Perpetual Poppycock

I thought it might be helpful to share this specific struggle I have. The list of reasons I can’t workout and achieve the goal of improving my fitness is pretty impressive. The perpetual poppycock that backs the decision not to workout is pretty thick. I’m going to air this dirty laundry to show you how easily I can be convinced to make bad choices.

Here are the reasons I can’t workout in no particular order:

• I don’t have time.
• I’m tired.
• It’s only ok to start a new workout routine on Monday. If Monday has passed, I have to wait until next Monday to start.
• I didn’t workout in the morning so there is no point in doing it in the afternoon. Experts say morning workouts are the best.
• I need new shoes. Mine still have plenty of tread but they are a year old.
• I only have a couple of sports bras. That means I can only workout twice before I’d need to do laundry and I might forget.
• I don’t have a gym membership.
• I already ate “bad” today. What’s the point?
• I might injure myself. I don’t want to be hurt and not able to do regular movement.
• I really enjoy a walk but its too cold to walk outside and I don’t have a treadmill. I’ll have to wait for warmer weather.
• It’s too hot outside and I don’t have a treadmill. I’ll have to wait for the colder weather.
• I don’t know what the “best” workout is, so I don’t want to pick the wrong one and be doing pointless work.
• I can’t run.
• My kids are going to distract me or need me while I’m trying to do something for myself and it will anger me.
• I’m a 45-year-old, obese, mom and wife. No one cares what I look like. What’s the point?
• I’ll never achieve the body I want.
• I’m going to have too much loose skin to look good so I should probably stay fat.
• It’s too expensive to go to a class or subscribe to a program.
• I don’t want to have to do this forever. I just want to be fit and thin naturally.
• I once worked out for 6 months straight and only saw a little change. It’s not worth it.
• Other people need me too much right now for me to spend time on myself.
• I don’t feel like it.
• That one program I want to try requires weights and I’d have to buy some or do the program without them. It will never work.
• The woman leading the class always wears pink tights and I don’t look good in pink tights. I can’t go back.

The list gets more and more ridiculous but they are actual thoughts I have that will 100% be effective at sidelining me from my goal. I share this because I want to be clear with myself and give proof that I am standing in my own way, most of the time.

I call all those thoughts perpetual poppycock because not one of the reasons listed is a good enough to not take care of my body by exercising and strength training. They are just silly excuses that are formed in fear and self doubt.

The pictures above are of me doing an early morning workout with the Sweat app. I have really enjoyed the app so far. I got out of my way, ignored the poppycock, and did it.

Do you do this too? Why do our brains give us so much trouble! I am working hard to dodge these false obstacles and make the effort each day to exercise. I’m getting up each day, walking down the hall in my jammies, turning on an app, and exercising. No bra, no shoes, no fancy equipment, no brushing my teeth. This is really a sight to see. I am doing my best to clap back at the loud voices telling me I’m tired and deserve to sleep in. The barking in my brain saying things like, this isn’t going to make a difference, why bother, you will never look like they do, etc. I’m just going to do it anyway.

I’m going to give a little effort, stick to the schedule as much as possible, and see what happens. The worst thing that can happen is I won’t get any more out of shape than I already am, and thats worth the effort.