Five Most Common Excuses We Feed Ourselves to Avoid Exercise

It's six in the morning. The alarm that you so determinedly set last night is screaming relentlessly, making you aware even through your slumber that you had vowed to start jogging to do something about that beer belly. Then you stop that godforsaken alarm and promise yourself that tomorrow shall be that golden day when you will embark on a journey towards sculpting a washboard tummy. Sounds familiar? Most of us are not found lacking when it comes to inventing excuses for not exercising. Sometimes we are in too much of a hurry, sometimes too tired, with the end result being chronic procrastination and an unfit body. We do owe it to ourselves to keep ourselves fit and that can be only achieved by busting these excuses ourselves.

Here's how to tackle some common excuses:

1. I am dead tired

When our body gets tired, more often than not the mind tends to follow suit and one inevitably ducks out of a workout. Next time that happens, use some (okay, maybe lots of) willpower and lift your butt off the couch. When you start walking on that treadmill you used until now to dry clothes, you will start feeling energised and you will succeed in increasing your stamina.

2. I am in a hurry and do need some time for my family

This will keep happening daily. If you need to hold your own in a competitive world, you simply have to fight fatigue and exercise helps you do just that. Treat your workout or jog as a daily chore that has to be done. Even if you manage to find just fifteen minutes a day, make sure that you keep aside that time every single day for exercise. When your body gets accustomed to this, you will realize that your capacity to face the daily rough and tumble of life is increasing and you will end up looking at irksome tasks more positively. Your family will like spending time with you much more if you are full of energy and zest for life.

3. I am tense

Exercise is an excellent way of reducing tension. Mental stress does have a way of working its way into our muscles. Involving ourselves in a productive activity, say weight training, takes our mind off our worries for a while, besides strengthening our muscles. A good workout releases endorphins in our body, and we end up feeling good about ourselves.

4. I am too old to exercise

Age is most of the time just a mental factor. Our self consciousness about our increasing age is what makes us older. One should discard the thought that old age brings with itself all sorts of limitations. Regular exercise is a sure technique for the seniors to give those young tykes a run for their money in all respects.

5. I might get injured

Whenever we try something for the first time, it is always wise to consult an expert. The same applies to exercise. Seek out a qualified trainer and pay heed to what he says and you will have little chance of any injury. You might feel some pain for the first few days of an exercise regime after years of being a couch potato but that is totally normal and no reason for you to quit.