Have you had a hard time getting started with exercise or continuing to exercise? You are not alone. Though this is a common concern, there are many different reasons. The good news is, there is help out there. I have included some of the most common challenges I have come across. See if any of the below relate to you…
Common Barriers to Exercise:
1. Don’t know where to start or what to do.
–First off, remember you do NOT have to be a “jock” or workout like crazy for it to count as exercise. The MAJORITY of people do NOT want to do that or need to that. In fact, there are many ways to improve your health and well-being with physical activity. Yes, some people like hard core structured workouts at the gym or with videos or specialized equipment. Still, others prefer more gentle movements or they prefer natural activities such as walking or gardening or social dancing or jumping waves on the beach.
–Try wearing a pedometer and counting your daily steps. If you are active at work, you can see it on the pedometer & pat yourself on the back – get credit for working out while working! Otherwise, see how many steps you take in a “normal day” and increase a little either in distance or speed once a week . Maybe walk the dog a little farther or faster.
–Getting up & down from a stable chair or the side of a bed is great for the legs and your core. It is also helpful in decreasing the risk of falls as we get older.
–Dance to your favorite music or do some crunches during TV commercials. In other words, make your time work double for you.
–Find some books, DVD’s, online videos & blogs. Look up body weight exercises if you do not want any special equipment. There are various levels of exercise options.
–Also, there are always the trainers either at the gym or who make house calls that can help put a program together for you. Find a trainer that understands your goals — or you may find yourself being pushed harder than necessary for your health benefit goals.
–If you like to workout with others, you may want a workout partner, a class or a gym membership. You may even find someone at the gym or at school or work that already works out and really knows what they are doing. They are often happy to help you.
–Bottom line, pick something you want to try & just go for it. You will find what works for you eventually. The fun part is trying different things that sound interesting to you & moving forward closer to your fitness & health goals.
2. Injury early on.
–This is especially common in people who used to workout or be physically fit in the past and then had a period of time where they were deconditioned. It is NOT because you are getting older most of the time. It is because your muscles have memory and regain their strength quickly on return to exercise, however your joints do not suddenly get younger and smoother. Your muscles “beg” you to increase their workout rapidly. Your joints need a slower ramp up to catch up to what your muscles can do. That is why you should increase your exercise training no more than 10 percent total intensity in a week. Otherwise, you run the risk of joint injury, feeling “old” and having to interrupt your workout plans.
–The other group with injury early on are often doing a workout that is not right for them or that is being done incorrectly. This is a good time to seek out help. For example, schedule to meet with a physical therapist, work with a personal trainer, exercise physiologist, or a physician with additional training (physician specializing in Physical Medicine & Rehab, Sports Medicine or any physician with a strong history & interest in exercise training). Find out what you are doing wrong & fix it.
–Recommend early intervention.
3. Previous joint injury.
–Again, as in #2, seek out help. Make sure you know what exercises are right for you, and learn how to do them correctly and how to progress forward. If you need surgical intervention, find out now.
–Do move it. Blood circulation helps healing. Make sure you continue to move forward. Your joints will get stiff & crusty if you don’t keep moving forward.
–As you move your joints, you smooth out the roughened surfaces if there is some arthritis. Worst case, your need for a joint replacement or surgical intervention may still be necessary, but best case, you rehab your joint & defer or eliminate the need for a joint replacement or surgical intervention.
4. Boredom.
–Find friends, blogs, DVD’s, classes, clubs, groups that are doing different things and try them out.
–Schedule & plan for variety in your plan. For example, schedule a workout plan or trial period of 2 weeks and then assess & then plan the next 2 weeks.
–Get a workout buddy you like to spend time with. Being with someone, feeling good about yourselves together, is VERY motivating and powerful!
5. Burnt out.
–You may have advanced your workouts too quickly or started with too much. Take your time. You have your whole life to continue to improve.
–You should feel energized after your workout and look forward to your next workout. If you are dreading your workout or drained after your workout, that is a sign of burn out.
6. Not enough time.
–We all have enough hours in a day. IF a president can work out, we can probably find the time. MOST high powered executives and professionals also workout. People who workout tend to make more money than those who don’t.
–Often, because we have to schedule in the workout, we find we have more time in the day because we plan our time better.
–That being said, working out does take time. However, good news is that workouts don’t have to take a lot of time. There is a 7 minute workout that has been scientifically proven to be as effective as the traditional longer workouts, working strength for the whole body & cardio. There are short yoga sequences & exercise programs on DVD, online and on smartphone apps.
