Physical activity is one of those things everyone sees as desirable, yet fails to pursue in the real world. Many are those who give it a try and then throw in the towel before any real benefits can be experienced. Some people claim they do not have the time, others lack the energy, and there are individuals who downright hate exercising. Be that as it may, the never-ending cycle of excuses certainly do more harm than good. And face it – does who will find a way, and those who won’t find a way out.
Break new ground
One of the most common excuses is related to time shortages. Well, there are many training programs that do not occupy much time, in fact, we have witnessed the proliferation of 20-minute workouts and other short bursts of activity tailored to those who need to fit training into a tight schedule. HIIT has been all the rage for a while now, and claiming you don’t have 15 minutes in a day to get up and jump around is a pretty bad choice of excuse. If you want to opt for something even longer, you can eliminate great time wasters like TV or even break a sweat while watching your favorite show.
Kids are not a viable excuse either. I have seen many parents turning training session into family fun. It is all about a will to change your life for the better. Why not go biking with the children, play active video games or put a badminton net in the yard? Teach them to play any sport, and make it family time.
Of course, you could just head to any nearby fitness center. You just need to fill your gym bags with quality training clothes, good shoes, water bottles or shakers, towels, workout logs, and upbeat music. Make sure you go for quality gym wear, though – training in your old torn T-shirt will not have the same results as investing in a proper kit. Establishing a weekly routine in the gym will get you both motivated and energized to achieve whatever goal you have set yourself.
That should do it, at least for some time. To really build a solid habit out of exercising, you also have to set up small, realistic goals. Don’t set yourself up for failure by overreaching at the very start. Moreover, keep track of your progress and do not fret if it is sluggish at first. Pay close attention to recovery time, rest, and proper nutrition. These are all vital pieces of the fitness puzzle, powers you must harness in order to turn the tide of inactivity and let a good mood and energy flood your daily activities.
A rising tide
We are not quite done dismissing excuses, like being too tired to train. This falls under the “absurd” category, since it has been proven that exercise elevates energy levels. Namely, physical strain boosts circulation, as well as the production of feel-good hormones in your body, endorphins. As a result, when you work out in the morning, you are supplied with enough energy to fulfill all daily obligations with flying colors. It may take you some time to getting used to it, but once you make it into a habit, you are all set.
One excuse which does make some sense is that exercise is boring. It is true that intense training does not always lift you up, but the benefits of boosted mood and energy kick in after a while. Besides, the field of exercise is so vast that it has something to offer for everyone. Running might not be your cup of tea, but how about some dancing, skating, parkour, freerunning, or something along those lines? It doesn’t really matter what it is you choose to do, as long as you are doing it right, and you’re enjoying the process.
So, another excuse bites the dust. We could go on, but let us focus on the point here. For many people, training is a big step out of their comfort zone. We have been trained to sit in front of a screen most of our days, and rarely get off the couch. The problem is that a sedentary lifestyle eventually takes a toll on your overall physical condition and health. Hence, it helps to educate yourself, and develop a deeper understanding of how a lack of exercise affects your life. You could be looking at issues with your blood pressure, blood sugar levels, cardiac health, and more.
A way of life
Following a line of least resistance is not the best way to achieve a fulfilled, healthy life. You can either have a bunch of worthless excuses, or achieve results that add true value to your life. But, you cannot have both. Even the most creative excuses do not hold up to any real scrutiny. So, bear in mind that where there is a will there is always a way. Go on, cultivate a positive change in life, and get ready to break some sweat the way you see fit.
Roxana is a travel enthusiast and lifestyle consultant from Sydney and she loves to write about her adventures. She is all about the healthy lifestyle, loves to run with her husband and dogs and has fun cooking exotic meals for her family. Being a typical Aussie, she often hits the waves and loves beaches and sunshine! You can find out more about her writing following her on twitter and facebook. She is also one of the editors at Higstylife Magazine.
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