Overcoming Exercise Excuses
By Lynn Bode
You’ve told yourself dozens of times that tomorrow you
are going to start exercising. Yet, tomorrow has come
and gone, and you still haven’t starting moving. So,
what’s holding you back? What excuse seems fitting
today?
It’s time to face your excuses head-on so that you can
overcome them and choose to live a
healthier lifestyle.
Here are some of the most common excuses for skipping
exercise along with ways to combat them.
I Don’t Have Time:
This if by far one of the most common excuses used.
But, it still doesn’t hold water. People that use this
excuse are actually saying that exercise is not enough
of a priority to make it on their weekly to-do list.
If you fall into this category, then it’s time to
review your daily priority list. Certainly there is
something less important that you are doing for 20
minutes every day that can be replaced with exercise.
After all, exercise is one of the most important
things you can do for yourself and your family to
ensure that you live a long, full, disease-free life.
I’ve Tried And Failed
In The Past:
It’s true that it can be difficult to get motivated to
try something after you’ve failed before, but isn’t
your health worth another try? If you’ve been
unsuccessful at exercising in the past, then
re-evaluate what went wrong. Did you try to do too
much, too quickly? It’s very common for new exercisers
to be overzealous when starting their workouts and end
up either burning out or getting injured early on. Did
you set unrealistic goals for yourself? Try to stick
with small goals that are truly achievable. For
example, that you will workout three times per week
for the next month.
I Can’t Afford A Gym
Membership:
You don’t have to spend a single minute in a gym in
order to lose weight or get fitter. Just walking
outside is a great place to start. Also, home fitness
equipment has become very affordable and accessible.
For as little as $30 you can buy some great home
equipment that will really challenge your body. A
resistance band and an exercise ball allow you to work
every muscle group and even get a cardiovascular
workout.
I’m Too Fat (or
out-of-shape):
Unless your physician has forbidden exercise, then
it’s very unlikely that this excuse has any validity.
If you are extremely out-of-shape, then you simply
need to start with baby steps. Walking is always a
great place to start. You may have to start with just
five minutes. That’s okay. You can gradually add more
time each week. If walking is not an option, then you
could try some pool exercises. At the very least, you
can start by getting active while sitting. There are
many beneficial strength training exercises you can do
while sitting.
I Don’t Have Any
Exercise Equipment:
Nice try, but it doesn’t require special equipment to
get your heart pumping. Don’t underestimate what you
can do with things that are already in your house. For
example, if you have a flight of stairs in your house
then you’ve got an awesome way to get your heart rate
up through walking or running the stairs. Grab soup
cans or milk jugs filled with sand to immolate
dumbbells for strength training exercises. Try
push-ups and tricep dips and you’ll quickly realize
how hard your body has to work when just using it’s
own weight.
I Don’t Know What
Exercises To Do:
There are literally dozens of ways to learn what
exercises will help you. A great way to ensure your
workouts are most effective is to hire a personal
trainer or an online personal trainer. They can guide
you every step of the way so that you don’t waste any
time doing exercises the wrong way. Also, there are
books, online websites, television shows and videos
that offer loads of advice and tips.
I’m Too Old To Get
Started: It
may sound cliché, but you are never too old to get
started. Everyone can benefit from exercising. Even if
you are a senior citizen you can reap many rewards
from starting an exercise program. Okay, so maybe you
won’t be a marathon runner or a bodybuilder, but
you’ll be able to walk the stairs easier, play with
your grandchildren, improve your balance, improve your
strength and more.
I Just Can’t Get
Motivated:
Don’t view exercise as a lifetime evil. Set small,
short-term goals to help you get started. Start with a
promise to just take the stairs instead of the
elevator, for example. Then you might move onto
scheduling 10 minutes of activity a couple of times
per week. Also, make a list of all the positive
benefits exercising has on your life. Your list might
include giving you more energy, reducing your health
ailments and more. The list should be pretty long.
Post it somewhere that you will see it regularly and
it can serve as a reminder to you as to why you need
to workout.
I Hate Exercising:
You probably think you hate it because you’ve been
stuck doing activities that you don’t enjoy. Many
people still have the old “no pain, no gain” mentality
and think that in order for exercise to be worthwhile
you have to be miserable doing it. This just isn’t
true. Consider things that you really like to do. Do
you prefer competitive situations? Then consider
joining a recreational sports team. Do you enjoy
spending time alone? Maybe Yoga or evening walks are
for you?
I’m Too Tired:
This excuse can create a vicious circle because the
more sedentary you are then the more tired you become.
Of course, the more tired you are then the less
appealing exercise sounds. So, try to nip this in the
bud quickly. Exercise can actually make you feel more
revived then a nap. Regular physical activity
increases your energy level. Plus, exercisers tend to
sleep fall asleep faster and sleep better, which
allows you to truly feel rested every day.
When you find
yourself making an excuse not to exercise, read
through some of the above tips again. And, remind
yourself of all the many benefits of working out:
lower body fat, decreased risk of many diseases,
reduced instances of depression, improved bone
density, reduced risk of injuries and many more.
Lynn Bode, author
and certified personal trainer, offers her services
online through WorkoutsForYou.com.
Workouts For You provides
affordable online exercise programs to help even the
busiest of people lose weight, tone-up, build muscles,
increase stamina and more via the Internet. Let us
guide you one-on-one through your fitness journey.
Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com for
a free sample workout.
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