Don’t let energy zappers prevent you from getting the exercise that you need! Keep reading and learn how to boost your energy and stay on track.
Don’t let energy zappers prevent you from getting the exercise you need.
Maria, forty-four, is one of my patients who has started doing a 30-minute intense cardio routine every morning before work, in an effort to burn calories and boost her brain. But several days a week, her husband Ben tries to coax her into staying in bed with him and going back to sleep instead of exercising.
Be prepared to deal with people who try to get in the way of your commitment to exercise. Like Maria, your spouse might tempt you to give up your workout in favor of a little extra shut-eye. You might be heading out the door to go to the gym when your kids say they need a ride somewhere NOW. Your boss might put a last-minute project on your desk just as you were about to leave work to go play basketball.
Don’t give in to these people. Slip out of bed quietly so your spouse can go back to sleep. Tell your kids you will give them a ride after you have worked out. And let your boss know you had a prior commitment, but you will work on the new project later that night.
When an energy zapper tries to keep you from exercising, let them know why exercise is important to you, and why it is also beneficial to them.
Arm yourself with responses like these:
- “I’m exercising because it makes me feel good and helps keep me healthy by preventing cravings. If you care about me and my health, you won’t ask me to skip it.”
- “Physical activity puts me in a better mood, which will help our relationship and make me a better partner/friend.”
- “If I go exercise for an hour, I will think much more clearly afterward and will do a better job on this project.”
People aren’t the only energy zappers. There are many other things that will rob you of energy, including:
- Inherited brain disorders
- Infectious causes
- Hormonal issues
- Anemia
- Brain trauma
- Environmental toxins
- Many medications
- Chronic stress
- Untreated past emotional trauma
- Caffeine
- Smoking
- Poor eating habits
- Poor sleep
- Too much alcohol
- Lack of exercise
- Low/erratic blood sugar states from any cause
Things that will boost your energy include:
- Treat the energy robbers described above.
- Get at least seven hours of sleep.
- Eat a brain healthy diet.
- Maintain a level blood sugar.
- Exercise four to five times a week.
- Use stress-reduction techniques.
- Test and optimize hormone levels.
- Meditate.
- Eat low-calorie, high-fiber foods (fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains).
- Drink green tea, which includes theanine.
- Take natural supplements, such as ashwagandha and green tea leaf extract.
Sometimes, your biggest energy zapper can be yourself… and your excuses.
So many of us can come up with a million excuses why we shouldn’t exercise. Even I have days when I have to engage in a full-fledged battle against my excuses to get out the door.
Common Exercise Excuses:
- I’m too tired.
- I’m too busy.
- I’m too fat to go to a gym.
- I’m too old to exercise.
- I’m too stressed out.
- It’s dark out.
- It’s drizzling.
- It’s too cold.
- I don’t know what kind of exercises to do.
- I’m bored with my workout.
- I hate exercising.
- I’m already five minutes late for my aerobics class, I may as well not go at all.
- I’m still sore from yesterday’s workout.
- My back—or knee, foot, arm, shoulder, ankle, toe, finger, or head—hurts.
- I’m not in the mood.
- I get enough exercise around the house.
- I don’t have any exercise equipment.
- The gym is too far away.
- I can’t leave the kids alone.
By now, you may recognize that these thoughts are ANTs that can drain your energy and motivation to exercise. If you find these thoughts creeping into your head, go to Change My Thoughts and use the ANT Therapy Exercise.