How to Overcome the Shoulda, Coulda, Woulda’s When it Comes to Exercise!!

We have all made excuses to not exercise. When we are in the midst of a good exercise routine, exercise seems effortless. It fits into your day and you even start to look forward to it. Then it happens!! You miss a day, then a week, then all of a sudden a month goes by. Now exercise seems like it is so difficult to fit in. Well, summer is right around the corner, so no more procrastinating!!

Losing weight is never an easy task to accomplish. For a majority of people, weight loss involves a lifestyle change which forces us to change habits that have developed over a lifetime. Many of us find it difficult to incorporate exercise into their already busy routines and find several excuses to not exercise. We shouldn’t accept these excuses; so below are a few of the most common excuses and ways to combat those excuses:

1.  I Don’t Have Time

•  Get moving during your lunch break. Go for a walk outside! If it’s raining, try the steps in your building. Removing yourself from your work environment and getting exercise and fresh air will recharge your battery. Instead of coming back tired from lunch, you’ll be ready to go.
•  While in front of the television, start doing crunches, push ups, leg lifts, or sit on a stability ball for the whole show and do some light weights.
• Make exercise like an appointment!! Schedule time for you to do this since it’s important for mental and physical health.
• Get the kids involved! Go for a bike ride, walk during their sports practices, or get a dance DVD for the family to do together. It will show children at a young age that it’s part of your routine and it’s something healthy.

2. I’m Too Tired

• Get up 30 minutes earlier to get the workout in. It is better in the morning since you will be tired after a long day and might not be as compliant. Getting a workout in in the morning will increase your energy for the rest of the day.
• Start slow; don’t try to set an hour as your goal. This can be overwhelming and lead to non compliance. Start with 5 minutes and gradually increase your time. Challenge yourself each week to set a new goal.
• Find something fun to do instead of “getting on the treadmill”. Ice skate in the winter, go for a hike in the spring or summer.

3. I’m too sore from my last workout

• Stretch!! This can improve your flexibility and reduce tension in your muscles
• Soak in an epsom salt bath.
• Work out a different part of your body. If your arms are sore, do some lower body exercises or go for a brisk walk.

4. Exercise is boring

• Try something new!! If you find the treadmill boring, try taking a zumba class. Get a book on hiking trails in your area and take the family for a hike; you can snow shoe in the winter. Get a few dance or hip hop exercise DVD’s. Go swimming in the summer, ice skating in the winter. Enjoy yourself and you’ll be more likely to commit.
• Bring a friend!! This can be a motivator and help the time go by quicker.
• Read a book, magazine, or listen to motivating music.

5.  I Hate to Sweat

• Jump into a pool !! In the winter try to find an acqua aerobics class to do.
• Walk inside. Go to a mall where there’s a comfortable climate.
• Try resistance training. Not every exercise will make you sweat as much as an intense cardio exercise.

Hopefully these suggestions help to motivate you to get moving. Try to use one or more of these strategies to help you keep motivated and focused on your long term goals.

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