What’s in your way?

I don’t have enough time, I don’t have enough money, I’m really unfit, I’m too busy, I hate exercise, I’m not a member of a gym, I don’t have enough space, I don’t have enough energy, I don’t have enough self-motivation, I don’t know where to start…the list could go on…

The World Health Organisation (WHO) guidance states that everyone should be take part in at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise (or 75 minutes of vigorous exercise) plus 2 resistance training sessions per week.  This guidance is in place to help to reduce obesity, heart disease, diabetes, depression and ageing, to name but a few, but exercise also helps to improve your mental clarity and memory, increase your energy levels, and improve the quality of your sleep. And, generally speaking, those who exercise regularly also tend to eat a healthier diet…in other words, exercise is absolutely key to our health and well-being!

However, in the UK alone, there are around 20 million people who are classed as inactive and don’t achieve the levels of activity suggested in the WHO guidance. I want to change this statistic!  So, be honest…what is it that is holding YOU back? what are YOUR barriers to exercise? and how can you overcome these barriers so that you don’t become 1 of those 20 million?

Here are some suggestions to help overcome the barriers listed above…and there are plenty more that didn’t make the cut!

Find just 10 minutes per day to exercise – that’s 70 minutes per week! And then build from there

Exercise first thing in the morning – get up a few minutes earlier to fit it into your day…this not only gets it done but will also energise you for the rest of the day

Set yourself mini goals – this might be minutes per day, miles per week or sessions per week – and treat yourself to little rewards when you achieve each goal

Create your own workout timetable – by setting your own timetable you are more likely to stick to it

Increase you NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis)

Find someone to buddy up with, and exercise together – not only does this make it more sociable but you won’t want to let your friend down

Find exercises/classes that you enjoy – that way you’re more likely to keep going

Hire a personal trainer to get you started and give you inspiration and ideas

Aim for 6-8 hours’ sleep per night to give your body, and brain, time to rest and recuperate

Fuel your body well with whole, unprocessed, foods and make sure that you are drinking plenty of water (at least 2 litres per day)

Have a think about your goals – do you want to get stronger? lose weight? put on weight? be able to run further or faster? keep up with your kids? Having a goal will give you something to aim for and will help to motivate you to get moving more

Write down how you think you will feel when you get your body moving more – this might be all the inspiration to get you going