When we talk with people interested in starting an exercise program, they often have reasons why they can’t start, never started, or lacked consistency with exercise in the past.
A top reason most give for not making their health a priority is time.
They lack time because they have to;
-work long hours
-take kids to one of their many activities
-or some other reason where they make everything but themselves the priority.
Before the airplane takes off, you always get the same speech about what to do if the cabin loses pressure and the oxygen masks fall. “Put on your mask first before you help others”. They tell you that because if you’re taken care of, you in turn, can take care of many more people.
The same is true with your health.
Do you find that you keep putting off your health and fitness because work, family, kids, sports, dance classes or piano lessons are getting in the way?
I know what you’re thinking, and I used to think that way too.
“My family comes first!”
“If I don’t work as much as I do, I wouldn’t have any money.”
“I want my kids to be happy. Their happiness makes me happy.”
I get it. I used to think that putting myself first was selfish.
But then someone shared with me, what I’m about to share with you.
Putting yourself first is not selfish. It’s essential. You taking care of your health and fitness over everything else is not selfish. I’m not talking about an addiction to exercise that becomes unhealthy. I’m referring to making better choices with your nutrition for your family and finding a minimum of 2 hours each week to devote to improving your health through exercise.
Exercise will improve your mood, decrease likelihood of getting sick and lower the likelihood of early death from a number of obesity related diseases.
In turn, that results in, a happier parent or friend, less sick time from work, lower insurance costs, and more time to spend with your friends and family.
What is selfish, is not taking care of yourself and becoming a burden to your friends, family or children as you age.