Eight Excuses for Not Exercising

Many people would like to start an exercise program to have a well-toned body or feel fitter. A full-time job, projects on the side, a busy social life, or having children might get in the way, though, and they are all excuses for not exercising.

No Time

Your number one excuse for not exercising might be that you have no (or limited) free time. If you were to take an honest look at your schedule, you would have to admit that you do have time, you just don't make use of it. If you don't have to exercise for hours on end, half an hour or even 15 minutes a day can make a difference.

Too Tired

After a hard day's work, nobody feels particularly energetic, but plenty of people go to the gym, go swimming, or get together with others to take part in some type of team sport. If you were to try it, you might find that you feel more energized after sporting than before.

Too Lazy

This is perhaps the most honest excuse for not exercising. If this is the way you're feeling, get up, put on your favorite music and before long you will start moving. Whether you like dancing or stretching, it's all good. The exercises will get your heart rate going, your blood pumping and your muscles warmed up.

Too Painful

Exercises are only painful in the beginning and are usually a sign that you demanded too much of your body. Try to take it easy. Start off with gentle exercises for 10 or 15 minutes and gradually increase the duration and difficulty factor. Once you get used to exercising, there will be no more pain, just satisfaction.

Too Expensive 

Nobody says you have to join a gym. You can exercise at home. Put on music and push the coffee table out of the way, or exercise in the garden where you get fresh air. Exercising at home costs you nothing.

Too Inconvenient

If you take your children to after-hours activities and as such find that it's inconvenient for you to exercise, you're missing an opportunity. While your daughter is at music class, or your son practices sport, use the occasion to exercise right there and then. Find an empty room or go outside, put on headphones and exercise. Don't worry about being seen. Seeing someone exercise might make others want to join.

Too Embarrassed

Maybe you're embarrassed about your body type. There's no need for that. If you exercise at home, nobody sees you. If you go to the gym, you'll soon find out that you're hardly the only one who doesn't have a perfect figure. People come in all kinds of shapes and sizes, but they go to the gym and exercise for the same reason you do: to look better and to get fit.

Too Few Results

Exercising takes perseverance. You can't expect to exercise for a week or two and feel or see results. Ideally, you should exercise three times a week for at least half an hour. Start slowly and gradually increase the rhythm of your exercises. If you're not out of breath and your muscles don't burn, you're not doing it right.

Which Exercises?

If you don't know which exercises are good for you, get a book, a fitness magazine or go online and type 'exercises'. Within no time you'll be able to pick and choose some activities to get fit.

If you think about it, there are no excuses for not exercising. Where there is a will, there is a way.