Avoiding Exercise

Although many people wish they were exercising more often, sometimes those same people come up with a number of excuses to not exercise. Here are some constructive responses to the most common excuses.

 

Excuse #1

"I'm too busy; I have no time."

You only need 20 - 60 minutes, 3 - 6 times each week, time that you probably spend watching TV, etc. Schedule your exercise time, make an appointment with a friend to meet the same time each day.

Excuse #2

"I'm too tired, I have no energy."

For the energy you expend on exercise, you receive twice as much back. So,if you have a lot of things to do, you'll need extra energy to get them done.

Excuse #3

"It's easier to sit and watch TV than exercise (I'm lazy)."

The less you do, the less you'll be able to do: if you don't use it, you'll lose it!

Excuse #4

"If I exercise, I get short of breath."

Increase shortness of breath is a normal response to exercise, and you'll experience less shortness of breath the more you exercise. If you don't exercise, you'll experience moreshortness of breath with daily activities.

Excuse #5

"Exercise is boring!"

Make exercise fun. Distract yourself by watching TV, listening to music or books on tape, reading, or exercising with a friend. Keep a log or diary of your progress. Give yourself rewards for sticking with your exercise program (a new tape, a long-distance phone call, a night out, etc.)

Excuse #6

"I can't exercise today because the weather is bad."

Always have a Plan A and a Plan B. If Plan A is walking outdoors, then Plan B may be stationary biking, walking on a treadmill, walking at the mall, or going to the local YMCA or recreation center.

 

Find an Activity That Fits Your Personality  

What kind of exerciser are you?

• Team player
  • Try badminton, volleyball, tennis
• Loner
  • Try biking, walking, swimming
• Strenuous exercise
  • Try golf, water aerobics, stationary biking
• Easier intensity
  • Try low impact aerobics, swimming, hiking
• Like to socialize
  • Try mall walking, aerobics, water aerobics

 

This information has been approved by Kimberly Sack, MS, PT (June 2009).