You know you need to exercise, but excuses are always lurking and are something you may use to keep you from doing what you know you need to do. Although listing reasons for not exercising may encourage bad behavior, it can also point out what you may subtly be doing in avoiding exercising. The following are seven terrible reasons for not exercising.
- I cannot find enough time. This excuse is commonly used and seems to have a thread of truth in it. When examined closely, time isn’t really a factor. What is a factor is organization or a lack of it. There are 24 hours in each day and about one third of it should be dedicated for rest. That leaves 16 hours for reaching various levels of productivity — it is during this space when you need to account for your time. Quite easily, you can carve out 20 or 30 minutes out of those 16 hours to exercise. Shuffle your schedule accordingly.
- I hate exercising alone. Yes, for some people exercising by themselves is a real drag and that means they won’t start. Or if they do start, they won’t continue. What’s terrible here is not the person’s inability to exercise by themselves, but they’re not looking for an exercise partner or a Fitness Buddy. An exercise partner will help you stay motivated and enable both of you to keep each other accountable. Clearly, it is a win-win situation, but you need to find a friend, an associate or a family member to exercise with.
- I don’t have the right clothes. Gee, you don’t have to invest in running gear or some other special outfit to exercise. Typically, loose fitting clothing of any kind is the best. Go with shorts if you exercise outdoors and are doing so in warm weather. The proper shoes may be the best investment you make here, so don’t skimp. At the same time, look for bargains by shopping the specials at your favorite retailers.
- I don’t have the right equipment. Clearly, some level of exercise equipment is needed if you work out indoors. The equipment doesn’t have to be expensive — jump rope, bar bells, and a trainer mat, can each save you money. You can also shop for more expensive equipment such as a treadmill by visiting Craigslist. Yes, the number of people who start exercising and quit is astounding. Take advantage of their fire sale prices on equipment to pick up a bargain.
- Gym membership is too expensive. You don’t want to exercise at home nor are you interested in exercising outdoors. That leaves a gym membership and you’re convinced you cannot afford one. Well, that’s a terrible excuse! Due to the proliferation of gyms, you can usually find one priced from $19 per month. That’s the cost of five lattes each month. Further, many gyms have deals, allowing you to try one out for 30 days for just a few dollars explains Fitness 19.
- The weather in my area is hardly cooperative. Yes, we have heard this before — long winters, rainy springs, humid summers, and crisp autumns are enough to discourage some people from exercising. Or at least heading to the gym. You can’t change the weather, but you can change your attitude. If you’re so weather dependent, you won’t get anything done. So, don’t let this excuse hold you back.
- I might get sick or die. Guess what? You’re going to get sick. You’re even going to die! Chances are you’ll die sooner if you don’t exercise then had you begun exercising. This doesn’t mean being reckless in your regimen. It does mean following a carefully planned script and visiting your doctor first, especially important if you are at least 40 or are currently in poor health.
Overcoming the Excuses
Like everything else in life, you can always find a reason for not doing something. Instead, focus on the good reasons, especially where your health is concerned. Indeed, if you remember how exercise can benefit you health wise and mind wise, then you’ll make it a priority and toss the seven excuses to the wayside.
