For most individuals finding the time to exercise can be practically impossible. Between managing the kid’s activities and juggling a hectic work life, the first thing you want to do when you get home is sleep. The truth is you know all the reasons why you should exercise; you’ve been down this road before. However it can be hard to motivate yourself to exercise when there are so many good excuses as to why you should not. When you do end up starting you just can’t seem to get the momentum going so you get discouraged and quit. Developing a routine of exercising for a few minutes daily can help you on your path to a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few reasons you should consider exercising for 15 minutes a day.
By setting a 15 minute workout goal you are giving yourself a target that is achievable, which gives you the motivation to start. In a 24 hour day finding 15 minutes to yourself is possible; it’s just a matter of what you are willing to sacrifice in order to get it. Think about 15 minutes in your day is the about half the time it takes you to watch your favorite 30 minute sitcom. For some of us it’s also the equivalent of the average time spent checking our email or Facebook (be honest!). If exercise is truly something that is important to you, you can find 15 minutes a day to complete it however it will require some sacrifice. When starting your exercise regime set clear, measurable goals like completing 15 push ups or 20 squats or maybe you want to jog for 15 minutes. Whatever it is be clear on what you want to accomplish ahead of time, that way when the time comes you don’t waste time trying to think about what you should be doing. That means that 7 pm (or whenever you have set aside for this goal) you are committed to working out for 15 minutes no matter what comes up!
When you set aside 15 minutes for exercise think about it as a reward to yourself; you deserve to have a body that is healthy. Remember that you only get one body and the way you treat it affects your ability to live to your fullest potential. Too often persons view exercise as a punishment for their poor diet habits or lack of exercise, it’s no wonder you have a hard time exercising. You spent so much time telling yourself that you are imperfect and to pay for the consequences you have to exercise. However this way of thinking discourages you from exercising and prevents you from seeing the small progress you have made. The next time you get thoughts of lethargy and resistance, remember that it is truly a reward to yourself when you exercise. By framing your mind to see exercise as a positive event rather than something to be despised you are changing your views about it and fueling your inner desire to workout.
Exercising for 15 minutes a day doesn’t seem like much at first but boy does it add up!In a week you would have exercised for just under 2 hours which is more than you have ever done. Not only that, but by exercising daily you have created a habit of exercise into your daily routine. Exercising doesn’t seem like work anymore but it almost feels like brushing your teeth; it would be weird if you didn’t do it. Over time you will start to see significant changes not only in your body but also your mental state of mind. You become more positive and feel better able to tackle the challenges of the day. You no longer react to challenges but face them head on. Eventually as you improve you will start pushing yourself a little further to do that extra lap or that extra push up. In no time you will look back and realize how far you have come, but the trick is really to be motivated to just start.
Exercising can often times bring you feelings of guilt and shame; you want to do better but find yourself falling short. Take a minute and remind yourself of why exercise was so important to you in the first place. Then resolve to find a small amount of time each day to exercise. Whether its pushups or jumping jacks, just commit to doing it every day. Exercising is like a muscle and the only way to build it up is by consistent effort and actions. You will feel like giving up and it won’t be easy, but remember this is the reward to yourself. You deserve a life that is healthy and fulfilling and that is reason enough to continue.