Ditch Your Dusty Workout Excuses

The first step to fitness? Conquering your can’ts.

- By Sarah Wassner Flynn

You made a personal vow to take better care of yourself this year—but instead of crushing your fitness goals, you’re just crushing your crossword app. Now’s the time to nix the lingering negative thoughts that are getting in the way of your commitment to a healthier life. Here, experts who’ve heard every excuse out there offer some advice to help you shift your thinking. Hear them out—and prepare to get yourself in gear (literally). Repeat after us: You. Can. Do. It.

“I’M TOO STRESSED AND SLAMMED WITH SCHOOL TO WORK OUT AND EAT WELL.”

TAKE ACTION: We get it: You’re busy, babe. But even if your sched’s stacked from here to eternity, you should never ignore your true top priority (hi, that’s you!). The truth is, you can take little steps that add up to big results. Whether it’s packing healthy snacks for school, upping your H2O intake (shoot for up to a gallon a day) or having your bestie take a walk with you after studying, “making small, powerful changes in eating and activity will give you more energy to deal with other areas in your life,” swears wellness coach Kitty Finklea. “After you get one change down, add another easy one. Have fun with it!”

“BUT I’M NOT ATHLETIC!”