Working Out: 10 Lies I Used to Tell Myself

I have spent my whole life NOT working out. I have perfected the art of making excuses and over the years my weight slowly crawled up and up. I’ve had four years kids and the 45 lbs I gained over 11 years was nothing compared to the 18 lbs I gained in 21 days after I stopped smoking a few months ago. It was THAT weight gain that literally had me talking to myself through ALL THE EXCUSES and making a change.

I am hoping that these 10 lies I used to tell myself about working out (and their hard truths) will hopefully help you take the plunge and get up. You do not want to gain almost 20 lbs in 3 weeks to finally make a change. It feels like you are crawling up from below rock bottom.

10 Lies I Used to Tell Myself About Working Out

I don’t know where to start. This was a big one for me. I think you need to be honest with yourself and think about whether you can hold yourself accountable to yourself or whether you need the support/expertise of a gym membership.

If you need to go to a gym make sure you get one that is either close to home or close to work. See if they offer any group classes that could help guide you through working out. Get a trial if you can and try out a few different gyms before committing to one. Finding the right facility is very important to whether you will be successful in your journey to good health.

If you are like me and felt that you could figure it out on your own there are so many options for even beginners. Fitness Blender offers FREE workout videos that Angela from One Smiley Monkey does all the time. I really enjoy Beach Body (more info here) and the hundreds of videos and programs they offer but it does come with a cost (under $200 for the year with a meal plan, portion control boxes and 1 month of their high-density protein shake- Shakology). There is also Bikini Body Guides with Kayla Itsines that people rave about and I think it is around the same price as Beach Body yearly although you can get a monthly membership as well. Do the free trials see if you like it and commit to learning something new.

I don’t have time. None of us really have time. Somedays you can find me marching in place as I do the dishes, fold the laundry or watch a show. I have committed to 1 hour of intentional walking a day and sometimes I get to walk around my neighbourhood and other times I am in my living room just marching away. Before this commitment, I committed to 1 30-minute workout daily through my Beach Body app. You can commit to as little or as much self-care as you want but commit.

Another option is getting up earlier to work out. I don’t have it in me to do this myself and my kids wake up the moment I do so there is no such thing as alone time in the morning but if you can swing it, try it.

I don’t have the money to get fit. Fitness Blender offers free workouts and some of them you don’t even need equipment. Youtube offers free workout videos. Going for a walk is free. It costs nothing to get healthier if you want it bad enough. Also, if you are low income the YMCA has a subsidy program in place where you only pay a small fee or nothing at all. There are options!

It is going to be hard. Yes, it is. You are going to sweat, swear and work body parts that have not been worked in a long time. Your first workout you will want to quit. You may finish the warm-up and really, really want to call it a day. Don’t give up. Fight through it and get that days workout under your belt. Wear it like a badge of honour. The next time you workout it will be easier, I promise.

I’ve tried to lose weight before and it didn’t work. Just because you didn’t meet your goals last time does not mean you can’t or won’t meet them this time. Try again and make sure you focus on not just working out but nutrition as well. To lose weight you need to burn more calories than you put into your body. Count your calories, macros, whatever it is and keep a food journal if needed.

I can’t get a babysitter. Lot’s of gyms have childcare options that are either included in your membership or a small additional fee. I can’t get a babysitter for my four kids either so I take mine along on jogs and walks. If they don’t want to come along I let them play in the local park as I walk circles around it trying to meet my step goal.

I don’t want to get muscular. Lean muscles are important to your overall health and can be achieved with very light weights. Think 3 and 5 lbs. That is about the size of your purse probably. You will not be turning into Arnold Schwarzenegger by doing light weights but you will be making your body nice and toned. Do your research and find a routine that works with your goals in mind.

I am scared. Are you scared of putting in the work? Failing? Not being able to stick to a new regimen? Maybe you are scared of finally getting healthy for yourself? Of keeping a promise to make yourself a priority. Don’t be scared of starting something new, be scared of staying in the exact same spot you’ve been in, wishing for a different outcome without doing the work.

I am embarrassed. I am embarrassed that I let myself go this much. You hear horror stories of people going to gyms and getting shamed but I was more worried about what my husband, kids and family would think (I know ridiculous). My sister-in-law actually asked me to buy myself a Beach Body membership instead of getting her a birthday gift this year so she could coach me.

The first few times working out at home I was very aware that I was being watched. In hindsight, it was only because new and exciting things were happening but I soon forgot about all of the outside noise because I was focussing on all of the inside noise.

The encouragement. The motivation. The goals. The happiness. I now realize that people seeing me with all of my overweight glory working out no longer embarrasses me but instead it makes me proud. I am being a good example for my kids. Heck, even my mom has purchased a Fitbit and challenges me daily.

I love myself no matter how I look. I do. I love myself the same at 230lb as I did at 190lbs, possibly more because there is more to love. I also recognize that I want to lead a healthier lifestyle and if that means that weight comes off in the process then so be it. I am not giving up on body acceptance, self-love or any other thing that people say to themselves when they love themselves no matter what. My love for myself is actually the fuel for me wanting to love a healthier version of my current self and we should all be open to loving ourselves like that.

That being said I follow some pretty amazing women on Instagram that talk about their health journey often. I will link some of them below so that you can connect, follow and hopefully be inspired to want more from life.

Mayahood
EricaBlogs
MommyGearest
EmmettsABCs
OneSmileyMonkey
YashyYanthi
Debbie_MeMyselfandKids
T_Karbz
elle.lindquist
Mandy_sparkleshinylove
tenillelafontaine
thebirdspapaya
LuxuriousRoxy
mamaatheart

Aneta Alaei

Aneta is a Toronto-based mom of four that loves a good meal, great company, and learning something new. In her free time, you can find her trying to keep yet another plant alive.

Find me on: Web | Twitter/X | Instagram | Facebook