No Excuses!
We all have reasons to stay inactive. But with a little thought and planning, you can overcome most obstacles to physical activity. For example: “I don’t have time to exercise.”
While physical activity does take time, you can reduce your heart disease risk by getting only 30 minutes of moderate activity on most days of the week. Plus, you can save time by doubling up on some activities.
For example, you can ride an exercise bike or use hand weights while watching TV. Or, you can transform some of your everyday chores—like washing your car or walking the dog—into heart healthy activities by doing them more briskly than usual.
Below are some common excuses and solutions to combat them:
“I don’t like to exercise.” You may have bad memories of doing situps or running in high school, sweating, puffing, and panting. Now we know that you can get plenty of gain without pain. Activities you already do, such as gardening or walking, can improve your health. So just do more of the activities you like.
“I don’t have the energy to be more active.” Get active first—and watch your energy soar. Once you begin regular physical activity, you will almost certainly feel stronger and more vigorous. As you progress, daily tasks will seem easier.
“I keep forgetting to exercise.” Leave your sneakers near the door to remind yourself to walk, or bring a change of clothes to work and head straight for the gym, yoga class, or walking trail on the way home. Put a note on your calendar to remind yourself to exercise. While you’re at it, get in the habit of adding more activity to your daily routine.
What are some excuses you've been using? Maybe someone else can come up with a solution to help you combat them or share your own solutions.
Next entry: A Sample Walking Program
Trackback Pings
TrackBack this entry: http://www.fatfighterblogs.com/cgi-bin/mt/mt-tb.cgi/377
4 Comments
02.22.07 | BG commented: My main excuse is simply that I don't want to. It is stupid. EVERY single time I go for walk I tell myself how silly it is that I don't do it consistently, considering it is such a little chunk of my day.
02.23.07 | Trixie Belden commented: I multi-task while I exercise: I read for school while I ride the bike at the gym. It makes the time go faster on the bike and it makes it more interesting to read all the mountains of stuff I have to cover for school! It works for me!
02.23.07 | Poundsaway commented: What worked for me was getting a stationery bike that is parked right in front of the TV. I'm a big TV addict, and I thought - hey, instead of sitting there slumped like a spud, I might as well be doing something. Since I've added the bike, I've been exercising from 3 to 5 times a week. And it's fun - I get to watch my favourite shows and work out at the same time. It's a gem.
I'm thinking of adding the next step - getting a pedometer so that I can incorporate exercise in my daily routine.
Note: Comments are closed. Please use this form to leave a message.
What a timely topic for me! I am just starting to do the exercise thing.. starting with walking in my neighborhood as well as at the club.. and swimming at the club.. water aerobics at the club .. things like that. Exercise does not have to be bust your butt and wear yourself out to be benifical. Starting slow and building up allows your body to get used to the extra movement with out risk of injury.. One step at a time.