The 10 Worst Excuses

I'm a nice guy and hate to make waves, but as a trainer, I only do my clients a disservice when I accept their excuses. Here are some of the most common excuses I have heard (and sometimes even used myself) when it comes to fitness. Remember you can either have excuses or results, but not both. 

10. I don't like to exercise. Then find some form of physical activity that you do enjoy. Try gardening, hiking, biking, or playing a sport. You'd be surprised how addicting exercise can be once you get the endorphins flowing. 

9. I'm not in good enough shape to go to the gym- That's like saying you will go to Church once you are perfect. There may be some intimidating physiques at the gym, but don't compare yourself to them. You are only in competition with yourself. By the way, guess how those fit people got that way? They went to the gym when they didn't feel like it.

8.  I don't want to bulk up and get big like the guys- Ladies, unless you are injecting steroids, eating 5,000 calories a day, and lifting hard several hours ever day, you will never bulk up like a man. That's like me saying I don't want to get a manicure because I'm scared it will make me look like Miss America.

7. I don't have anything to wear/ Don't want to get sweaty- (I'm done picking on the women after this.) That excuse would be valid if we were talking about going to a photo shoot, but we are talking about exercise. Unless you are wearing a clown suit or some totally immodest outfit, nobody will even notice what you are wearing.

6. I don't know what exercises to do- Sometimes all the equipment and machines in the gym can be overwhelming and confusing, but you can learn the exercises quickly. Don't be afraid to ask someone how a specific machine works. There are also tons of good exercise sources and tutorials online. Just doing anything is still better than inactivity. It's hard to steer a parked car.

5. Exercising is boring- Then make it more fun. Listen to music or workout with a friend. Try something new! Run a 5 K if you haven't before. Add some purpose to your workout by seeing how many calories you can burn or how far you can run in a certain amount of time. Keep track of your results and try to break your own records. Having a goal to work towards is more exciting than just walking on a treadmill for half an hour like a robot.

4. I have a slow metabolism or a thyroid problem- This may be a legitimate concern for some people, but too many people like to play the victim with this excuse as a way to justify not getting results. Don't blame a gland if you are overeating and not exercising. 

3. I just can't get motivated- Some people claim to be too lazy or say they don't have enough will power to work out or eat right. Share your goals with a spouse or friend so you have some accountability. Use some appropriate rewards to motivate you. Lack of motivation is one of the reasons people use a trainer. If all else fails and you still can't get motivated, stand in front of the mirror naked and open your eyes!

2. I can't afford it- First of all, you don't need a gym membership to workout. There are tons of free activities that you can do. On the other hand, people will blow all kinds of money on clothing, recreation, and entertainment, but they often penny pinch when it comes to something really important like their health. The long term consequences of neglecting your health are much more expensive than any preventative measures you may take today.

1. I don't have enough time- Everyone has 24 hours in their day. Working out does not have to take a lot of time to be effective. Choosing to take care of your body is a great way to make sure it will be working for you for years down the road. Making fitness a priority also gives you a higher quality of life today.