I think we’d all agree that if it were possible to be our ideal weight without having to exercise, we would all sign up for that program. But the reality is, exercise is necessary for overall health.  Realistic Solutions to the 10 Most Common Exercise Excuses.

1. I am way too busy to exercise – This used to be my #1 excuse. Just like so many of us, we work, have children, families, other activities, house hold chores, etc. I often hear many people suggest get up earlier and workout. While that may work for some of us, this option doesn’t work for me. During the work week, I get up at 5 am. So the idea of getting up even earlier to workout doesn’t fit. Where this does work for me is on the weekends. I will get up at 7 am to go to the gym for 8 or 9 am classes. How do we make time to exercise? Maybe getting up earlier works for you, set your alarm clock or phone 30-45 minutes to get a workout in, during work – lunch time break, being more active throughout your day – park car further, take stairs, set the timer on your phone every 30 minutes, get up from your desk, walk over to a colleague instead of sending an email, suggest stand up or walking meetings, bring change of clothes to work and head straight to the park/ gym/ local HS to get a workout in before entering your house. While waiting for your child’s sports practice, music, dance lesson, etc., use that time to walk , do stretches, core, etc. At night after homework and kids in bed, instead of siting on the sofa, get in a 30 min. exercise. There’s lost of exercises and routines available on YouTube, fitness apps on cell phone, websites such as www.bodybuilder.com, dance to music, or if you have fitness equipment, watch TV or catch up on the latest magazines while on your treadmill, stationary bike or elliptical machine.
2. I am too tired to exercise – I used to be exhausted all the time. Just carrying around my extra weight was a workout in and of itself. When I feel too tired to workout, I simply push through those negative thoughts and get it done. Getting some exercise is a wonderful way to rejuvenate yourself after a long, busy and stressful day. This week, I felt too tired to workout at all. When I got home, instead of getting dinner ready first, I changed my clothes and served dinner, and then got my exercise in. This really helped and for the future, I plan to change my clothes at work just so I’m ready to workout without any excuses.
3. I know I should exercise, but I just don’t do it. Why are we so willing to keep the commitments we make to others and not ourselves? We have to make ourselves and our health a priority. One of the questions I often ask myself, If I’m not in good health, how am I going to take care of my family? I’m working towards keeping the commitments I set with myself. We are just as important and our commitments to ourselves are equally as important to those we make with others. Give yourself a treat for keeping to your exercise schedule. So, if you have made a commitment to exercise 3 times per week, after you complete the week, do something nice for yourself. If you don’t want to spend any money, share your news with your Facebook community, Instagram your photo after you’ve accomplished your goal. Whatever it is, big or small, be proud of taking this important stem towards improving your health.
4. I Hate to Exercise – some of us are more comfortable sitting or lying down. I suggest trying several types of exercise, things you never thought you would do. You will eventually find exercise you enjoy enough to continue to make it part of your lifestyle. My friend, Nancy, speed walks in her neighborhood. She says getting out in the fresh air, walking the neighborhood helps her relieve stress, while checking out the local scenery as she gets her workout in. I’ve tried kick boxing and Zumba, which are great. I tried water aerobics, which I thought wasn’t even exercise, but am absolutely HOOKED. It’s AMAZING and very easy on  your joints. I went to boot camp, high interval intensity training, circuit training, and did a few 5 K races. I discovered weigh lifting and was blown away with how quickly your strength, conditioning and body can change. Then, I’ve tried various machines, spinning, exercises for abs and core. It’s great to just keep trying new things so you don’t get bored and stop.
5. I can’t afford a gym – walk, jog, run, bicycle riding, mall walking, dance, YouTube exercises, Internet exercise programs, TV exercise channels, gaming system offer exercise, such as Wii fit. If you have a daily latte or coffee habit, by merely cutting back from 7 days to 4 days, with the money you save, you could join YouFit or Planet Fitness gyms which offer a $10.00 per month fee. There are also some great discounted offers to many gyms and personal trainer services on Groupon. I’ll include some links to free exercise at the end of this post.
6. I just don’t know how to get started – beginning anything new can seem overwhelming, especially if we’ve never exercised before. So how do we really get going? I would suggest simply start by walking. If your physically not able to get out of a chair or bed, then move your arms and legs to music while seated. Begin to get used to moving more as your overall health improves. There’s a lot of ways to research exercise and I’ll include some links to help you learn more about exercise to decrease your anxiety about how to begin.
7. I am too embarrassed to exercise – I went through this for a very long time. What got me through my embarrassment was I went into sort of zone where I blocked everything else out and just focused on myself doing my workout, whether it was walking, a class at the gym, or any other activity. I was aware of my surrounding, but I didn’t focus on the people, I simple kept inside myself and did what I had to do. I remember the first time I went into the gym. I thought, HOLY SMOKES, everyone here is THIN! There wasn’t anyone my size at all. While this was absolutely the truth, I was just outside my comfort zone. Maybe it was the fact that by going to the gym, I was publicly admitting I had a problem! Now that I don’t stick out like a sore thumb in the gym, when I do look around and survey the environment, there are people of all shapes and sizes. I’m glad I didn’t let these thought overtake my goals! I hope this makes sense to everyone because this was how I could even get out of my house to exercise in public places.
8. It hurts to exercise – physical limitations can be discouraging and leave us with fewer options when it comes to exercise. The good news is that there are many things we can do no matter what our physical condition is. Always be sure to check with your doctor so that you have clearance to exercise. Once you have the green light to proceed, then I suggest take things slow to ensure you have proper form and your movements don’t add to your pain. Stretching helps, yoga and Pilates are great,  yet do these with caution as certain movements can cause pain, such as if you have arthritis or other ailments.
9. I don’t like to exercise alone – there are all sorts of walking clubs, gyms, parks, co-workers, family, friends and many other ways to buddy up and make it happen. Check out the links listed below for various groups and also check out the options available through your local Hospitals, Universities, Churches and Cities. You could also be a trailblazer and organize your own group to get the exercise party started.
10. Exercise messes up my hair – while this may not be reality for all of us,  it is a serious excuse for many of us ladies. I don’t like my hair to get messed up especially a recent trip to the salon. I try to keep my hair in pony tails, or wrap it around itself with bobby pins. There’s all sorts of hair wraps and I do see many ladies use baseball caps. In the pool, many people use swimming caps or I’ve even seen people use clear shower caps. I try to use my swimming cap, but I honestly don’t like it and prefer to put my hair up in a clip, pony tails or bobby pins.

Some helpful and free exercise resources:

Broward Parks Fitness Zones:

xhttp://www.broward.org/Parks/ThingsToDo/Pages/Memorial%20Fitness%20Zone.aspx

http://www.miamidade.gov/releases/2016-10-24-parks-older-adults.asp

Baptist Health Free  Community Exercise Programs

www.bodybuilder.com

YouFit Health Clubs

Planet Fitness Health Clubs

Groupon