6 reasons to start exercising – even if you “don’t have time”

“I’d love to exercise, but I don’t have time.”

Sound familiar? Then the following text is written just for you.

Sure, sometimes life doesn’t allow for all the physical activity we want, but most of the time, our lack of exercise routines is based on such skewed priorities that even the Leaning Tower of Pisa could be considered vertically perfect in comparison.

Disclaimer! Before all the tired parents of young children, stressed workaholics, and radical lactic acid opponents start rolling their eyes, one thing needs to be clarified. Of course, we have to start from our actual circumstances, which should never be classified as a failure when we miss a workout. Health is a marathon, not a short-term quick fix.

Let’s keep it simple. All people are allocated the same amount of time, 24 hours. Then the cycle starts again. So, how is it that some people manage to free up enough time to sculpt their bodies better than others?

Simple, the difference lies in time-efficient priorities and ingrained behaviors.

Friction breeds freedom

One thing everyone can agree on, from the exercise hater to the endorphin junkie, is that physical activity can never trump the couch and the streaming giants’ offerings. Unfair, but true.

However, by resisting the classic sin of laziness, to meet breathless heart rates and rushing lactic acid, your body’s reward system will thank you significantly longer than the season finale of The Last of Us. This is true both in the moment and in the long run.

This is how much the risk of disease is reduced

Most people already know that physical activity contributes to a host of positive qualities. But the fact is that regular exercise can also provide benefits that will blow your mind.

Brain researchers, sports professors, and medical specialists unanimously agree that the minutes we devote to physical activity shape both our bodies and brains in ways that very few external stimuli can.

Does it sound too good to be true?

The figures below are taken from some of the world’s leading research organizations.

Regular physical activity reduces the risk of:

• Cardiovascular disease, one of the most common causes of death in Sweden, by up to 50%.
• Type 2 diabetes, a widespread disease that approximately 500,000 Swedes are estimated to be at risk of, by up to 40%
• Stroke by 11-22%
• Breast cancer by 20-30%
• Parkinson’s disease, with 20-30%
• Depression and anxiety, with at least 16%

So, in addition to all the aesthetic and functional benefits, the research speaks for itself. Exercise will, in all likelihood, contribute to both a longer and healthier life. These are aspects that will hopefully make it easier to pack your gym bag in the future.

But what about the lack of time?

Don’t despair, let’s instead break down the hours of the day into smaller components.

The average Swede sleeps seven hours per night, works a classic nine-hour day, and spends around 60-90 minutes on various logistical tasks.

The daily calculation also includes 3.5 hours of socializing, 90 minutes of Netflix, and 1.5 hours of—you guessed it—exercise. Every day.

*Weight loss is individual, so we cannot guarantee how much/how quickly you will reach your goal. The important thing is all the health benefits. We distance ourselves from unhealthy ideals and crash diets, and do not recommend calorie counting if you are underweight, ill, or pregnant.