Overcoming Exercise Obstacles

Excuses, excuses!

I was one of those people that made a lot of excuses about why I couldn’t lose weight. I was too tired. Nothing I did worked, etc etc etc.

So how does one overcome those negative self-talk thoughts and Just Do It?

If you’re a regular reader of my blog, then you’ve probably noticed a lot of my advice is “Just Do It.” It may not be a tangible motivation but honestly it really is as simple as that.

There are many days that I just don’t feel like going to the gym. The idea of getting wet in the pool and taking a second shower can be bleak. Or battling traffic and parking garages to GO to the gym…ugh!! But 100% of the time I am grateful that I forced myself to just do it.

This isn’t every excuse in the book, but here’s a few:

Obstacle:  Fear. Are you afraid of trying the machines at the gym because you don’t know how to use them? And everyone else seems to know how?

Solution: Sign up for a session with a personal trainer and ask them to show you how to use the machines. Watch other people use the machines. There are several machines that I had to use “trial and error” in order to figure them out! Once I did, they became my favorites.

Obstacle: Change is Scary. Are you afraid of making a change?

Solution: Change can be fun! Trying new things, seeing progress…it can all lead to positive changes in your life. Write down everything you’re afraid of changing and why it scares you. Then focus on changing your thought process.

Obstacle: Bad weather. This time of year it’s easy to make excuse not to exercise…cold, rainy, snowy, wet…

Solution: Go to the gym. Or walk/run the stairs in your office building during lunch. Try an exercise video from Netflix or the library. Do yoga with a friend.

Obstacle: No child care.

Solution: Workout with our kids. Kids are never too young to learn the benefits of exercise. Go for a walk to the park, run around the park, do yoga. Show your kids how to do yoga. Ask a friend to babysit.

Obstacle: Too tired.

Solution: Often times the hardest part of exercising is putting on those shoes. Just do it! Exercise energizes the body and the mind.

Obstacle: Exercising is boring.

Solution: Choose an activity you ENJOY. Swimming. Hiking. Even walking with a friend. Or do what Michael does: sets up his bike in the living room on the bike trainer and watches TV while he works out.

Obstacle:  Memberships are too expensive. Can’t afford exercise equipment/clothes/gym memberships.

Solution: Read my post on how to Exercise Without Breaking the Bank.

Obstacle: It takes too long to see results.

Solution: Actually, if done correctly results should be immediate. Now, the weight loss won’t be drastic immediately but exercise + diet DOES work. Weight lifting really does work! The results are usually pretty fast too.

Obstacle: “I jiggle too much when I work out.”

Solution: Wear dark, loose fitting clothes. And honestly, the jiggle will go away once you lose weight! 🙂

Obstacle: “I’m too embarrassed to work out in front of other people.” That’s a pretty common one I hear, especially from women.

Solution: Try going to Curves. Curves is a women’s only gym. If you’re intimidated by working out in front of men, or using complicated machines, this is always an option.

Obstacle: “People will judge me.”

Solution: Actually, most people are too busy being self-absorbed to notice others! They are focused on their own workouts, how THEY look in their spandex to notice. (The only people I notice are people that stand out…like the girl in a dress and stripper boots on the elliptical.:) Or the guy that’s grunting super loudly.)

Obstacle: “I’m not fit enough to work out.”

Solution: That’s kind of a chicken and egg scenario if you ask me, and not a very valid excuse. Go for a walk. Start walking 30 minutes every day and build up to something. Then go to a gym and watch the progress you make! That’s half the fun!

QUESTION: What excuses do you make for not working out? And how do you overcome them?