There are so many reasons people give as to why they don’t exercise – too expensive, too hard, I’m not fit enough, I’ve got bad knees, I’ve no-one to go with. All valid points – none of them are totally insurmountable but all add to the barriers that might make it harder for people to be active especially if you are not super motivated in the first place.

However, the number one reason that most people give? You’ve guessed it: “I just don’t have the time”.

I’ve heard this time and time again. I’ve said it myself. My friends tell me this. My family tell me this…even my kids (though funnily enough they seem to find time to play on the Xbox or create TikToks).

And this is the real crux of the matter – people find time for the things that they put first. The minority of folk out there that are hyper-motivated to exercise and stay fit, find the time. People who work long hours get up early and go to the gym before work. People squeeze in a run or a quick workout before dinner.

But let’s get real…this is not the average person!!!

I have been guilty of being a bit preachy to family when they told me they they don’t have time. I was a single mum, worked full time, and I could find time to squeeze in a run (admittedly often sacrificing other things and putting myself first sometimes) Surely if I could find time, anyone could, right?

However it is precisely because I had so little free time that I should have understood. Sure everyone has the same amount of time, but not everyone has the same amount of free time. And if you don’t have much free time, there’s only so much you can do. So whilst for me, being active was a top priority – I was motivated to exercise and I (mostly) enjoyed it. But then I didn’t have time for much else sometimes. And people have different priorities, different interests, different passions. Some people choose to cook in their limited spare time, sing, draw, garden…whatever it is that they love and let’s them enjoy life. So actually, yeah…some people just don’t have the time.

Wouldn’t it be great to have an abundance of free time so that even when exercise is not your top priority you still have time to fit it in? But sadly for most people this just isn’t the case. Long working hours, parent duties, caring for others etc – life is busy! (And don’t even get me started on home schooling….count backwards from ten…and breathe) Still, there are things you can do though: being active as a family, going for a walk with friends instead of (or as well as) a pub lunch. Whilst your kids are at activities, can you use that time to fit in activity too?

There are lots of ways to change things up to be active…if people are motivated to do so. So whilst it can be easy to say everyone could find time, you don’t just need time. You need time and the inclination to want to be active. If you don’t have much time and no inclination…it’s probably not going to happen.

This is an area I want to help people with through my personal training. Yes I can deliver workouts, make you sweat, help you tone up and get stronger. But more than anything I want to help people to develop healthy habits that don’t feel like a chore. Anything that you feel is a chore will not last. If you feel like you’re on a diet and depriving yourself, it will not last. If you hate the workouts you are doing, it will not last.

My mission is to help people become happier and healthier and find a balance that works for them – there are ways to build being active into your life gradually that don’t feel like an extra thing to do on your ever growing to do list. And this way, you don’t need to find time to be active, because you’ll be doing it without thinking. It won’t be a choice…it will be a habit and it will stick!