Excuses, Excuses

Helen Penny, personal trainer at City Gym, have heard all manner of excuses over the years. Here’s she presents her favourites and how to combat them with a change in your thinking.

"I don’t have time to exercise."

If you can find an hour to watch your favourite TV show,  read a magazine, check  your Facebook account or even catch up with friends you do have time – it’s just a matter of priorities. We’ve all got busy lives so a little time management is simply what’s required.

While I acknowledge some of these things are an important part of a balanced fulfilled life, so is exercise. If you still genuinely feel you are time-poor, why not multitask? Read that work or study document while you’re on the treadmill or X trainer, catch up with a friend and do a class or workout together then go for a coffee or healthy meal. All City Gym cardio machines have a TV so why not watch the news or your favourite TV show while burning a few extra calories? Get the idea? Fact: people who exercise have more time and energy than their couch potato colleagues.

"I don’t have time to prepare food. I’m only cooking for one. I can’t cook!"

Okay, maybe preparing healthy food needs a little extra time to start with but it’s just a matter of learning a few new tricks and having fresh ingredients on hand. (Tip: if you hate grocery shopping try shopping on line. And always make a list.)

Steam or stir-fry a few vegies (you can even buy them already chopped) and grill or BBQ a piece of meat, chicken or fish. Easy! Vegies can cook while you have a shower, the right piece of protein will only take minutes to cook. Or how long does it take to make a salad, toss it in a little dressing and open a tin of salmon? Not very long at all.

If your cooking for one just make what you need (avoids over-eating) or if you prefer, cook a few meals at once that can be frozen or kept in the fridge. (Tip: If cooking multiple meals serve them into containers before you sit down to eat.) Fact: Eating fresh healthy food increases energy and speeds fat loss.

"I’m too tired exercise!"

The only way to get over this one is just do it! Even if it is true you are feeling too tired to exercise, it is also true that a regular exercise routine will improve your overall energy levels in a very short period of time. Sure if you’ve been training hard all week maybe a light workout or yoga session is more appropriate. (Tip: If you’re too tired after work try getting up a little earlier in the morning. Sure it’s hard to start with but you’ll soon get used to it and reap the benefits all day.) Fact: Regular exercise will also improve the quality of your sleep, enhance your mood and keep your brain more alert and active.

City Gym, 107-113 Crown Street, East Sydney, (02) 9360 6247. Go to www.citygym.com.au