7. Haven’t found an activity that is pleasurable.
–See #4.
–Find a workout buddy or online community and workout together, share ideas. The human body is made to move. That is why we have muscles and joints. There is something out there that you will enjoy. It’s like dating…there is someone for everyone, and there are enjoyable exercise options for everyone.
8. Can’t afford it, ie. gym membership or equipment cost.
–Look at garage sales/yard sales, online auctions or Craig’sList for equipment.
–Get a job at a gym part-time.
–Find exercises that don’t require equipment. Again, the 7 minute workout does not require equipment. Modify the exercises to your level of fitness (I never step up & down from a chair, but use a step).
–Share the cost of equipment or DVD’s with a workout buddy or group of buddies.
–Borrow workout DVDs from the video store or from your local library.
9. Scared of injury.
–Get a trainer, workout with someone.
–Take your time learning the proper techniques.
–Advance your workout slowly.
10. Embarrassed to be seen.
–Remember, this often changes when you see other people just like you.
–You can also choose to start out at home or go to the gym during off hours.
–Really, in a gym, everyone is usually pretty positive about everyone at the gym because when we work out, the endorphins (feel good chemicals in our bodies) are surging through our systems.
11. Schedule is erratic. Can’t get into a regular regimen, traveling frequently, in a new relationship interfering with usual workout time.
–If possible, find something that is regular in your schedule, ie. you brush your teeth every night. Plan your exercise to be linked to that. For example, I brush my teeth in the morning when my alarm goes off & hop in the shower, so I will plan to schedule a workout at the same time. If my workout is 35 minutes, I will set the alarm 35 minutes prior to my usual waking time. To compensate, I will move my bedtime up by 35 minutes the night before or make sure I can fit in a nap or make up sleep time by going to bed earlier the next night.
12. Too tired.
–Make sure there is no medical reason you are too tired, such as anemia, thyroid disorder, etc.
–This may also be a sign of depression or excessive stress. Both may improve with exercise.
–This also more commonly is due to not enough hours of sleep, deconditioning (which means you should be working out), &/or too many carbohydrates in your diet.
13. No babysitter.
–Find a gym with a free babysitting service.
–See if another parent you trust would trade workout times with you: you watch their kid(s) while they workout and they watch your kid(s) while you work out.
–Work out before the kids wake up or after they go to sleep or during their naps if they have regular naps.
–Incorporate your children into your workout: ie. jogger stroller, babycarrier.
–Find a reliable teenager to watch your kid(s) while you workout at home or outside the home.
14. Active at work or running around after kids.
–If you are really that active, get credit for it. Wear a pedometer or accelerometer or even a heart rate monitor.
–If you are walking 10,000 steps daily or more, you should pat yourself on the back, you really are running around alot! Great job!
15. Gym is not convenient: doesn’t open early enough, closes too early or is too far away.
–Sounds like that is not the right place for you to be signed up. Find a way to make it a part of your routine to go out that way or shift your time to exercise. If not, find another gym or another way to exercise.
16. Need to shower after, doesn’t fit in my day.
–Again, this is about scheduling. Either not enough time or no shower avail. This is commonly noted when people plan to workout over their lunch break. If you will need to shower after & you are not comfortable with a sponging off over a sink or you don’t have enough time, then find your alternative. I like the early morning because it means I only need to shower once for the day. I workout & shower & get ready for work & off I go.
17. “Don’t feel like it.”
–Well, it’s usually because of one of the above reasons. If you are social, you need other people or you need to find a way that the workout time does not take away from time with other people. If you are more private, you may want to workout at home or when & where there are fewer people around or workout only with a single workout buddy. If you like being outdoors or being in nature, find outdoor activities. If you like music, find exercises that you can do with music or that require music. If you like lists or calendars, put your workout on the list/calendar so that you will do it & cross it off – it feels so good to cross off a ‘to do.”
Finally, I can tell you that the majority of people feel better when they are regularly moving their bodies. Your movement helps circulate body fluids, keeping you “younger” longer and often reversing signs of aging such as arthritis. Your mood is better & you can accomplish more. Give it at least 4 weeks to really see obvious benefits and body changes. There is nothing quite like being successful and doing something so profoundly good for you. Remember, this is for your lifetime. Enjoy the process.
Today’s Physical Activity Notes:
Elements to look for in a week of an excellent workout program for you:
Health Booster 