Small Steps to Health

Common Exercise Excuses, Part 1

January 18th, 2008 by asithi · No Comments

Tagged Fitness, Motivation

Do you have an excuse for why you cannot exercise? Do you find yourself using any of the excuses below?

1. I will only exercise if I have to.
For people that make this kind of statement, what are you waiting for? After a breakup? After a heart attack? After you gained 50 pounds? Why does it take something extreme to motivate you to improve your health? Doesn’t it make more sense to prepare your body before these painful events so you will have the strength and energy to deal with them?

2. I don’t have time.
How many hours of TV do you watch a night? I tell people that I do not watch much TV. I do not know who the American Idol contestants are or the latest episode on Grey’s Anatomy, but I still manage to watch 6-7 hours of TV a week. Sometimes on weekends, I would watch a couple of movies from Netflix. That’s another 3-4 hours of TV time. That is a total of 11 hours a week. That is hardly anything compared to the amount of TV watching my friends and family doing.

It is all about priorities. People do not want to exercise because it is uncomfortable and sweaty. It requires effort. The TV does not require effort. Life should not be like this. It is the things that require effort that will give you the best rewards. Make your effort worth it. Unlike other activities, the more time you put into exercise, the more it gives back.

3. My family is fat, so I am destined to be fat.
Your ancestors in the 16^th century die at the age of 40. That does not mean you are genetically destined to die at such a young age now. We have at our disposal the knowledge to improve our bodies, slow down the aging, and be healthier. Use that knowledge. Don’t use your genes as an excuse to stay still.

However, it is true that it is very difficult to get in shape when your family and friends are constantly pushing food at you. The best thing you can do about that is to have a plan to help you stay on track. See my game plan for socializing and food. Sometimes my plan works and sometimes it does not. I don’t sweat it, but I make an effort to make sure to follow my plan. I don’t let one day of overeating get out of hand and follow it with more days of overeating.

4. I will never look as good as Gisele.
Nothing kills motivation faster than to a see slender, beautiful blonde bopping to their mp3 player next to you at the gym (for women that is. Men might find that highly motivating to stay on the machine next to her longer). Seriously though, how do you know what was her starting point? Maybe she was overweight at some point too? Weight issues are universal in America. She probably has her insecurity as well. Sure you might never look like her, but you sure can be the best you. When you focus on others, you generate envy. Only by developing tunnel vision and a focus inward will you be able to concentrate on being the best you.

5. I want to feel better, but it takes so long!
If you are looking for instant results, than you are looking for a miracle not a lifestyle change. And the miracle is not going to last that long either once you go back to your old habits. Stay with it, you will see results eventually. It took you years to put on the weight, what makes you think you can get rid of it all in a few weeks? See the tips my husband gave me for boosting my metabolism.

To be continue………..

Until next time and thanks for stopping by.

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