How To Overcome Excuses For Not Exercising

We all know that regular, good exercise is something that will help us to maintain our health and to get fit. However, it isn’t something that everyone enjoys, and it is often far easier to come up with excuses for not exercising than it is to go out there and actually do it. At least, that’s how it seems! Thinking that you don’t have enough time, that it’s too expensive, that a minor injury means you can’t continue, or that your health isn’t good enough generally to workout may make sense in your head, but when it comes to the reality, donning a pair of tennis shoes and heading out to a gym class, to play sports, or just for a brisk walk around the block can be done by anyone, no matter what. Here are some ways that you can help yourself overcome your excuses and get exercising.

1. The Excuse: You’ve Got No Time

One of the biggest excuses we give ourselves for not exercising is generally that we’re too busy. We work late, then need some time with our family or simply to relax before getting up early to do it all over again. When the weekend comes, we’re too busy again to do any exercising. The truth is, there is always time to exercise because although it’s a great thing if you can spend a fair amount of time doing it, you only really need 30 minutes or so to get your heart rate up and for the exercise to be doing something good for you.

Plus, there are plenty of activities that you do that you could reduce, such as watching TV. Watch one hour less per day, and you can fill that hour with healthy exercise instead. Or perhaps instead of driving to work, you could cycle or even walk. If that isn’t possible, then try parking further away and giving yourself an extra 10 or 15 minutes (or more) to walk from your car to your desk. Always take the stairs instead of the elevator too. It’s these little things that mean you can easily fit exercise into your daily routine, even if you don’t realize that’s what you’re doing.

2. The Excuse: It’s Too Expensive

It’s true that joining a gym where you have to pay a monthly rate, or paying every week for an exercise class can add up, and all those gadgets and pieces of equipment that you might think you need to do a good job when exercising can cost a lot. For those on a tight budget, there are plenty of other things that that money can be used for, which is why exercise can be sidelined – the money just isn’t there.

Although we’re not saying that you should pay for something that you can’t afford or that you’re not comfortable paying for, we are saying that there are lots of ways you can exercise without having to spend much money or even any money at all. A walk will always be free, and if you go from your front door without driving to a scenic walking spot, you won’t even be using any fuel. You can watch exercise routines on YouTube and then copy them at home. You can even jog up and down your stairs or around your yard, boosting your heart rate and sweating (which is a good thing). Many parks have outdoor exercise equipment that is free to use. You don’t have to pay out lots of money unless this is something you can afford and want to do.

3. The Excuse: I Have A Minor Injury

A significant injury or medical condition could well be a good reason not to exercise for a little while, and this is especially true if your doctor has told you to rest for a period of time and not to do anything that might make your condition worse. A small injury that won’t be made worse by exercising or a less severe illness is not a good excuse for not exercising. In fact, if you do exercise when you are feeling a little under the weather, the feelgood hormones and chemicals that are released into your body can make you feel well again, at least in the short term.

When it comes to injuries or physical medical problems, it’s best to check with your doctor, but if they say you can exercise, then there are many things you can do to ensure that you don’t feel any discomfort. From wearing a calf sleeve to improve circulation to wearing a strap to keep your joints more able to do their job, you can exercise, get fit, and help your body to heal at the same time.

If you find that your injury is a little more complicated, such as you have shoulder pain, and it is extremely uncomfortable when exercising, you might find that this is still a reasonable excuse to not do exercise. While it is at the time, if you take the right action, it won’t stop you forever. For example, heading to an orthopedic surgeon shoulder specialist to determine the cause of your pain will set you on the path to resolving the issue. The quicker you find out the cause and deal with any pains or injuries you have, the quicker you can get back to exercising. In the meantime, while you are receiving a diagnosis or treatment and once you have checked with your doctor, why not see if there are certain exercises that you can do that don’t involve the affected area?

4. The Excuse: Exercise Is Boring

Exercise can be boring when you pick the wrong type for your personality. For some, working out in a gym is extremely dull, whereas others love to do this. You might not like playing sports in a team, preferring to work out alone, but other people will want to experience the camaraderie of team sports. The key to enjoying exercise is to find the sport or class that suits you the best. You may need to try a few different ones out to see what you like most, but once you find it you can stick with it.

Exercise can also feel boring when you are not seeing any results. However, it could be that it takes a while for you to see that you have lost weight or that you are fitter and stronger. If you have a goal in mind, keep going and focus on that goal. This will keep you more motivated and keep you more interested in whichever keep fit regime you have chosen.

It can also be a good idea to change your routine every now and then, as this will stop you from getting bored and keep you interested in what you are doing. As long as you keep going and don’t stop, your motivation will be much easier to maintain.