Exercise without excuses
There’s nothing new in that exercising is the best way to effectively lose weight. The activity cranks up your metabolism, and burns up more calories. In addition, the more you exercise, the better the effects. Exercising also builds muscle mass, which is more dense and haveier than fat. That means your body has to use up more effort to pump blood around it, and it requires more nutrients to keep it healthy. The end
result? Even when you are at rest, your body naturally burns up more calories and you lose weight.
True to how most humans are, the prospect of exercising usually elicits groans from the majority of people. There’s all the logistics to work out - the time, equipment, expense and the total, utter boringness of it all. Negative thinking about exercise can sabotage all your good intentions. Here’s a list of answers for some of the most commonly used excuses not to exercise.
I don’t have the extra time to exercise!
Exercising is probably one of the most important things you’ll do for your health today. PUT TIME ASIDE FOR EXERCISE. If you’re engaging in traditional workout programs - move your weights and mats into the family room and make use of your television time. Instead of flopping down in a chair while you watch the news or your favorite sitcom, be active. Run on the spot, do leg lifts or lift weights. Use time in your car to tighten and tone muscles with isometric tummy tighteners. Walk up the stairs instead of using the elevator. Exercise doesn’t have to be a solid hour at the gym. Anything that revs up your motors is great for your body.
Not having the time just isn’t an excuse.
I don’t have the right equipment at home.
You don’t need special equipment to exercise or any equipment in many cases. A brisk walk around the block is good for you - and burns over 200 calories depending on the size of the block where you live of course:-). Vacuuming your rugs at home can burn up nearly as much. Turn on your radio or pop in your favorite high-energy CD and dance. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that your ‘exercise’ has to be a carefully planned workout to work all the right muscles in the right order with the right tension. Exercise means being active. As the Nike slogan say”Just do it”.
I cannot afford to pay for a gym membership.
If you WOULD rather exercise at the gym (and have access to their various fitness machines, whirlpools, swimming pool and trainers), there are a lot of ways to make it more affordable. Check with your health insurance company to see if they offer any incentives. Most of the major health insurance companies, including Blue Cross and others, cover part or all of fitness club memberships as part of your benefits. If yours doesn’t, or if you don’t have health insurance, call your local YMCA or YWCA. Most offer ’scholarships’ or sliding fee scales for memberships to their facilities.
But isn’t exercising is such a chore?
Says who? It definitely doesn’t have to be. Make getting your daily dose of exercise more fun. Play a fun game. Go dancing. Grab a few buddies and head for a weekend hike in the nearest state park. Exercise doesn’t have to be routine. Stop thinking of it as a chore and start thinking of it as recreation. You’ll be amazed what a difference it makes.
Stop making excuses for doing what will give you so many benefits. Not only will you feel much better but you will LOOK a lot better too. There are just NO excuses for NOT exercising.