No More Excuses! - Say goodbye to the top six reasons for skipping a workout
Been neglecting your exercise goals lately? You’ve probably got a good reason, whether it’s your jam-packed schedule or your disdain for gym culture. Unfortunately, nearly every excuse for skipping a workout is a bad one. According to fitness experts, the ways people rationalize missing their workouts don't hold up under careful consideration. "There’s almost always a way to get around what you perceive as an obstacle". We asked seasoned pros to knock down six common missed-workout excuses. Read on and talk yourself out of falling off the fitness fast track!
Although it’s easy to make excuses not to exercise, remember that there is nothing more important than your health. The longer you wait to get started, the harder it will get!
Excuse # 1: "There aren’t enough hours in the day!"
Kick it to the curb! Who said anything about an hour? Just two or three 45-minute blocks a week is all you need to see a difference in your body. That’s the time you might otherwise spend gabbing on the phone or watching a reality TV show — and exercise is a much more effective way to de-stress from your busy life. But even if you can’t swing a 45-minute workout, you can still fit in exercise and benefit from it. A study at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine found that exercisers who did short-bout (10-minute) workouts had increases in aerobic capacity similar to those of exercisers who did longer sessions (20 to 40 minutes); the quickie exercisers also stuck to their fitness regime more religiously. Take 10 minutes for a brisk walk twice daily, and you’re set.
Excuse # 2: "I can hardly stand up, I’m so exhausted!"
Kick it to the curb! It’s entirely possible that you’re tired because you don’t exercise enough. "Without exercise, you lose strength, making it harder and more tiring to complete your daily tasks". When you first begin working out, you may feel even more tired because your muscles aren’t used to the extra work. But after approximately two weeks you’ll feel peppier, both during your workout and after. And don’t discount the energy spike you’ll get simply from being happier and more confident in your body. Feeling sexy is more energizing than a PowerBar!
Excuse # 3: "I’m not seeing any progress, so what’s the point?"
Kick it to the curb! As with all things in life, patience is a virtue when it comes to exercise. It can take several weeks, or even a couple of months, to see weight loss or improvement in muscle tone, but that doesn’t mean you’re not reaping the benefits of exercise. Focus on the immediate gratification you get from working out: stress relief, a mood boost and a sense of accomplishment. "You could have blown it and given into an excuse, but you didn’t. You should feel proud of that".
Excuse # 4: "I just got out of work. I want to relax!"
Kick it to the curb! Consider this: Before you can get home to kick back, you will probably have to navigate a traffic jam or some form of crowded public transportation. Talk about a bad use of your time and energy! "If you join a gym near your workplace, you can fit in a workout and miss the rush hour mess, too". Exercising after quitting time is also a nice way to mark the end of the day and clear your head. According to the American Council on Exercise, working out can help you feel less anxious — doctors even prescribe it to patients suffering from nervous tension.
Excuse # 5: "I need to have a life!"
Kick it to the curb! Exercise doesn’t have to conflict with your desire for social interactions and strong friendships. Actually, it can help improve your relationships. "Exercise makes you feel good about yourself, which makes you a pleasure to be around". "It also helps relieve stress so that you can better cope with problems that arise." So instead of making plans to meet friends for brunch, get together for a hike. Get your boyfriend or spouse to play tennis in the evenings or visit the gym with you. Ride bikes with your kids on the weekends. Just because an activity is social doesn’t mean it’s not exercise — as long as it’s not all talk and no sweat! Asking friends and family to join you for workout dates will also help you banish other excuses for not exercising; research shows that people are more likely to work out if someone else is counting on them.
Excuse # 6: "Working out is boring!"
Kick it to the curb! Sure, running on the treadmill day in and day out can get tedious. But that’s not your only option. Why not join a sports group — a cycling, running, swimming, rowing or volleyball club? Team activities can help stave off boredom by offering new, creative workouts that you may not be able to come up with on your own, as well as the camaraderie of like-minded folks.
To find an activity club, do a Web search or check with the staff at local sports shops, community pools and YMCAs. |