Even during the pandemic you can still see a lot of people working out in fitness centers and gyms like Mountainside Fitness and Retro Fitness. But surprisingly, an estimated 60% of adults in the United States don’t get the recommended amount of physical activity, while about a fourth of the adult population are not getting any exercise at all.
Now we all know exercise is good for the mind and body, right? So how come there are still many who choose not to? If you’re one of them and would like to change course, we first need to figure out why you don’t exercise and how this can be addressed:
Reason 1: You don’t enjoy it.
Any workout or exercise is hard at the beginning. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you the same thing. But when you become more consistent, your strength and endurance also improve.
Moreover, there are many kinds of exercise, and you don’t always have to commit to the first one you try. You can, for example, go for group classes, home workouts, enroll in a gym, train for a 5km run, join a swim class, etc.
Reason 2: You lose motivation.
One of the biggest reasons people don’t exercise is because they give up easily. When they don’t notice any changes in themselves, they lose the motivation and will to continue. Remember, it often takes 12 weeks to see any marked change in your body. If you feel like wanting to quit, maybe it’s time to change up your exercise routine.
Reason 3: You don’t know how to exercise.
As a beginner, working out can be intimidating. There are so many machines you can see in the gym and you probably don’t know how to use them. Moreover, not all machines are designed for everyone – you have to know which ones will work best for the goals you want. We recommend you get a personal trainer who can create a workout plan for you and show you how to perform each exercise and use the machines to get the best results.
Reason 4: You have young kids at home.
If you have young children then you may feel like you don’t have time to exercise. You’ll be busy taking care of them, preparing them for school, attending school events, helping them with homework and so much more. But this doesn’t mean you can’t workout. Make your health a priority too. The key to making this happen is planning ahead.
Reason 5: You’re too stressed.
It’s ironic how so many people use stress as a reason not to exercise when it is in fact a good way to help you manage stress and improve your mental health. Ever notice how good you feel after a workout? That’s the endorphins working! The more you exercise, the less stressed you’ll be.
Reason 6: You don’t have time for it.
You’re daily schedule might seem like you can’t squeeze in a workout. If this is the case, why not exercise 10 minutes at a time 3x a day? Splitting your workouts make it more manageable and they are just as effective. Wake up a bit earlier and take a quick walk around your neighborhood. On your lunchbreak take 10 minutes to walk up and down the stairs instead of taking the elevator. And then take another short walk after dinner. Do this every day and pretty soon you’ll be more energized, look better, and definitely feel better.