Excuses for not exercising are the best. They’re fun, imaginative and – much like the old ‘dog ate my homework’ trick – they’re also completely transparent. Here are 10 of my favourites, as well as some rebuttal for you to use next time you find yourself in an internal argument about whether or not you’re going to the gym.
I’m just really, REALLY busy. I don’t have time for exercise.
Ahhh hello? You’re on the computer READING THIS BLOG – looks like you have some time after all. In case you missed the memo (and you really are that busy), remember it’s quality over quantity when it comes to training. Read this post on Tabata training to discover just how much good you can do in only four minutes!
<insert whiny voice here> But I exercised earlier in the week/month/decade
Sadly, you’ll need to exercise more than once a week to see any sort of real difference in fitness/strength/on the scales . Don’t be discouraged by this shocking revelation though. Aim for 3-4 times per week and start today by trying this 30-minute lunchtime workout – you might be surprised at how much you enjoy it!
Are you kidding? It’s too cold to exercise!
Basic science tells us that when you exercise, you’re producing energy. The result – glorious heat! Try to think of exercise as similar to laying next to an open fire with a glass of red wine, but much better for your waistline.
The day got away from me, but I will totally exercise tomorrow.
Will you? I mean really, WILL YOU? Getting fit, losing weight, gaining lean muscle – it’s all about forming healthy habits. Once you start breaking those promises to yourself, you’re in trouble. Just get up and go now would you?
Ohhhh my arm/leg/stomach hurts a bit. Maybe.
This is an actual excuse – I’m not even kidding. Seriously, when you can’t even entirely convince yourself with your excuses, you know you’re in trouble. That’s not to say that you should train when you are legitimately injured – but when you’re willing illness upon yourself just to avoid a spin class it might be time to take a look at your attitude…
I ate really healthily today, so I don’t need to exercise.
I can’t even begin to make sense of this one. Balanced nutrition and a good exercise plan should go hand in hand. While it’s true that food is a huge portion of the weight loss battle (some suggest upwards of 70%), eating well does not excuse you from that HIIT session you had planned. In fact, eating well will ensure you perform at your peak, and you’ll walk away from the session feeling better than ever!
I’m too unfit to exercise
Hahaha I love this one! Let me let you in on a little secret – fit people didn’t come out of the womb able to run 10km. In fact, most of them struggled to even crawl for the first six or seven months. This just in: the only way to get fit is to exercise! Start slowly, and if you’re not confident, hire a personal trainer to show you the ropes.
I’m too fat to exercise
See a doctor for clearance before commencing your exercise program, and hire a trainer to ensure professional guidance every step of the way. Other than that, please refer above to I’m too unfit to exercise.
It’s way too hot outside
OK – I’ll give you this one. Heat is a legitimate concern, especially in Australia’s often harsh summer. You can work around it though, by keeping well hydrated or training in the air-conditioned comfort of a gym. And if you do have to venture out, ensure you slip, slop, slap and keep a water bottle handy at all times.
I just really hate exercise
This is a tough one, because it can be difficult to argue with blind hatred. But let me tell you of something I like to remind my clients of occasionally – exercise is not necessarily meant to be pleasant. That’s not to say that some people don’t love it (me included) but does it hurt? Hell yeah! Try to find something you enjoy doing – it could be bushwalking, golf, trampolining, or stand-up paddleboarding to name just a few. Or enlist the help of a friend to train/walk or run with you – sometimes you just need to take your mind off the fact that you’re exercising.
That’s it! 10 of my favourite excuses for not exercising, taken straight from the mouths of real people. If you’ve got any more doozies, please drop me a line – I’m always up for a laugh.
Happy Friday!
I often prioritise wine over exercise. Is that an excuse or a priority?
That probably depends on whether you’re writing a post on wine or exercise. In this particular case, I think you’re giving me my first idea for a post I will entitle ‘My next 10 favourite exercise excuses’…