Forget it! Just getting down 14 flights with a 20-pound toddler strapped to me, plus bottles and bags, it’s practically an Olympic event. And then there’s that split-second when the little one finally drifts off to sleep. I can either throw in a load of laundry or risk the wrath of my neighbors by hogging the machine! Who wants to be the bad parent who leaves a sleeping baby unattended just to switch clothes?

Then there’s the whole full-time job and parenting gig. Is that triple-time? Quadruple-time? My calendar could use a serious revamp. I often have to juggle work responsibilities with my baby in tow, making it tricky to carve out time for those “essential” workouts.

And pumping? Oh, what a joy that has become! It’s a constant battle of plug and unplug, chasing my crawling baby while trying to keep my sanity. I’ve pumped in so many odd places that I could quite possibly do it on a treadmill — but I doubt anyone would sign up for that class!

Showers? A luxury! With a toddler around, they’re rare gems. If I can sneak one in after bedtime, I have to hop in and out before the blissful silence turns into wailing. On mornings when I do get to shower, I have my child on the bath mat surrounded by toys, dodging in and out to prevent any toddler disasters.

Then there’s the delightful task of baby-proofing your home. How does anyone manage to make their living space safe for a tiny human who can turn anything into a potential hazard? It feels like I should just start a new fitness class called “Catch That Baby,” where we chase after our little ones while trying to keep our homes intact.

And don’t even get me started on my dog, who seems to find a way to create chaos at every turn. She might even serve as my excuse to get to the gym — after all, a little cardio while chasing a pup isn’t a bad idea!

Cooking dinner? It’s a fine art that I’m still mastering. I thought Blue Apron would save the day, but it turns out it just means more food waste and occasional chaos in the kitchen while I try to prepare meals. If only they offered childcare with their meal kits!

Reading? Well, that’s another ship I’ve abandoned. I’ve been meaning to catch up on my reading, but it’s tough to find a quiet moment. Maybe I could take my son to the gym childcare and sneak in some reading while they watch him? Now, that’s a plan!

And let’s be real: there are days when all I want to do is curl up in bed with cookie dough ice cream and binge-watch my favorite shows instead of hitting the gym.

Here’s the bottom line: let’s stop the judgment. I admire all the moms who manage to work out with flat tummies, and I respect those who take it easy and just enjoy their time with their little ones. We’re all navigating this crazy journey in our own ways, and it’s high time we embrace that.

So to the “No Excuses!” lady: Yes, I have a mountain of excuses. Sure, I work out sometimes, but they’re real, and they stem from my priority of keeping my brilliant baby safe and happy over getting a flat stomach.

This article was originally published on March 10, 2017.

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Summary:

In a humorous take on the pressures of fitness and parenting, the author shares a personal narrative filled with relatable excuses for not working out. The piece highlights the challenges of juggling childcare, work, and self-care, all while emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding among mothers.