Have you seen this commercial where a couple lists off the various reasons they couldn’t work out? While some of the excuses are pretty funny (“Wednesdays are weird” is a favorite), they all emphasize one thing: there is an almost limitless list of excuses for skipping out on regular exercise. Here are some common excuses for not exercising – and ways to work around them.
I don’t have time: We live in such a go-go-go society that sometimes knocking exercise off the To-Do list seems the only way to get everything done. If that sounds familiar, maybe you need to rethink your approach. In order to make regular exercise a part of your routine, you have to make it a priority. Treat exercise like you would a meeting with your boss or a co-worker (think of it as a meeting with yourself). If you still have a hard time carving out 30 minutes at a time to work out, try breaking it up into 10 minute segments throughout the day (this video from the Institute of Lifestyle Medicine is a great full-body workout you can do right at your desk). If all else fails, multitask. See if there are places you can fit in a little movement through your day, whether it’s walking around the office while on a conference call or doing some bodyweight exercises during commercial breaks at night watching TV. Remember, a little bit of exercise is better than none at all.
Need to Care for Kids / Family: Balancing work with the needs of kids and family is a major contributor to the lack of time mentioned above, so the same advice can apply here. Another option is include your kids in your workout routine. You’ll be setting a good example for the little ones, getting them on track to start healthy exercise habits of their own, and spending some quality time together as a family.
I don’t have access / like going to the gym: Gyms and health clubs can be intimidating and aren’t a good fit for everyone. The good news is you can still build a regular fitness routine without a gym membership. Walking is one of the easiest ways to fit exercise into your day, and all you really need is a good pair of walking shoes. There are a number of places to walk in Boston, and enough scenery to keep your walk interesting. Weather causing you to move your workout indoors? See if you can borrow a fitness DVD from your local library. If you have Internet access, websites like sparkpeople.com have a selection of workout videos you can access any time – for free!
It’s boring!: Okay, we’ll admit running on the treadmill, staring at the same wall day after day gets old. If this is the reason you dread going to the gym, it might be time to try a new activity. Adding variety to your workouts is not only good for your mind (by keeping boredom at bay) it’s good for your body too. Changing up activities can prevent injury, and keeping your body guessing is one way to break through weight loss plateaus. You could also try changing your scenery. Going for a walk or bike ride outside gives you something new to look at (and you can easily add challenge by changing your route). If all else fails, see if a friend can come with you. Having someone to talk to while you work out can make the time fly by.
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