Common Excuses to Avoid Exercise
Updated on October 04, 2007
Let me know if you have an exercise excuse you'd like to share by typing in "Exercise Excuse: [and put in your excuse here]" in the Suggestions Box to the right. I'll add them to the list and come up with a solution for it.
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"I don't have time."
We all know that we could make time if we really wanted to. If you can make time for your hobbies or to add extra projects to your already busy routine, you can rearrange your schedule to allow you to exercise.
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"I can't afford the equipment / gym membership."
Great! You don't need equipment or a gym membership.
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"I can't get to the gym."
So bring the gym to you by buying or making inexpensive (or free) equipment at home, buying or renting videos (or record them from TV), and by doing exercise that doesn't require equipment.
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"I don't have any workout clothes."
All you need is a t-shirt and some sweat pants or shorts, and if you're going to be running around or going outside, invest your money in some good shoes (make sure you go to a shoe store and try out lots of different shoes).
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"It's boring."
I personally believe stair-climbers, treadmills, and stationary bikes are boring, but there's more to exercise that those old things. Take dance lessons or martial arts. Go hiking, rock climbing, kayaking, etc. Try some team sports if you're competitive. Go roller or ice skating. Do something productive while you exercise, like gardening or scrubbing your house. Start walking around town, and check out the new shops or museums.
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"It's exhausting and/or it hurts."
I don't know who came up with the no-pain-no-gain philosophy, but it's stupid. Pain is a signal to your body that something is wrong and needs to stop. If it hurts, you're doing it wrong or pushing yourself too hard. If you get exhausted, you're probably trying to do too much too soon. If you like the pain, your masochistic.
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"It takes too long to see results."
Yup, it does take a long time. It doesn't happen over night, but if you don't do it, it will never happen. That's like saying if I can't have a million dollars right now, I'm not going to try to earn an income at all, and we all know that is ridiculous. So here is your choice, start exercising today and get to a healthier weight within months or years or be fat for the rest of your life.
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"I'm too old / unhealthy / out-of-shape / tired / etc."
Well duh. If you don't exercise, you're going to be out of shape, frail, ill, fatigued, and so forth. Nobody starts off as an Olympic athlete, marathon runner, or even fit enough to complete an entire aerobics class. You have to build your way up. Sometimes you'll only be able to add on one or two minutes each time you exercise, and it could take you 30 exercise sessions or more to get to one half of an hour of exercise. Sometimes you'll notice that you can do a bit more than you thought you could. Everybody (and I repeat EVERYBODY) starts off at the bottom of the fitness hill and has to walk their way up step by step. Some of us just start that climb sooner than other, but we all go at about the same pace. Even if you have disabilities, there's always something you can do with the parts of your body that aren't disabled.
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"I don't look good exercising."
Don't make me roll my eyes at you. Sure, it isn't the most attractive thing to watch somebody sweat or jiggle, but try this. Go to a gym (get the free one day pass) and look at everyone else working out. Even the obese people look better when they exercise than when they're sitting around. The secret is energy. If you look energetic (by doing energetic things), you look healthier and happier, and health and happiness are attractive (that's why athletes and bubbly girls (even the very un-model ones) get all the dates). Yes, your hair will get messed up, but it's attractive, just like messing up your hair during sex or making-out is attractive. Now compare this to a bunch of people sitting, slouching, and gorging themselves with super-sized meals. Which one seems more attractive to you?
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"I don't like how I jiggle."
Do something low impact. Less bounce means less jiggle. Walking, for example, has very little jiggle.
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"I already get enough exercise at work."
If you are overweight, guess what, you don't get enough exercise at work, at home, or anywhere else. If you were getting enough exercise, you wouldn't be overweight.
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"I want to relax."
Exercise reduces your stress chemicals in your body, so you actually end up less stressed after exercise than you would if you just "relaxed" in front of the television.
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"I don't know how to get started."
Glad you mentioned it. Check out Start an Exercise Routine for ideas on how to get started.
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"I'm already doing too much today."
So just get in 5 minutes (minimum). Even if you can only get in 5 minutes here, 5 minutes there, etc. you will make progress. If you're in a waiting room (for a doctor appointment or a plane), sitting in a car,
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"It's too hot outside."
Exercise inside.
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"It's raining today."
Exercise inside or go have some fun in the rain.
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"My exercise equipment is broken."
You don't need exercise equipment. Do something that doesn't require exercise equipment.
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"I don't like where I have to go to exercise."
Pick a new place to exercise.
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"I don't have an exercise partner."
Exercise by yourself. Otherwise, join a club, like a biking club, walking club, skiing club, kayaking club, etc. You'll always have lots of people to exercise with.
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"I'm too depressed."
Exercise can make you happier both immediately and long term. It can also reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. It's like a mood-improvement-therapy session.
...by Feed