Eight Excuses People Have for Not Exercising

It seems like every day there's new evidence of how important getting regular exercise is for good health. As children, most people have abundant energy and crave fresh air and movement. Some people manage to hang onto that zest for physical activity, but too many Americans fall out of love with working out. Here are just a few excuses certain able-bodied people have come up with to explain why they're not working out.

Excuse number one-"Being out of shape or clumsy is so embarrassing!"

As a less than athletic child, I always hated gym class. It was a kind of torture for me, especially when the gym teacher made us pick teams for games like soccer, volleyball, or basketball. I was never particularly good at most team sports and because I was both unathletic and unpopular, I was not among the first kids chosen for a team. I also never got any better at those games because I never had much of a chance to practice. It's hard to develop a killer volleyball spike when no one wants to play with you.

People inevitably get older and the daily humiliation of physical education classes eventually fade into history. However, for a lot of people, the memory of that shame lingers and acts as a repellent to going to the gym. If you're one of those people who are too embarrassed to work out inf ront of other people, consider trying an activity that you can do alone and doesn't require too much fancy footwork. Activities like hiking, biking, horseback riding, or swimming may be good choices.

Excuse number two- "Exercise is punishment!"

This excuse is another one that may have its origins in gym class. Some people think of exercise as punishment because someone in their past, perhaps a gym teacher, drill instructor, or a parent, ordered them to "take a lap" or "drop and give 'em twenty" when they misbehaved. The idea that exercise should be a punishment for doing wrong may linger into adulthood, particularly if exercise doesn't come easily.

To counter this excuse, considering choosing an exercise that is nothing but fun for you. You may not like running or doing push ups. What kinds of physical activities are fun? When you were a kid, did you like to play tag or hide and go seek? If you have kids or willing adults, maybe you can organize a favorite childhood game. Do you like to bowl? Consider paying a visit to your favorite bowling alley. How about dance? Hit a disco or sign up for a class. Any kind of exercise is better than none and if you're the type of person who dreads it because it was once a punishment, you should focus on choosing an activity that you'll really enjoy.

Excuse number three- "I don't have time to exercise!"

How is it with all the new gizmos and gadgets we come up with to make life easier and create more leisure time, life continues to get busier and busier? Today's kids often lead highly regulated lives with lessons, playdates, and school all carefully scheduled. Their parents are often either working at a job or shuttling their kids from place to place. A busy lifestyle can make it hard to find time to exercise and offers a good excuse not to pencil in that physical activity.

One way to get around this excuse is to build exercise into your busy schedule. Instead of taking the elevator, climb some stairs. Consider parking further away from the grocery store so you have to walk further. Get up and walk around for a few minutes to get the blood flowing. Your life may be very busy, but most people can spare a few minutes at a time to exercise. And twenty to thirty minutes of exercise a day is all it takes to start making a positive difference in your health.

Excuse number four- "I'm afraid of being mugged!"

The fear of being a crime victim can be a big deterrent against exercise. If you live in a dangerous neighborhood and can't afford to join a health club, you might not want to take that walk around the block or jog through the park. The fear of being attacked or robbed during an exercise session can be particularly potent after an incident makes the news.

To overcome the crime excuse, consider organizing an exercise group. Maybe you have a friend who also needs to get more exercise. Ask them if they'd like to have a standing appointment to take walks with you. If you don't have any friends who want to exercise with you, consider working exercise into your day to day activities. Take the stairs, park further away from the store, or perhaps develop some kind of routine that can be done in the safety of your home. Or maybe you can get yourself a big, protective dog to take walks with you.

Excuse number five- "I can't afford to exercise!"

It's true that joining a health club or a gym can be out of financial reach for some people. Initiation fees, monthly dues, and the cost of workout clothes and equipment can be expensive.

Exercise doesn't have to cost an arm and a leg. Walking, jogging, climbing stairs, and doing calisthenics are just a few ways to exercise without spending a dime. A good housecleaning or yardworking session can also help you burn up calories and work up a sweat without costing too much money. You'll end up with a clean house and neat yard, too. You might also consider investing in a couple of pairs of low weight dumbbells and a jumprope. They're great, inexpensive tools to keep around the house for a little impromptu weight training and aerobic exercise.

Excuse number six- "I hate to sweat!"

Some people hate the feeling of sweat rolling down their faces when they're working out. They don't like getting hot and breathless, and being sweaty and stinky makes them feel dirty.

Consider choosing an exercise involving water. It's hard to feel sweaty when you're in water. Don't like to swim? What about ice skating or skiing or another type of exercise that's done in cold weather? You might still sweat, but it won't be quite as noticeable.

Excuse number seven- "Exercise doesn't do me any good. I never see any results."

Some people think that exercising is a waste of time because they don't think it's working. If a person exercises to lose weight, he or she may become discouraged if the pounds don't start coming off immediately. Or if a person is hoping to get into better physical shape, he or she may give up when the muscles take longer than expected to get firm.

Sometimes it takes awhile to see the positive results of exercise. If you're not seeing any results after diligently exercising for a period of time, you may want to consult a personal trainer to discover the exercises that are the most appropriate for you. Any exercise you do is going to benefit your body, but your routine may need some tweaking to maximize your results.

And finally, excuse number eight- "I hate to exercise alone!"

It can be difficult to get motivated to exercise if you're the type of person who hates exercising alone. Sometimes another person can help keep you with the program.

Consider taking a class. Sign up for a beginning course in martial arts, horseback riding, or dance. Check out the local Parks & Recreation department for team sports opportunities. Maybe aerobics is your thing? Again, this is a situation where a good friend, human, equine, or canine, can be an excellent exercise partner and keep you aiming for physical fitness.

What works for me...

I admit that I don't exercise as much as I should. I'm not very coordinated and I have no talent for sports. I do, however, have two eager beagles who need to be walked several times a day. It's hard for me to miss a day of some type of exercise because my dogs won't allow it. I also make a point of going up and down the stairs in my home several times a day and doing household chores with vigor. My husband and I enjoy taking walks together, especially when we travel. That's how we end up having the best travel experiences.

The bottom line is that exercise is an important aspect of staying healthy. If you try hard enough, you can come up with plenty of excuses not to exercise. The same effort is just as easily applied toward being determined to get your heart, lungs, and muscles going every day. A little bit is all you need to start making a difference. So take ten or twenty minutes and move around a bit every day. You may find yourself replacing those tired old excuses with excellent exercise habits that will improve your health and you life. Now, if you'll excuse me, my dogs and I need to take a walk!

Source:
Personal experience