by
Lynn Bode
Owner of www.workoutsforyou.com
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 exercises 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 with 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, exercises 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 is a certified personal trainer specializing
in Internet- based fitness programs. She founded
Workouts For You, which provides affordable
online exercise programs that are custom designed
for each individual. Visit: http://www.workoutsforyou.com
for a free sample workout and to sign-up for
their monthly fitness newsletter. Fitness
professionals improve your business, visit:
http://www.trainerforce.com
