7 Common Exercise Excuses You Need To Stop Today

*Courtesy of Emily Skye

Over the years I have come across many excuses why people can’t workout. It’s amazing what people come up with when they don’t want to do something. In fact, I can remember when I used to make every excuse under the sun why I couldn’t make it to the gym or get my workout in. “I’m too tired”, “It’s boring”, “It’s too expensive” were all some of the common excuses I used to make. If this sounds like you, here are some of the most common exercise excuses you need to stop today so that you can start working towards your health and fitness goals.

1. I’m too tired.
This used to be my go-to excuse when I did not want to go to the gym. Now, you shouldn’t run yourself into exhaustion, but if this is a common excuse for you, it’s time to say goodbye. Sometimes we aren’t at our best, but remember, you don’t always have to give it 110%. Showing up and doing something is way better than not doing anything at all. Once you miss one workout, then you are far more likely to fall into the trap of missing the next. Did you know exercise can actually help by giving you energy and waking you up? Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, so you will actually often end up feeling better AFTER the workout.

2. The gym is too expensive.
A gym membership can definitely be expensive, but don’t let that be the reason you aren’t getting fit and healthy. There are plenty of things you can do that doesn’t involve a costly membership. That’s why, in my F.I.T. programs I give the option of workouts you can do at home with minimal investment in equipment. You can also pick up cheap second-hand equipment if you want to save on costs. I have also plenty of ‘no equipment workouts’ on my YouTube channel that you can do at home. There are plenty of options that won’t cost much, so don’t let money be an excuse.

3. But exercise is so boring.
You can love exercise or you can hate it. It just depends on how you go about it. If you find exercise boring and you are using this as an excuse from getting fit and healthy, then it’s time to shake things up a little. Exercise doesn’t need to be boring or something you find a chore. You just need to find something you enjoy. Perhaps it’s picking up a social sport or getting a buddy to workout with you could help. Start looking for ways you can make it fun.

4. I don’t have enough time.
Everyone is busy. The major difference between someone who exercises and some who doesn’t isn’t that they have more time. It’s just that they make exercise a priority in their daily schedule. If not having enough time is your main excuse, perhaps it’s time to sit down and reshuffle a few things in your calendar to start scheduling in your exercise sessions. Exercise doesn’t need to take hours upon hours either. In fact, you can get effective workouts in 10 to 20 minutes. Check out my 10-minute F.I.T. Blaster workout program here.

5. I don’t know how to train properly.
If you are new to exercise, it can feel a little daunting when you first start out. But don’t let something new and unknown stop you from achieving what you want. All experts were beginners once and everyone has to start somewhere. There are so many different resources online that can help.

6. I’m worried about being judged by experienced gym goers
Everybody has to start somewhere. Any experienced gym goer who has been working out for some time has been a beginner too. Those with experience are too busy with their own workouts to pay attention to what anyone else is doing. So stop worrying about what people will think, and just get to it.

7. I’m not motivated enough
Guess what? You aren’t born with motivation to do something. In fact, motivation is something you actually need to work at on a daily basis. Not having any motivation is not a good excuse. If the overall task or goal is a bit too overwhelming, break it down into smaller, more manageable chunks. Once you achieve one small thing, then you will feel motivated to keep going, and so and so on. There are days that I don’t want to workout or go to the gym, but then I always go back to my goals and remember how good being fit and healthy makes me feel.

So no more excuses!! Now is the time to get fit and healthy and become the best person you can possibly be.