Overcoming Fitness Excuses

I’ve briefly touched on fitness in the last few months here at ABA, but to be honest, I kept making excuses and just continued to not make exercise a priority in my life. With encouragement from the hubby and self-talk to myself, I’ve finally worked towards overcoming fitness excuses and made it through a second week of regular workouts. 

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None of us are perfect, this we all know, but there are definitely things available to us in our life that can help make things better. One of those things is working out. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized maintaining an active lifestyle is a huge key to happiness and health for both my own good, as well as for those around me.

Not only does staying active keep me healthy, but also happy. Lest not forget, Elle Woods famous quote, “Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy.”

As I previously mentioned, I just made it through my second week of regular workouts. But you might want to know how overcoming fitness excuses happened. Well here we go, let’s jump right into it, #vulnerable!

– Find a support system 

Whether it’s a friend or your significant other, find someone who can encourage you, keeps you accountable and help to overcome any sort of excuses you might be making. My hubby has done a great job of being my cheerleader, and it’s meant so much. His words of encouragement definitely have kept me consistent these last two weeks. He keeps me accountable but so does my friend, Lauren, who has been meeting me at the class. I’ve realized, that I am so much more motivated, and accountable, when there’s someone else working out with me! It’s a small but significant part to overcoming fitness excuses on my end. Plus, you guys too! Writing this post keeps me accountable!

– Figure out a schedule and stick to it

I’ve never been great at just working out, freestyle, at the gym. I love workout classes and have found a few mainstays. Our gym puts out a calendar of classes and the type-A in me, circled every one I was interested in and have since figured out a Tuesday/Thursday class schedule that’s worked for me in these initial days back. Knowing that I’ll be spending an hour working out, and doing good for me personal health and well-being, has  encouraged me to stick with it and just make the workouts part of my weekly routine.

– Treat yourself to a cute outfit, or a few, to not only feel good but look good 

#Treatyoself, because working out is so much more fun when you have some fun outfits to wear or a cute pair of running shoes that you’re excited to lace-up. I actually just ordered a new pair of , as a treat to myself for making it through two weeks of dedicated workouts. Since I’m doing a lot of circuits and some high-intensity classes, I love opting for leggings during my workouts has quickly become a go-to brand for flattering and budget conscious workout gear. You can also see a darling workout outfit from last month in this post.

– Set attainable goals 

I think I can speak for many in saying that setting unattainable goals gets us nowhere. For me, overcoming fitness excuses has included setting attainable goals such as just making it to class, giving my all for the hour and taking care of my body (eating better and drinking less alcohol) throughout these last two weeks. I’m not measuring my goals via a scale, for the first time in ages! Y’all it feels so nice to not be dictated by a number. For me, getting back into a healthy routine, is just knowing that I feel better, my body looks better and my endurance level is higher. The former are all attainable goals, and I look forward to checking back in on them in the coming months.

What sorts of goals do you set when it comes to working out? Do you have any tips for overcoming fitness excuses? Let me know in the comments!

*Lauren Rathburn photography