Now that Christmas is over, the New Year is already upon us. And we all know what that means. It’s that time of the year again where we make a promise to ourselves to eat healthier, start working out, and live an active lifestyle. But even before the new year starts, we already know that it just won’t happen. There are so many invincible obstacles that make exercising consistently so hard.
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So today, we’ll take a look into the most common reasons why people can’t commit to a healthy, active lifestyle. We’ll breakdown each one and come up with ways to address the issue. But first, you need to understand why committing to exercising consistently is an important life decision.
Why Should You Exercise Regularly?
Did you know that engaging in regular physical activity can lengthen your life expectancy by up to 4.5 years? Yes, you heard that right. This is according to a study by the National Cancer Institute in 2012. But not only that but exercising also makes us happier and healthier both physically and mentally. But If this is the case, why is it so hard to consistently exercise?
“I don’t have time,” is the most common reason why people can’t commit to exercising. Having a really busy schedule in school or at work takes time away from needed for exercising. And a lot of times, our minds are preoccupied with other tasks that we forget to take care of ourselves.
If you’re one of these people who just don’t have the time, then minimal exercises can work for you. You can do exercises in a seated position when you’re in the office. It’ll also serve your best interest to take the stairs instead of elevators to exercise your leg muscles. Another thing you can do is perform simple stationary exercises on the floor and on the mat.
Because we are too busy with work and our daily tasks, it follows that we get too exhausted at the end of the day. So, when we get home we no longer have sufficient energy to exercise.
So how can we beat exhaustion? Try meditating for at least 5 minutes a day. Meditation is effective in reducing stress. You should also eat more green leafy vegetables and fruits. This will give your body the energy it needs to tackle your daily tasks, as well as to exercise.
Another reason why exercising consistently is so hard is because we don’t feel motivated. This can happen when you’re unsure of your health and fitness goals.
To tackle this hurdle, you need to clearly define your objective for working out. Ask yourself what you want to happen to your body when you exercise. Do you want to lose weight? Gain strength? Build more muscle and become fit? It’s best to know your purpose in exercising because this will keep you from continuing despite all the hardships.
Too overwhelmed with the workout routines
It’s normal for beginners to feel intimidated or overwhelmed with workout routines. Not having the right equipment can also cause intimidation among beginners. So if that’s one of your reasons, tell yourself that’s it’s okay to feel that way.
There are numerous exercising routines you can do that don’t require any equipment. In fact, it’s even advisable for beginners not to use any equipment yet. Just relax and start simple. Do easy routines first. Be sure that your body has adjusted to your routines before increasing the intensity of your workout.
Frustration
Frustration is usually experienced by those who have tried working out before but didn’t get the result they wanted. It could also be because you used to be active and fit in your early years but stopped. And now, you tried to do the same difficult routines you used to do but were unsuccessful.
Here’s what you can do to deal with frustration. Accept the fact that exercise results do not happen overnight. It takes a lot of patience, dedication, perseverance, and even faith. Keep in mind that the road to health and fitness is long and winding, but it’s totally worth it.
- Find an exercise buddy whom you really trust.
- Join a group exercise where you’ll get to meet different personalities gearing towards the same goals as yours.
- Enroll yourself at a nearby gym and hire a fitness coach who’d assist you in reaching your ends.
- Search for a park or an area in your home, in your school, or in your office where you can exercise.
- Pick a specific time of the day you feel most energetic and days that are less hectic, at least 2-3 times a week, and stick to it until exercising becomes a habit.
- Choose an enjoyable exercise that suits your personality, like running, dancing, martial arts, yoga, etc. and one that you can look forward to every day.
- Appreciate yourself for exercising and trust that results will follow.
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