Survey: Excuses, Excuses...

[lara34]

I've been working out for 7 months now, and it has become part of my lifestyle. I can't imagine being sedentary day in and day out, and working so hard to make excuses why I can't do it. My workout routine is like brushing my teeth. I find the time to do it, and it is a necessary function in maintaining my self, just like taking a shower. I also love the added benefits of stress relief and meeting new friends, and discovering new muscles I never knew I had!

Now, in the spirit of January, with hoards of people following their new year resolutions, and everyone on the fitness bandwagon, it is fun to watch people try to commit to their new habits. For anyone just starting out, I wish you the best and I am on your side.

I thought it would be an interesting post for everyone to contribute what excuses they have heard (or have used themselves) on reasons why people can't work out. Once we get through the most common ones, I'm sure we'll hear some good ones, and perhaps they will have a motivating effect for all!

So here we go with some of the most common.

1. Not enough time in the day.
2. I'm too fat to work out.
3. I'll be the only one at the gym who is out of shape.
4. I have to get in shape before I can go out in public.
5. I go to work before the club opens and work until after they close.
6. I'm too tired.
7. I lift a lot at work and get plenty of exercise there.
8. I have....(insert ailment) asthma, plantar fascitis, scarlet fever, gas
9. I'm too old.

My personal favorite -- from my MIL, trying to discourage me from working out -- is...

10. My best friend always worked out and she had muscles and did the aerobics thing, and you know, she died of cancer. So I don't work out and I don't have cancer......

[Cort]

I've had problems with 5. My campus provides free gym access for students, but since I worked the 2-10 shift 4 days a week, with a class from 1-1:50, with the weight room opening up at 12:45, and being closed on Sundays...I was pretty lucky to get 2 days a week in the gym. I had to compensate by eating less, running more, and doing more bodyweight work at home, but none of those really provide the same feeling a good day in the gym does. Sort of sucks what a good set of weights costs though, even if I had the money right now I have nowhere to put one at home, so I'm stuck relying on my gym and its shizzy hours. I was more prepared for this semester though so I've made sure I can get at least 3-4 days in this time around.

[Lucky13MN]

Mine...

Just don't feel like it, I'll make it up tomorrow.

[sillyme]

Originally Posted by lara34

2. I'm too fat to work out.
6. I'm too tired.

I tell myself those all the time!

[Gartrell]

The one i hear from guys who don't want to lift with my football team is "dude, i can't, I'm lifting with my dad/grandpa/uncle/at the ymca/at a gym". I've also heard "oops, i forgot my workout clothes" a lot. There were several instances in which I had to ask around for shorts. Imagine yours truly in medium/small shorts... Anything for a good workout though!

[oneeighty]

4. I have to get in shape before I can go out in public

Used this one, but not as an excuse - it was motivation for me ! For first couple of weeks I was embarassed to exercise in public, but I had my daily 45-minutes exercise sessions at home...

[skyman]

How about:

Today would be a good rest day.

[Lady C]

Excuse 11.
I spent too much time in front of the computer and now I have to shower so I'm not late for work. I need a device that shocks me in the but if I sit there past 5:10am

[sooner_ed]

It was raining outside so I couldn't go down to my den to work out.

[lara34]

Yeah, I hear you....i've used these all before. I think it's ok to take days off, just not weeks, months, years, you know?

Personally, I had to make a financial choice and choose between my gym membership and my broadband internet service. Let's just say that my internet was making my behind flatter.....so the gym won.

It's so tough to stop yourself once you feel the urge to say "BUT I CAN'T BECAUSE..."

Let's face it, we all have different workout preferences, and the same thing does not work for everyone.

Some people feel more comfortable at home, lifting weights or doing aerobics tapes. Others may not get the privacy they need from family, a babysitter for their kids, or enough space to move without running into the furniture.

Many people like the company of others, taking aerobics, pilates, or yoga classes, and the inspiration of someone saying "hey, see you tomorrow".

Some swear that they have to have a workout buddy and just can't do it alone. If the buddy gives up, that's the end of their workouts as well.

For access to really nice equipment and weights, you have to go to a gym, and then deal with the hours they are open, how much it costs, how inadequate we feel around others, getting hit on, waiting in line for the equipment, etc.

Or you can buy really expensive equipment, use it as a clothes rack, and sell it in your annual garage sale after you trip over it and break your little toe.

But for some reason, a number of us get past all this. Even though we have occasional excuses, we still develop the discipline required to make it happen. We know that although we're taking today off, that we'll be back at it tomorrow, and we mean it!

[CF-OC_gal]

How about.

"I'm the same weight I was when I got married and I can still wear the same size jeans I wore in high school. So what if I can't climb a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing or do 10 push ups! That's normal. "

[Cort]

Originally Posted by Brat

How about.

"I'm the same weight I was when I got married and I can still wear the same size jeans I wore in high school. So what if I can't climb a flight of stairs without huffing and puffing or do 10 push ups! That's normal. "

lol, I'm actually taking this PE and nutrition course right now, many of the girls couldn't do a real push-up. They were all like "I got half!...on the way down..."

[Firehawk]

Sounds like me a year ago LOL

[Pelon]

Injury would definitely make my list of things that keep me from working out. When you injure one part of the body, it often can keep you from exercising the unaffected areas. I think this is especially true for beginners.

[lara34]

Originally Posted by Pelon

Injury would definitely make my list of things that keep me from working out. When you injure one part of the body, it often can keep you from exercising the unaffected areas. I think this is especially true for beginners.

True, this is a valid excuse, unless you fall on the way to the buffet...

The beginner thing -- You know when you first get the lactic acid going in your muscles and wake up the next day after your first real effort, with every muscle in your body frozen solid and aching.....this makes many people throw in the towel.

Now I LOVE that pain, but that's just me!
Lara