Top 5 Excuses You Use to Avoid Exercising

You probably already know you should get your body moving. You've read about the amazing benefits that regular exercise can have not only on your figure, but also on your health. And yet, you seem to avoid it like the plague. Heck, you've even convinced yourself that you have some valid reasons for doing so. Here are some of the most common excuses (because that's what they are) you use to avoid hitting the gym.

"I don't have the time"

True, if you work long hours or have kids, you may be running on a tight schedule, but that doesn't mean you can't fit some exercise in it. Think about it: if you have the time to catch up on your favorite TV show or surf the web, then you definitely can spare a few moments for a quick run or some lunges. Your workouts don't have to be long or exhausting; the idea is to get into the habit of exercising on a regular basis. That won't happen unless you come up with a weekly plan -and stick to it.

"I can't afford a gym subscription"

Gym memberships can be quite pricey, especially for places that offer premium services like a spa or sauna. Luxury aside, even your local average gym may seem out of reach when you're living paycheck to paycheck. The good news, however, is that you don't need to spend a dime on equipment or fitness experts. Just put on your trainers and head for the nearest park. A brisk walk or light jog can work miracles for your body and your well-being. According to experts, a 10-minute walk a day is enough to boost your heart health, increase your intake of oxygen, and improve your mood.

"I'm too tired to exercise"

If you're used to feeling exhausted before the day ends, the last thing you'll want to do is put on your sweatpants and go for a run. You probably think you don't have that kind of energy in you, so you'd better lie down, watch some TV, and unwind. Well, you might have to think again. Once you manage to bypass the initial resistance that your body will inevitably put up, you will realize that regular exercise actually increases your stamina, providing you with a lot more energy to tackle the demands of your daily routine. In fact, you may be surprised to find that you feel tired and groggy when you skip a workout. How cool is that?

"I can't exercise because my back/ knee/ joints hurt"

Maybe you've had a painful injury that still gives you a tough time. Or maybe you're suffering from the usual aches and pains that a sedentary lifestyle brings about, and you feel that your chest is going to explode if you push yourself a little too hard. That shouldn't keep you from breaking a sweat. On the contrary, exercise can soften your joints and relieve much of the pain you're experiencing. Before you start, consult a physician who will direct you towards the types of exercise that will benefit you the most, as well as the types you should avoid to prevent your pain from worsening.

"I'm not the athletic type."

So what if you've never exercised a day in your life? It's never too late to start. You don't need to have mad athletic skills to take up a sport. You don't even have to like it or feel like doing it in the first place. Exercise is an acquired taste, and the more of it you get, the more it grows on you. What matters is that you stick to your routine no matter how difficult or boring it seems in the beginning. With time, you'll find that your workouts become easier and less painful and that your stamina and skills improve.

When it comes to exercising, Newton's First Law of Motion is spot on: An object at rest will remain at rest unless a force acts upon it. In other words, if you don't make a conscious effort to get off the couch, you will keep coming up with tons of excuses why you're not working out. Exercising on the daily may look hard at first, but in the end, you'll see that it's totally worth the hassle.