Too Many Excuses

You know you should be exercising - so why don't you? Well, there are many excuses that people may use...other than the one that "I just don't want to!"

Let's look at a few of them:

• It's Boring - Well, yes. It probably will be boring if you're not getting up, getting out, and really moving! There must be some kind of exercise that you enjoy: swimming, walking, bicycling or playing tennis. Trying bringing a friend with you. Listen to a portable tape/CD player. Or find an interesting place to walk like the mall. You can exercise and window shop at the same time!
   
• It's to hard - Try easing off a little. Exercise shouldn't make you sore or tire you out to the point of quitting. Don't start out with the highest repetitions or the fastest walking speed.
   
• It takes too much time - Think about the benefits of exercise vs. the time it takes. Can you find half an hour a day to do something that will help you live longer and feel better? Combine exercise with things you have to do anyway like walking the dog, mowing the lawn or gardening.
   
• It hurts - You should not be exercising to the point of pain. As mentioned before, start out slowly and work your way up to the more intensive exercise. Switch types of exercise often by replacing your bicycling with walking, then swimming or whatever your choices of exercise may be.
   
• It's too expensive - Hmmm. I bet you know what I'm going to say about that! How expensive is it to walk? You don't have to pay big bucks for an exercise class or gym. And you don't need to buy the biggest, baddest bicycle. Enough said.
   
• Exercise isn't helping - Helping what? How do you know it's not doing you any good? It takes time to really see some results. Each time you exercise, it will become easier to go farther, faster or longer. That means it IS working!

So, if you are finding excuses for not exercising, just use the true one - you don't feel like it. Don't force yourself to do a kind of exercise that you don't enjoy. Instead find ways to exercise that are right for you.

For yoga beginners, an ideal device would be to relax and give your self into it. Do not worry about the dumb bells or the winsor pilates. Concentrate on the yoga itself. It can be pretty addicting, leading you to getting a home gym complete with a stepper and a treadmill, all for yourself.