The Top 10 Excuses for NOT Exercising Daily

According to Statistics Canada, only 16% of Canadian adults are getting the recommended amount of physical activity (150 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity per week). That means 84% of the adult population is not active enough. (from ParticipAction)

Physical inactivity costs to Canadians 6.8 billion every year and affects 8 in 10 adults.

Being active means you are less at risk for:

  • heart diseases
  • cancer
  • diabetes
  • obesity
  • high cholesterol and blood pressure
  • stroke
  • osteoporosis and risk of breaking bones in case of falls
  • depression and anxiety

We all have reasons for not exercising and I truly believe that there are solutions for every problems.

Here is a quick list. Tell me if it resonates with you!

Excuse #10: I’m too old
Solution #1: My oldest client was 98 years old and she worked out until she passed! You are the only that decides when you become too old to exercise!
Solution #2: Exercise can be adapted to your fitness level. In a class setting, I give options which allow everyone to adapt the exercises to their level.
Solution #3: Do the exercises that you still enjoy doing. It may be fitness in a chair and or chair yoga, but just do it!

Excuse #9: It is too cold.
Solution #1: It is only too cold when we don’t dress for it! Wear layers and add the hat! We lose a lot of heat through our bare heads.
Solution #2: When I was working in Quebec, I loved to go for walks on my lunch breaks. At -30C, I just had to wear my snow pants, mittens and tuque and I was comfortable. When we move, we are not cold.

Excuse #8: I don’t like sweating.
A lot of women don’t like sweating; you are not alone. There are ways to workout without breaking a sweat.
Solution #1: Do it first thing in the morning when it is cool outside and before your shower.
Solution #2: Work out where there is air conditioning.
Solution #3: Exercise after sunset when it gets cooler.
Solution #4: Go swimming instead.

Excuse #7: I’m in too much pain.
Solution #1: I train people with chronic pain everyday. Exercises can be modified, and options can be given. The keys for success are to develop a relationship with the instructor and then trust their suggested modifications.
Solution #2: Actually, regular moderate exercise will decrease inflammation, increase blood flow, and reduce your overall pain.

Excuse #6: I don’t have motivation to work out on my own.
Solution #1: Get a personal trainer.
Solution #2: Join fitness classes.
Solution #3: Find friends to work out with.
Solution #4: Organize a small group of people and hire a trainer.
Solution #5: Find groups on Facebook or Meet Up and join them. I have met amazing people through these groups and we are still friends today.

Excuse #5: I don’t know where to start.
Solution #1: That’s why you can hire me as your trainer to get you started on an easy program to follow.
Solution #2: Work out with a trainer 2-3 times per week. I have had the same clients for years. When they start, they cannot stop! They have a commitment with me and themselves. I make it fun and when they get results, it is rewarding for both of us.

Excuse #4: I don’t like working out in front of people.
Solution #1: You can work out at home using videos. I have created several packages. Examine them here.
Solution #2: Get a mobile trainer to work out in the comfort of your home.

Excuse #3: I’m too tired.
That should be the reason to start exercising. It will improve you physical and mental energy levels.
Solution #1: Start slowly with low to moderate intensity exercises such as yoga or walks and increase the activities progressively.
Solution #2: Be active when you are at the most energetic time of your day. For me, is is in the morning.
Solution #3: Find a friend willing to share your activity. Together you can motivate each other. The shared commitment will motivate both of you to exercise.

Excuse #2: I can’t afford paying a membership at a gym or hire a personal trainer.
Solution #1: There are free activities you can do such as walking, playing tennis, hiking, etc. Here is a list of 30 free activities to try.
Solution #2: Meet up with a friend to exercise.
Solution #3: Check for free events in your community. Castanet and KelownaNow are good resources.

Excuse #1: I’m too busy, I don’t have time.
This is the most common excuse and I completely understand it. I see my friends with a full-time job, 2 kids, and 2 dogs! Yes, life is busy and it is all about finding time.
Solution #1: Start with 10 minutes a day and increase it every week by 1 minute.
Solution #2: Do you spend anytime in front of the TV? Convert that activity into exercise. Instead of just siting on the couch, grab elastic bands and weights and work out.
Solution #3: Set up recurrent events calendar on your phone to remind you of your exercise times. When you schedule your exercise, you have a greater chance of doing it.
Solution #4: Wake up before everyone else in the household and do your work out while the coffee is brewing.
Solution #5: Wait when everyone else is in bed.
Solution #6: Do it at lunch time.
Solution #7: Work out when the kids are napping.
Solution #8: Do it with your kids! Walk to the park, play soccer, ride bicycles with them, etc.

I have tools as well to help you “Get Back On Track”.
Training calendar & Goal setting PDF to print out
The 7 best free workout & fitness apps for tracking & planning

Exercising every day should become a habit just like one of my clients who eats pizza every Wednesday! If people can create habits about food, they can also do it about adding regular physical activities in their daily routines; it is always a matter of choices.