Exercise Makes Sense, But Are You Doing it?

If you want to be smarter and more effective in your life, start doing some regular exercise; aim to get at least three 30 min sessions per week that get the heart rate up. Before beginning any exercise routine, be sure to have a little check up and work within your limitations.

My business requires me to sell high-end services and negotiate deals every day, so I make a point of exercising the mornings before meetings to ensure that I am the sharpest version of myself. I can concentrate longer, my communication is better, I procrastinate less, and I can handle stress more effectively.

I do not think this information is new for those who have ever done any exercise. Exercise undeniably makes you feel good, notice how your mood changes after a session. Feeling good makes you a more effective human; there should not be any objections to that statement.

It would be impossible that somehow exercise gives you access to some new information that was not there before. What is really going on is exercise increases blood flow and oxygen levels which reduces negative stress hormones, positively stimulate your nervous system and flood your body with feel-good hormones called endorphins. So basically cardio exercises clear out the bad and pump in a whole lot of good through the system.

 

Why is regular cardio exercise not apart of everyone’s life?

Poor Time Management

‘I have no time to exercise’ must be the most common excuse most people give.

Okay, so let’s break that down.

Your new exercise routine requires 4 hours per week (assuming travel time and a shower after) that probably gets you three 1 hour sessions per week. Now if you believe the above information, then exercise is going to make you a happier and more productive human. Let’s put a number to that increased effectiveness; I am going to say ( with no real evidence or science to back that up) exercise makes me 10% more effective, 6 minutes better per hour. I actually think the number is more like 20%, particularly for the first 5 hours right after the exercise, but let’s stick with a completely believable 10% increase in effectiveness.

Here comes the math.

I am awake for 112 hours per week; I lost 4 hours due to exercise, which leaves me with 108 waking hours per week. I am now 10% more effective in those hours due to my exercise routine. 10% of 108 hours is approximately 11 hours of increased effectiveness.

So the exercise cost me 4 hours total including travel, exercise and shower time, but it paid me back 11 hours in increased productivity, decreased procrastination and better stress management. My training is giving me a net gain of 7 hours per week.

When you think about it like that, exercise makes the most sense when you are time poor.

 

Physical Exertion

‘I hate exercise and cardio is so hard’ — people might not use this as a reason for not exercising, but you can be sure lots are thinking it.

News flash— ‘no one actually likes exercise’.

It is painful; it’s sweaty, it makes you feel hot and generally uncomfortable.

No one wants to feel any of those things, but put some thought around this, is this one of the underlying reasons that you might not be getting your three sessions per week?

Well if this is the case, the solution here is simple, stop aiming to exercise and focus on feeling good after exercise. The exercise part of the equation will become a lot easier when you focus your mind on the benefits you will receive from exercise. Thinking about the increase brain power, the reduced waistline, improved muscle tone, and the increase in physical energy you will get from exercise.

An old girlfriend taught me this first hand. She loved getting up for aerobics classes on a Saturday morning, while I was never really keen. I remember very clearly her answer when I said, “Do we have to go?” She responded, “Just think about how good you will feel after the class when we are having breakfast together.” Simple stuff but really powerful to get you moving.

 

A Reason Is Not An Excuse

Other common justifications listed below are most likely cover-ups for those first two excuses.

No money

I am going to assume everyone reading this has some sports shoes. Running and walking are two of the greatest cardio exercises you can do and they are free, once you have the sneakers. Three thirty minute runs per week is a great start, and it costs nothing.

Here are a few ideas that might get you into this

1. Run somewhere beautiful
2. Assuming you have a phone, listen to your favourite music
3. Take your dog; they love a good run or walk.
4. Team up with a friend who also needs the exercise.

 

Too Far or No Friends to train with

This one is usually because you have found something you like doing or like doing it with someone. The exercise or person is a long way away.

I completely understand this I have had to change gyms or swimming pools and it always feels strange at first, but that is temporary. Just give yourself two weeks at the new place, make a point of introducing yourself to people, and before you know it, you will be right in the fold at the new place. People and places are going to change, but exercise is the constant so get used to that as the norm.

 

Too Tired

We are all working long hours and exercise obviously does require some effort. You have to get in the habit of doing it first thing in the morning, training after work might be fine through your 20’s, but as the work and financial pressure build with life, nights are going to become harder and harder.

Training in the morning ensures it gets done. After training you are more alert, your metabolism is moving faster, and you are feeling less stressed. You should be taking that peak state into your day, not into your nights. Another great option is a lunchtime session, I have never found this easy but some people swear by it, and I can see how all the benefits of a morning session could apply here.

This blog is certainly not an exhaustive list of excuses people use not to exercise, but let’s make it clear, all the above and even those that have not been mentioned are just ‘excuses’.

Anyone serious about being better at life needs to get serious about regular exercise. If you want to live longer, have more energy, be more efficient, and remain in good shape, (the list is endless), see you in the Gym.