When it comes to working out, people generally fall into one of four categories:
- Enthusiasts who love to exercise.
- Those who dislike it but do it for their health.
- Individuals who detest it and have a multitude of excuses ready.
- Those who also hate exercise but don’t feel guilty about skipping it.
I often wish I could identify with category one or two, and sometimes even envy those in category four who seem unbothered. Unfortunately, I find myself lingering in category three, where I care just enough to feel conflicted.
I genuinely want to exercise. I fantasize about working out and glance at my collection of fitness DVDs featuring perfectly toned individuals, thinking, “Yes! I want to look like that!” Then I grab my phone and indulge in a sweet treat instead.
If you can relate and are running out of justifications for skipping your workout, here are 12 reasons you can borrow:
- The gym equipment looks intimidating. Honestly, those machines remind me of the torturous devices from The Princess Bride. All those levers, weights, and pulleys seem designed to inflict pain.
- I’m lacking workout attire. After having two little ones, my body has undergone a complete transformation. My old clothes just don’t fit, which means I need to shop for new workout gear—an exhausting endeavor with toddlers in tow. But, Target is conveniently located next to the gym…
- I’m perpetually exhausted. Kids have an endless supply of energy that drains me completely. By the end of the day, I barely have enough strength to lift a slice of chocolate cake, let alone do lunges or squats.
- My mornings are already too early. The baby monitor is my alarm, waking me before most people even begin dreaming. After countless nighttime interruptions from teething or bad dreams, there’s no way I’m getting up any earlier than necessary.
- My kids used up all my deodorant to create “art” on the windows. I don’t want to inflict my scent on others, and now I have to deal with cleaning up their mess.
- A post-workout shower feels impossible. I struggle to find time to shower on days I don’t work out. My hygiene is a little questionable at this point.
- I just had a meal, and I’ve heard that exercising on a full stomach is akin to inviting disaster.
- Since I didn’t eat breakfast amidst the morning chaos, I need to grab a snack first. But then I’ll be too stuffed to exercise, and then there’s the kitchen cleanup, and then…
- My hair is always falling into my face. I thought about getting a new haircut, but after browsing Pinterest, I lost four hours of my life!
- I think I might be coming down with something, and I need to save my energy. As a mom, there are no sick days.
- I recently recovered from being ill and don’t want to overexert myself just yet.
- I actually made it to the gym, but there were no parking spots available. However, I did manage to find parking at Target, which means I finally got around to buying those new workout clothes. So overall, I’d call it a win!
If you’re looking for more insights and tips, check out our other blog posts here: Home Insemination Kit, which cover various topics about family planning. Plus, you can find excellent resources for pregnancy and home insemination at Parents.
In summary, the struggle to find time and motivation to exercise as a parent is real. With so many obstacles, it’s no wonder that many of us find ourselves making excuses instead of hitting the gym.