Why You Don't Exercise - Part 3

In this last segment addressing the myriad reasons (or excuses) we creatively conjure up when it comes to taking on a lasting commitment to fitness, we hope to assuage any fears you may have about getting on with it and that you'll finally make exercise a part of your life.

I Have Kids to Care For, You Know

The kids always seem to be a good reason to stay away from fitness. The great news is that you don't have to neglect your family in order to fit exercise into your life. By creating a time for yourself to become stronger, you set an example for your family of good health and you boost your energy to care for your family. Check out your local fitness facilities for those that have childcare. Or, if you'd prefer to stay home, use a video while they're napping, before they wake up or after they go to bed at night. If the kids are a little older, you can involve them in your workouts - or get some kids' videos for them to work out with themselves. Make it a family affair.

I Am Not in the Mood

If you're waiting until "the mood strikes" you or if you are waiting until you are feeling motivated to exercise, you may be sabotaging yourself in a big way. Examine why you aren't feeling motivated and then find ways to increase your motivation. Set achievable goals and keep them before you, rewarding yourself each time to meet a goal. Learn how other people stay motivated - you can read about them in magazines, on the internet, or you can see them on television. Lifestyle changes can be exciting and motivating - even if you don't see instant results in terms of weight loss.

Exercise Hurts Me

Did you whine that exercise hurts? You don't have to do yourself bodily harm in order to be fit. Ease into your exercise routines and don't try to be a one-day-warrior. Start slowly and build up, little by little. By introducing your body to fitness in a slow, easy manner, your body will adapt without excessive pain. Some muscle soreness is a good thing, but overdoing it makes for discouragement and discomfort. Start with small goals so you don't overwhelm yourself mentally or physically. Plan your workouts ahead of time so you're not tempted to skip them. Make exercise a priority. Take your mind off the idea of weight loss and think about overall health and strength. The weight will come off with time.

And Now, The Number One Reason...

Now, the number one reason you don't exercise is usually this one: You just don't have time! Okay, so you have a busy schedule. The fact is that physically inactive people have just as much free time as exercisers do, they just use that time differently. You can make time by scheduling your exercise breaks. If they are longer than 30 minutes and you can only manage 10 or 15 minutes, then break the exercise program up into smaller segments. Get up a little earlier, use 15 minutes of your lunch break to take a brisk walk, go to the gym after work. Keep your gym strip in the car so you don't have to make a trip home to get changed. Keep a calendar of your workouts to keep yourself motivated. Get a buddy and walk or workout with that person. Walk the dog.

There really are no excuses that hold water when it comes to not exercising. We hope you're feeling challenged and inspired and that from today on you will incorporate exercise into your daily life.