The top 10 Excuses Not to Exercise

Recently I conducted a study where I gave 20 people free personal training sessions with a delicious meal plan to see how much weight they can lose in 40 days by testing my new Get Fit 4 Christ program.

The results were amazing, out of the 20 people, four lost an average of 12 pounds during the study.  What happen to the other 16 you ask?  They all quit, gave up, throw in the towel and had all kinds of excuses. 

When it comes to ways to avoid exercise, people do a great job at convincing themselves 'not' to take action.

Here are the 10 reasons people use to stay away from the gym and 10 of my comebacks to these silly cop-outs.

  1.       I don't have time

If you have the time to watch TV or to browse the internet, then you have time to exercise. An effective workout can be as quick as 30 minutes; schedule it in your daily planner if you need to.

  2.      I can't afford it

If you can afford to drink alcohol or eat out, then you can afford a personal trainer. If you can't afford a personal trainer then there are gyms that cost as little as $10 per month or you can go running or cycling for free. Plus, there are tons of inspirational bodyweight workouts you can find on the internet.

  3.      I'm too tired

The reason you are tired is because you are out of shape! When you get fit, you have more energy and sleep better,

  4.      I'm too old

You're never too old to start. In fact weight training is extremely important for older people to prevent muscle loss and particularly for women to prevent osteoporosis. 60% of people over 60 can't stand up without any help.   Exercise helps prevent this, keeping you strong and coordinated and preventing injuries and falls.

  5.      I hate gyms.

Then train outside for free or use a personal trainer in a private studio.

  6.      I don't want to get bulky

I hear this from lot of women. The fact of the matter is that the majority of women are not capable of getting bulky no matter how much they train. A good example is when you are baking bread. The bread is the muscle and the yeast is the testosterone needed in order for the bread to rise. Women simply don't have anywhere near the amount of testosterone that men do.

  7.      My back hurts

Building strength in your back and core, which is not just the abs, is the number one best way of helping and preventing back pain. Derrill Martin who just came off two back surgeries says  “it is good to be active again.  My back has responded well and I feel stronger and stronger each day.”

  8.      I'm too fat

I need to get fit before I start exercise. This has to be the funniest excuse!  Basically what people are saying is that they need to get fit before they can start the activities they need to get fit! Weight training is low impact and is very effective way of burning fat and building muscle which will, in turn, burn fat all day long.  Just start from where you are. Join a fitness class, the gym, a personal trainer and simply do it.

  9.      I don't have the right workout gear

You don't need to spend a whole lot of cash on expensive equipment, just wear whatever old T-shirt and running shoes you have in your wardrobe to get out and get started.  Do make sure you have the right running shoes to avoid shin splints.

    10.   I just got my hair done

“Never!  Heart before hair.” says fitness guru Jeanette Jenkins.  “Be intelligent about it, schedule getting your hair done around your workout schedule. If you have longer hair, pin curls and a head wrap will preserve your style. For shorter hair, a wrap will work.”

 Lyle Johnson certified personal trainer and owner of St. Louis based MVP Fitness; he gives workshops and runs MVP Boot Camp. He is also the author of Get Fit 4 Christ.  Before engaging in any exercise program, consult with your doctor. The materials and comments discussed in this article are to be considered general information only and may not apply to your particular health situation. For more information, log onto www.getfit4christ.com or www.mvpfitness.net.  He can be reached at lyle@mvpfitness.net or call 314-831-7505.