Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, work-at-home mom, or a mom working full time outside of the home, we all face the challenge of making exercise a part of our life.

I’m a busy wife and mom of two young boys, and I face this challenge every week. I’m also an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor, and after a few years of hearing the struggles moms have when it comes to exercise, I began offering personal training sessions and fitness plans for moms through my small business, GroupEx with Geneva.

There are many reasons why moms don’t exercise, and these reasons can be very valid, but there are also many excuses, which are not valid. I would like to address the top 5 excuses I have heard over time, and discuss how I may be able to help make these excuses a thing of the past.

1. I don’t have time.

You don’t have to devote 45-minutes to an hour to every workout. You can get a good workout in 20 to 30 minutes, if you are willing and capable of exercising at a higher intensity. You can also benefit from 10-minute bouts of exercise two to three times in a day, a few days per week. GroupEx with Geneva can show you how to make the most of those precious minutes you have to exercise.

2. I’m too tired.

We are always going to feel tired from time to time. Lack of exercise can actually contribute to the problem. Sometimes, just getting started is all the motivation you need. Tell yourself you are going to workout for 10 minutes, and once you get started, you may discover you have the energy for a full workout after all. The best part? The energy continues for hours afterward!

3. My kids need me/I can’t or don’t want to take time away from my kids.

I currently train a mom in the evenings, when GroupEx does not have childcare. Her kids constantly ask her questions while she’s working out. After several sessions, I told her I admired how she works through the distraction, and then offered an alternate time to meet without kids. She responded by saying: “I take care of my kids all the time. All I have is 30 minutes to workout. I can give 100% to my kids once I’ve had this little bit of time to myself. I need to give myself this half hour.”

I remember her words when the “guilt” sets in… not just for time spent working out, but whenever I take time for myself. Our kids need focused, refreshed, and energetic mommies, and taking the time to exercise can be a way to give our kids what they need.  If you’ve wanted to workout with a trainer but need or want to be with your kids, or you simply dislike taking your kids to a gym play area, GroupEx with Geneva offers quality, in-home childcare during daytime training sessions.

4. It’s too expensive.

You pay for a gym membership, and then never make it to the gym. You purchase an exercise DVD, and after a few weeks you are bored with it, and it sits on a shelf. There are other resources and possibilities besides the gym and DVDs. Check out GroupEx’s Services and Pricing for flexible, affordable options. Another option may be a school district/community center exercise class. You pay per class session, so there is no joining fee or membership fee… you just pay for the class you plan to attend. I teach group fitness for Ankeny Community Education, and many moms participate in these classes. Participants have said that they find it easier to commit to (and pay for) one or two nights per week, instead of paying for a monthly gym membership. Check out Class Descriptions here to see class offerings. There are other locations, such as Waukee, West Des Moines, and Des Moines that also offer community classes.

5. I don’t know where to start.

Many of us have exercise equipment we don’t use. The hand weights and stability ball collect dust, and the treadmill gets lonely. You have good intentions, but maybe excuses #1-3, along with this one are preventing you from starting up again. Maybe you aren’t sure if what you would be doing is correct, so you just don’t do it. GroupEx with Geneva can show you how to maximize the use of the equipment you have, as well as provide you with complete and balanced routines to meet your needs.

If you are ready to leave these excuses behind and take charge of this part of your life, I encourage you to start while you are motivated. I have been in the same situation as many busy moms, and would love to help you discover what that works for you. Be sure to follow me at GroupEx on Facebook and be sure to check out my blog.

Thanks to Geneva, we’re offering ALL our readers an exciting offer and a GIVEAWAY, too!

Discount available for all DMMB readers:

• $32 individual training sessions, minimum purchase of four sessions*
• $40 partner training sessions (train with a friend and save!) minimum purchase of four sessions*

Email your interest to [email protected] by May 31^st, 2013, and receive a discount rate!

*Fitness assessment and childcare are not included in these prices.

Giveaway

• One fitness assessment and two personal training sessions, childcare included

Good luck in your fitness journey! I look forward to hearing from you!

About Geneva:

Geneva Ross has lived in Iowa all of her life. She and her husband Matt, live in Ankeny, along with their two sons, Noah (November 2007), and Evan (April 2010). After numerous miracles surrounding the birth, severe illness, and healing of Evan (born at 24 weeks gestation), she fully surrendered her life to Christ, and strives to focus on what is truly important in this life.

Besides being is a busy wife and mom, Geneva is an ACE Certified Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Instructor. She is passionate about encouraging moms to make fitness a priority in their lives, and after discovering the great variety of needs (and barriers) moms face when it comes to exercise, she created a small business, GroupEx with Geneva. GroupEx provides realistic, affordable fitness solutions for busy moms. You can find out more about Geneva, and view health and fitness tips at her blog, GroupEx With Geneva.

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