We all do it: It gets to around ten minutes before you’re due to leave for the gym and you think of an excuse why you can’t go. While it may be easy to talk yourself out of exercise, you can’t talk yourself out of the weight gain that comes as a result of it. For example, claiming you don’t have the time – this is a common excuse that we’ve all used at one point or another. In reality though, you don’t need to spend a lot of time working out in order to see or feel the benefits. Many people think that they need to spend every waking moment in the gym in order to look toned and stay healthy, but that’s not actually the case. You only need to set aside a small pocket of time each week for exercise in order to keep your heart healthy, your weight stable and your mood elevated. Try going for a brisk walk on your lunch break a couple of times a week, going to an exercise class one evening a week and topping it off with a 20 minute session of dancing in your own home each week. These are all easy to fit into any busy schedule, yet all count towards your fitness.
If you’re always claiming that exercise bores you, then you simply need to try harder with keeping your workout fresh and interesting. The best way to break through the boredom factor of exercise is to give yourself a goal and a little bit of variety. Try turning your workout into a challenge, by setting yourself small targets throughout the session that you need to beat. The more focused you are during your session the more you’ll get out of it – staying energised and engaged is the best way to get the most out of regimes. Check in regularly by checking your form, posture and breathing but make sure that you always stay in the moment. If you find that your mind is wandering, hit a new song on your iPod or get back into counting your steps so that you remain engaged at all times.
If you struggle to exercise unless you have a friend or workout buddy with you, then there are ways to get over this and get back in the game. Yes, you may need to have someone there to hold you accountable, but they don’t need to be standing right beside you at all times. Thanks to technology, it’s possible to check in with people and compete against people all over the world. Apps and websites such as these can ensure that you don’t drop out of exercise classes, as well as ensuring that the fun and camaraderie of competitive sports isn’t lost.
Sometimes, the easiest excuse to use is that it’s too rainy or cold outside. If you want to get over your personal discomfort, you need to find yourself a motivator that will stand up against your excuses. While we all want to tone up or lose weight, if you aren’t speaking on an emotional level then you won’t be motivated to do anything about it. Try writing down three reasons behind your exercise motivation, such as health reasons or your children – these are what you’ll call on when you can’t muster the energy to head to the gym in the middle of the week. Exercising can be hugely beneficial for your health and can boost your wellbeing, keeping you healthy and happy. These strategies for combating your excuses will ensure that you never skip an exercise class again.
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