Solutions to the 3 T’s of exercise excuses: time, tired, transportation

These are the three most common excuses people use for not exercising, especially for college students. With our hectic, stressful, and unpredictable schedules, exercise tends to be the one part of our day we choose to cut out to be replaced for more sleep, homework, or fun. Consistent exercise has been proven to increase your energy level, enhance your focus throughout the day, stabilize your appetite, decrease your chance of illness and have an overall feeling of wellness. Try some of my solutions to the three T’s:

Time-

1. Work it at home- Lucky for you last week I posted several upper body, lower body, abdominal and cardio exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home! You don’t need to go to a gym to get a great workout.

2. Drop down and give me 20! Even if you are crunched for time, even 20 minutes can make a difference. If you think about it, 20 minutes is better than none.

3. Make your workout count- Don’t get into the habit of daily marathon workouts. Some days should be longer than others. But use your time wisely. If you need to write it down before you get to the gym then do it, this will cut down on time walking around aimlessly looking lost.

Tired-

1. Once you start, you can’t stop! We’ve all been there, you plan on working out all day, but after a full day of classes it’s the last thing you want to do. The great thing about exercise is 90% of the time if you can just get yourself off the couch, once you start your adrenaline will kick in and before you know it, you’re working out!

2. Eat a snack (a healthy one, that is). You want to choose foods that are high in complex carbs. Complex carbs are foods that are high in fiber, vitamins, and minerals that take longer to digest, keeping you fuller longer and containing less calories. Because your body has to work harder to digest these foods, your body is working harder and therefore gives you more energy. These kinds of foods do not contain artificial sweeteners or refined sugar that create a spike of energy followed by a crash (these are called simple carbs and they are digested quickly and contain little to no essential vitamins and minerals). Examples of good complex carb snacks are whole grain bread or oatmeal, a handful of almonds, an apple, or beans. You can also try drinking a cup of green tea which has natural energizing supplements.

Transportation-

1. You don’t need it! I have given several examples in the Spring Break Slim Down posts for exercises you can do right in your dorm, house or apartment. Don’t trick yourself into thinking you have to go to the gym to get a good workout.

2. WALK! RUN! BIKE! This will get your blood pumping and by the time you’re at the gym you’ve already got your warm-up done! If you have the motivation to get to the gym in the first place, why not make your way of getting there part of your workout? It’s brilliant!

3. Buddy system- Find a workout buddy that has a car. This will not only get you there but it will eliminate the other two T’s at the same time! You have to set a time and you certainly don’t want to be the one to cancel. This can be a chance for you and a friend you don’t get to see much to catch up while encouraging one to achieve their weight loss and/or management goals.