Although most of us know that exercise is good for us and helps with weight control, few of us are getting as much physical activity as we need. What’s our excuse? Take a closer look at some of the most common excuses for avoiding exercises – and why you shouldn’t let them hold you back.
3 Reasons You’re Not Exercising – And What to Do About It
- “I’m too tired to exercise.” At the end of a long day, the idea of hitting the gym can be exhausting. However, most experts agree that exercising is actually a great way to feel less tired. Still can’t get past the initial afternoon or early-evening slump to get moving? Exercise in the morning before you have a chance to use the ‘too tired’ excuse.
- “I don’t have the money for a gym membership.” While many people enjoy going to the gym or attending fitness classes, you don’t have to spend money to be physically active. Not all exercise options have to be expensive. Walking, as they say, is free. In addition to getting your aerobic activity for free, you can also use your own body weight to do free strength training. Push-ups, pull-ups, sit-ups, lunges, and squats are just a few examples of exercises you can do to build your muscles without stretching your budget.
- “I don’t have time to exercise.” When you make exercise a priority, it’s easier to find time to exercise. You might watch a little less TV or get up thirty minutes early. You could also break up your exercise into smaller chunks of time during the day. For example, take a ten-minute walk in the morning, after lunch, and after dinner. Three ten-minute walks equals thirty minutes of exercise a day.
Remember that the goal of exercise is to move your body. You don’t have to be in a gym or following a standard routine to benefit from exercise. Focus on making physical activity a priority in your life, and you’ll be surprised how easy it is to overcome old excuses.