Okay — we totally get it. You’re not a superhero. Sometimes it’s hard to motivate yourself to exercise. It’s hard to get yourself out of that fitness slump because when it comes down to it, there are millions of excuses not to exercise. Too busy, too tired, too bored — we all set our own limitations. But there are some valid reasons to stop making excuses . . . for good.
“I don’t have enough time to workout”
I’m sure you’ve found yourself saying that you just don’t have enough time for exercise. The truth of the matter is, if something is a priority, you will make time for it.
If you’ve got 30 minutes, you’ve got enough time. Instead of spending 30 minutes sitting in front of your television, go to the gym during your favorite TV show and watch on a cardio machine. A 30-minute run is a great way to get cardio in when you don’t have much time to spare, and you don’t have to exercise all at once. Three 10-minute exercise sessions work just about as well as one 30-minute one and can be much easier to fit into your schedule. Break your workout into two 15-minute sessions or three 10-minute sessions and do them throughout the day.
The U.S. Surgeon General recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity activity per week, which may sound intimidating but actually works out to just a little over 20 minutes each day. You have more time than you think!
“I’m too tired to exercise”
Fatigue can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Working out actually gives you more energy. Start slowly, and over time, exercise will increase your energy level while decreasing your fatigue. Once you get moving, your fatigue will likely disappear.
You’re getting the endorphins, the feel-good hormones in your body, to release. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine. For example, the feeling that follows a run or workout is often described as “euphoric.” That feeling, known as a “runner’s high,” can be accompanied by a positive and energizing outlook on life.
“Working out is boring”
Maybe you could have gotten away with this excuse in the past, but times have changed, and when it comes to working out, there is a fun and functional fitness plan for everyone. Do you love to dance? Try Zumba®. Bend like a tree? Try hot yoga. Want to improve your core while bike riding at intense speeds? Try cycling. Participate in an activity you enjoy.
Better yet, find several activities you enjoy so that you’re not doing the same thing over and over. If you’re tired of working out alone, find a workout buddy; dogs are good companions on walks. Joining a gym is a great way to meet new people. Participate in group fitness classes or meet with a qualified personal trainer to revamp your exercise program.
“I have children/I have a baby”
Hockessin Athletic Club offers 2 hours of free childcare. That gives you enough time to workout, then relax for a bit and grab a bite to eat or recovery smoothie in the cafe.
Better yet, make time for the whole family with the Youth Enrichment and Sports (YES) Program. Children are entitled to two classes per week: one from our nine-month programs of dance, martial arts, and tumbling, and one from our block programs of youth sports or youth yoga, which run in 5-8-week sessions.
“I’m too old to exercise”
Revisit your childhood and remember how you used to say you’d never be too old to do anything? You’re still not. Exercise is an ageless activity, and it’s the closest thing we have to the fountain of youth. Exercise may not erase the wrinkles on your skin, but it will increase your energy level, help you lose weight, reduce stress, allow you to live longer and healthier, and renew your confidence. And that’s just for starters. In fact, research shows that exercise is the best medicine we have for helping us age gracefully.
“I have health problems”
You may have a valid reason for not exercising, especially if your doctor has ordered you not to. However, exercise has been shown to aid in the recovery and prevention of many health problems, including heart disease. Talk to your physician and see what kind of exercise program he or she recommends.
No More Excuses!
Excuses provide an easy way to avoid exercising. The faster you work towards eliminating those excuses, the closer you’ll be to living a healthier, more active life. Eventually, exercise won’t be a chore, it will be the reward your body’s been
craving.
