The 6 Workout Excuses That We Need to Avoid
(And How to Avoid Them)
No matter who you are, at some point in your life you will make excuses - human nature I guess. Making excuses is our way, as humans, of alleviating feelings of guilt, shame and remorse that we feel towards a certain event. Sounds extreme but this is in fact what we are doing.
Working out is no different since even the most dedicated exercise aficionados have undoubtedly made at least one excuse to get out of their daily routine for even a couple hours. However, the reality is, these excuses usually do more harm than good as it relates to getting fit and staying healthy.
So it’s time to kick those excuses to the curb! Here’s a list of six of the most frequently heard workout excuses that many of us are guilty of and most importantly, how you can avoid them:
“I Don’t Have the Time to Exercise”
This is by far the most commonly heard excuse whenever we try to squirm our way out of sticking to our exercise routines. Likewise, it is quite frankly one of the most ridiculous excuses.
Whether you would like to believe it or not, the truth is, you’re not the only one with a demanding work schedule with mountains of overtime. You are not the only employed parent that has to balance taking care of kids while maintaining a healthy body
We all have numerous tasks to accomplish every day, with several still waiting to be checked on the “to-do-list” at the end of the day. Nevertheless, this should not be an excuse to neglect something as vital as your workout regime.
Even if you have to wake up at the crack of dawn you should never neglect working out. By working out, your body will garner sufficient energy to carry out all subsequent activities on your “to-do-list”. A simple 5 minute intensive workout session may be enough to boost your energy level. Sure, this will be taxing and strenuous at first; however, over time you will get accustomed to it and your body will thank you. Don't forget to think about what you eat before and eat after your workout!
“I’m Simply Too Exhausted”
The simple response to this excuse is: How do you plan to change this? Exercising is undeniably one of the most efficient energy boosters. So, if you’re finding it difficult to perform mundane activities, you need to exercise more. What this means is that over time you will be able to do more throughout your day without feeling as tired and stressed.
Therefore, if you find that you are just simply too exhausted after work, kids and pleasure then it should make perfect sense that you should try squeezing in your workout time before your day really gets started.
“I Don’t Have Money To Exercise”
It should go without saying that gyms are really not for everyone. While gyms can provide an environment that is conducive for exercising, it is not the only place you can go to exercise. Exercise can be free - and in most cases it really is.
Jogging in the park, hiking on your favourite trail or riding your bicycle, are all exceptional workout routines that come without a price.
Find A Cost Effective Solution: Many areas offer free weekly group exercise sessions that may include yoga lessons and group cycling sessions with other residents. These group exercise sessions not only provide a low cost means for you to get in shape but they also help to recreate an environment that is conducive for exercising. You won’t miss the gym!
If your gym fee is not an issue compared to the time it takes to get to the gym, workout and get return home to rest; then the best solution for you may be to workout at home.
Build A Home Made Gym: Maybe you are fortunate enough to have your own personal set of weights, your own treadmill or elliptical trainer - remember, this site is all about ellipticals after all!
If this is the case then you are already ahead of the curve and all you need to do now is take some time out to plan your workouts around the equipment that you have available.
If you do not have your own exercise equipment at home there is no need to despair. There are hundreds of exercises that can be carried out by virtually anyone without the need for any professional workout equipment.
In this day and age, with the internet at your disposal, it is relatively easy to find workout routines that you can do right from the comfort of your home. Simply search “home workout routines” in your search engine and you will have several options to choose from.
If you plan to workout at home on your own it is recommended that you take a little time and do some research to ensure that you are maximizing the potential of your workout regime.
“My Job Is My Workout Session”
Yeah right! This excuse is often heard from individuals who spend majority of their time at work on their feet or doing physical jobs. If you fall into this category then it is probably extremely hard to tell you otherwise because at the end of your work day you probably feel as if you had just completed an 8 hour workout.
Truth be told, unless your job is related to fitness and exercise (i.e. gym instructor, personal trainer, etc.) then what you’re doing at work is not exercising.
The mistake that many of us make when thinking of our job as an actual workout is that we incorrectly label a strenuous task as strenuous exercise. Exercises are specific actions that are meant to target specific areas of the body in an effort to produce desired results. For this reason you are much more likely to get more results and benefits from jogging one mile compared to if you were to cumulatively walk 10 miles while you are on the job
“I Find Working Out To Be Boring”
While it is true that many people actually feel pleasure from working out (or more accurately, after working out); most people choose to exercise for the aesthetic benefits or simply to lead a healthy life.
For this reason most of us try to avoid workout regimes that consist of stints on the treadmill or hours of lifting weights. If you fall into this category, you should seek out activities that you enjoy that will still give you a substantial workout on your target areas.
Hobbies and other pastimes like dancing, playing sports and even gardening are just a few of the ways that you can be sure that you are getting your desired workout and enjoying it too. Spend some time brainstorming, there are sure to be a few things that you enjoy doing that can surely give the gym a run for its money as it relates to exercise potential.
“I’ve Tried in the Past”
Honestly speaking, this should not even be a common excuse, yet time and time again there are numerous individuals who state that they used to exercise regularly ‘but’: working out either proved to be too strenuous; their exercise regimen clashed with their schedule; or they just never got the hang of it, etc.
If you find yourself making this excuse you should first consider a more modest approach to your workout regimen and make realistic objectives. It is also recommended that you keep a record or journal of your workout sessions as you go along. This workout journal will serve as a catalogue that you can look back on to see if you are falling behind with your routine.
Exercising with others can also help you to get back on track. Try to get yourself a workout partner that will not only keep you motivated and working hard, but will also rely on you for the same level of motivation. Group exercise works for many people who struggle to stay motivated.
If you find that you are guilty of making the excuses listed above, one too many times - it’s time to make a change. Tell yourself that for your next scheduled session you will give it your all, putting in 100 percent. Don’t just say this, you should ensure that when the time comes around you actual put in your best performance, leaving no holds barred.
It is worth it in the end - you will feel better physically and get rid of the feelings of guilt!
