Too busy? Too tired? Too broke? Here’s why all of those excuses and more need to stop getting in the way of your fitness.
Too busy? Too tired? Too broke? Here’s why all of those excuses and more need to stop getting in the way of your fitness.
Excuse No. 1: ‘I’m Too Busy.’
Everyone has said at one time or another that they are too busy to exercise. But it’s just a matter of setting priorities. If you want to exercise, it’s just a matter of making the time, whether that means getting up an hour earlier in the morning to go for a brisk walk or taking an hour for lunch and walking with co-workers rather than chatting away in the cafeteria.
Excuse No. 2: ‘Exercise Is Boring.’
Sure, walking on a treadmill every morning for 30 to 60 minutes can be a bit of a snore. So can riding on a stationary bicycle at the gym. But exercise does not have to be boring at all. The key is to find an exercise that you like and with choices as varied as swimming, skiing, tennis, yoga, Zumba, and more, finding a fitness method that works for you should just be a matter of trial and error.
Excuse No. 3: ‘I’m in Too Much Pain.’
Granted, you won’t feel like working out if your muscles are sore or you suffer from joint pain or arthritis. But when done right, exercise can help you manage your pain better. Exercise will strengthen the muscles that support your joints and keep your bones strong and healthy. Low-impact routines such as water aerobics are particularly effective for arthritis because they won’t stress your joints.
Excuse No. 4: ‘Joining the Gym Costs Too Much.’
Gym memberships can get pricey and any amount is too much if you don’t use your membership. But cost shouldn’t be an excuse for not working out. One of the best free things you can do is start a walking routine. You can walk anywhere and the only cost is a comfortable pair of shoes. If walking does not excite you, you can do many other free exercises, like biking, dancing or even gardening or vacuuming. You can also invest in a few simple pieces of at-home exercise equipment and follow workout DVDs or routines you can download from the Internet for free.
Excuse No. 5: ‘I’m Too Fat to Exercise.’
If you dread going to the gym because you are afraid other people will stare, choose a different place to exercise, at least until you have had some weight loss success. And when you combine exercise with a healthy, low-calorie diet, you will see some success. Weight loss is a matter of fewer calories in (eaten) than calories out (burned), and exercise is an important part of the equation. Also, get over worrying about what you look like in gym clothes. You will feel so much better about yourself after you exercise for a few weeks that you will look forward to getting ready for the gym and heading there.
Excuse No. 6: ‘It’s Too Hot’ or ‘It’s Too Cold.’
Extremes in the weather are common excuses for not working out. If it’s too hot or too cold outside, you always have indoor options. Go to the gym, where it’s air-conditioned or heated, or for a walk around the mall, where it’s climate-controlled. If it’s hot when you exercise, be sure to drink enough water to stay hydrated as dehydration can be dangerous.
Excuse No. 7: ‘I Partied Too Much Last Night.’
When you are hungover, it’s tempting to stay in bed all day drinking water but a simple hangover is not a good excuse for failing to exercise. In fact, a little exercise can be just thing to help you feel better. Working out will get blood flowing to your muscles and oxygen to your brain. Just be sure to drink extra fluids. Alcohol is a diuretic and can cause you to urinate more, so drink water to avoid becoming dehydrated.
Excuse No. 8: ‘I’m Too Tired.’
Once you drag yourself to the gym after a long day, you will be surprised that you feel better and more energized and not exhausted. Working out improves muscle strength and boosts endurance. It gets your blood flowing and your cardiovascular system working more efficiently and the more efficient your heart and lungs, the better your blood is able to deliver oxygen and nutrients to your tissues. Also, when you exercise regularly, you sleep better and when you sleep better, you have more energy to meet the day.
