Usually, there are two types of people when it comes to physical activity: those who love and exercise all the time and those who use the famous excuses for not exercising and who will follow this way at any cost. But there is also the middle ground, where many of us are more comfortable.
We all know the importance of staying in shape and the benefits of healthy living for our body. Adopting a healthier lifestyle brings wonderful benefits to our mind and can also give us a happier and more fun social life. However, we often put something more urgent ahead and put physical activities aside.
Most of us have heard or used an excuse to explain why we couldn’t exercise that day. Some of the most extravagant excuses that customers have given their personal trainers for not exercising include cutting off their fingers, not wanting to ruin the massage they had received the day before, and being too tired to do any exercise.
Between us, we know that these customers could probably exercise a little more and dedicate at least a few more minutes to their quality of life and well-being and leave aside the most common famous excuses for not going to the gym .
Here we list the most common excuses as to why you probably won’t go to the gym to train today and give some tips to help you and overcome them. Check it out:
# 1 I don’t have time
How many times did you say that? In many cases, it is a perfectly reasonable excuse, as we are all busy doing other important things for much of the day.
When it comes to physical activity, the main point is that you have to make time for it. Make it part of your day just like brushing your teeth or taking a shower. There are a few ways to make time in your day to exercise and you will probably find that you have more time than you think. Try a quick workout and fit it at regular intervals throughout the week.
If you can’t find the time for a high-intensity session, such as a short run or cycling, you can take a 20-minute walk in the park. These 20 minutes can burn up to 100 calories according to researchers at the University of Cambridge, and increase your life expectancy, as well as reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease.
The secret is to take steps to better manage your time. You can try to create to-do lists on your phone and you will probably find gaps throughout your day and be able to fit at least a 45-minute workout at a gym or studio close to where you are.
# 2 I am very tired
It can be difficult to find the motivation for anything besides taking time to rest after a hard day at work. Adopting the excuse of being too tired to go to the gym is one of the most frequent.
To name just one of the many physical benefits of exercise is that it contributes to the proper functioning of the heart and lungs, providing oxygen and nutrients to your tissues.
The result is guaranteed: more energy to face the daily routine! So, when you’re too tired to exercise, it’s worth making that extra effort to compose yourself. At first it may seem a little more difficult, but when you are able to practice physical activities regularly, you will feel that your body does not tire so easily and you will have more energy both to work, to take a Crossfit class after hours or even even a Yoga class to relax your mind.
# 3 I don’t want to be seen sweating at the gym
Many people really don’t like to be seen sweaty at the gym, except for those who have a toned body and are already used to the public display. Don’t let your pride dictate your life with the excuse that you need to lose a few pounds before being seen at the gym.
Many people are shy when it comes to going to the gym and getting in shape. It is worth remembering that all people, with some exceptions, have locks and cannot maintain an exhibitionist style while they are exercising. So, before using the old excuse “I want to get in shape first”, try to convince a friend to keep you company or even put together a team of people to exercise in a group. We feel more secure in a group and you can even make new friends. Having a person training by your side can be a crucial motivator when you realize that you are giving some excuse for not exercising .
# 4 It’s very difficult
Combat chronic diseases, overcome the sedentary lifestyle and incorporate a lifestyle that can reduce the chances of chronic diseases. Exercise doesn’t have to be like a punishment, but it can be unpleasant when you know that doing that simple group walk or a short bike ride can really make you sore.
If a workout is too difficult for you, reduce the time you are practicing or try another lighter activity initially until you are physically prepared to increase the pace. There are many ways to modify your exercise plan and each person has a different training pace and style: there is no reason to be ashamed of it.
# 5 I’ll start next week
Procrastination is a common excuse for not exercising and leaving training or gym class aside. You may have every intention of staying in shape, but if you leave it to the future, you probably won’t be able to change today.
This is a difficult excuse to overcome and affects a large part of people. You already know how much exercise is good for you and are looking forward to trying that new workout at the gym. Maybe tomorrow. The most effective way to combat this excuse is to schedule the days and times for your physical activity and set goals that you know you can achieve. Once you can see your training schedule on your calendar, with goals to achieve, you are less likely to continue pushing your exercise plan into the future.
Remember: exercising can be a lot of fun!
It is very easy to find an excuse for not exercising. It is important to remember that if you are not excited to do any physical activity, your mind will try all sorts of tricks to keep you from getting there. To “trick your brain,” try to be creative about the type of activity you do, like learning a new dance style or trying a team sport, if you like competitions. The trick is to make physical activity fun.
It’s worth remembering some of the great benefits you can gain from an active and healthy lifestyle, setting aside the famous most common excuses for not going to the gym today, tomorrow or next week:
- You will feel happy
Right after training, you will feel great. When we exercise, the brain releases “wellness” chemicals that make you feel more positive and can also help decrease negative thoughts. - Will get an extra dose of energy
Who doesn’t need an extra dose of adrenaline every now and then? When you’re tired but can’t afford to stop altogether, physical activity can be that boost you need to move on. - It will improve your sleep
Finally, get the good night’s sleep you need. When you exercise regularly this can help you fall asleep faster and improve the quality of your sleep. Not exercising too close to bedtime is also important to ensure a good night’s sleep, as you can gain an extra dose of energy!
Today you can start a new stage and put an end to such excuses to leave training aside . With Gympass you can try different sports, each day at a different gym (or every day at the same gym, if you prefer) and in more than 1000 cities around Brazil.
Now, more than ever, the excuses are over!