As a physician and a mom, I often observe a common divide among individuals when it comes to exercise:
- Those who thrive on physical activity.
- Those who dislike it but do it for their health.
- Those who despise it and create a plethora of excuses.
- Those who not only avoid it but feel no guilt whatsoever.
I sometimes wish I belonged to the first or second group, or even the fourth, where indifference seems liberating. However, I find myself stuck in the third category, battling against my own lack of motivation. I genuinely want to work out; I envision the toned figures on fitness DVDs and think, “That could be me!” Yet, somehow, I end up reaching for a slice of cake instead.
If you resonate with my struggle and are running out of justifications for not getting that workout in, here are 12 reasons you might find familiar:
- The gym equipment feels intimidating. Honestly, many of those machines resemble medieval torture devices. The complex array of weights, pulleys, and levers can be quite daunting.
- I have no suitable workout attire. After giving birth to twins, my body has changed dramatically, and my old clothes no longer fit. The prospect of shopping for new workout gear while managing two toddlers is a challenge—though the gym is conveniently located near Target.
- Exhaustion is real. Children are bundles of energy, and by the end of the day, I struggle to lift a fork, let alone squat or plank.
- I can’t wake up any earlier than I already do. My baby monitor serves as my alarm, waking me up long before most have even entered deep sleep. After countless nighttime disturbances, I refuse to rise any earlier than necessary.
- My kids have used up all my deodorant as part of their art project on the windows. I can’t inflict my natural scent on others, and now I must clean the mess.
- Showering is a luxury; on days without exercise, I barely find time to wash up. (Refer to the deodorant situation above.)
- I just finished eating, and I’ve heard that exercising on a full stomach could lead to dire consequences.
- I skipped breakfast due to a chaotic morning, so now I must eat something before working out—only to discover I’m too full, and then there’s the kitchen cleanup to consider.
- My hair constantly falls into my face. I thought about getting a new hairstyle, but that led me down a Pinterest rabbit hole that consumed hours of my time.
- I suspect I’m coming down with something and need to save my energy. As a mom, I have no sick days to spare.
- I recently recovered from an illness, and I don’t want to overexert myself.
- I actually made it to the gym but found no available parking spots. However, I did find spots at Target across the street, which led to an unplanned shopping trip for new workout clothes. So, I suppose it wasn’t a total loss.
If you want to explore more about the ups and downs of parenting, check out this post on our other blog. It’s a great resource for navigating the intricacies of home insemination.
In summary, balancing a desire for fitness with the realities of parenting can be challenging. From feeling overwhelmed by gym equipment to dealing with everyday distractions, many mothers find themselves in a constant battle to prioritize exercise. While the obstacles are real, understanding and acknowledging them can be the first step toward overcoming them.