TITLE: "Twelve Best Excuses NOT to Get Fit-Part One!"

Dear David and Trish,

Like many others, I’ve been reading your column regularly for almost a year. I thoroughly enjoy your personal approach to fitness and exercise, and your willingness to challenge the “status quo”. I even get a chuckle or two now and then.

But, unfortunately, reading about fitness has had absolutely NO impact on my health! I am still overweight, generally weak, and very prone to colds and injuries. I WANT what you have, and seem to offer, but just can’t seem to get motivated! What can I do?

Sincerely,

Desperate Dan on The Eastern Shore

Dear “Desperate”,

So we are willing to share with you the twelve best excuses we have heard through our more than twenty years of fitness training experience. And, we have added a bit of challenge to those excuses… with the obvious theme that there ARE no valid excuses for not getting fit. Read on, pilgrim…

"I Don't Have Time"
The most common excuse that we hear. The truth is, we always make time for the things we really want to do. If you genuinely do have a hectic lifestyle, try and plan exercise into your schedule, rather than planning to get around to it if you have time. Prioritize! Health and fitness is NOT a fill-in, it is life enhancing, and often life-saving!

"I'm Too Tired To Exercise"
WHY are you so tired! It may be true that you tired because you're not getting enough sleep. The solution? Start exercising and your sleep patterns and duration will likely improve dramatically. Are you depressed. Oops… it has been proven that exercise on a regular basic can lower, if not eliminate, depression in many cases.

Try it. Go out for a walk sometime TODAY at a COMFORTABLE pace for at least 20 minutes, breathing in plenty of air, then see how you feel. Your face will glow, and you will feel much better AFTER the walk than you did BEFORE it. And, if you pass the local Dairy Queen, you already know what to do. If that doesn’t energize and cheer you up, we don’t know what would!

Oh… so many times have we heard the phrase “genetically predisposed” when people are describing their overweight condition, poor aerobic fitness, general muscular weakness, or even bad eating habits! It is one of the most self-destructive, and deceptive excuses there is.

We are all somewhat “shaped” and often limited by our genetic makeup. But genetic limitations can be overcome by an efficient fitness and nutrition program designed for YOU. Because your parents, or grandparents, or aunts or uncles or pets are unfit does NOT mean YOU should be. Improved fitness is ALWAYS an option. No, we can’t all be “Arnold what’s his face”, but we CAN use and improve what we have.

Can you afford NOT to get fit? The additional days of illness, the accidents, the wardrobe with wide range of sizes to accommodate your “ups and downs”? If you asked your spouse, or children, or friends what your health is worth, what would their answer be? Gotcha!!!

And, anyway, who says fitness needs to be expensive? OK… you have some money to throw at it… hire one of us professional trainers, and buy a life-time membership to a good club, and you’re in (as long as you show up, of course!).

But what if you ARE on a budget. Fitness, and learning and practicing the elements of a healthy and fit lifestyle are totally FREE! Information and education is available for the taking. And there are many forms of beneficial exercise that is available to ALL. Like walking, jogging, skipping, hiking, skating, walking your dog, pushing your baby carriage, etc. Calisthenics, body-weight exercises, simple dumbbell exercises, and partner-assisted routines are tremendously effective. And how about dancing, swimming, hiking, rowing, kite-flying, gardening, and the like. MOVE, and ENJOY! That is truly the basis of physical fitness.

"I Hate Aerobics"
If you don't like it - don't do it! It's as simple as that. Aerobic exercise can be done in many different ways. If you have tried some “aerobic” classes and didn’t like them, try different classes until you find the one that suits your fitness (and co-ordination) level. Or, perform your aerobic exercise on your own. Use equipment such as our favorite… the elliptical trainer, or treadmill, or whatever.

And remember, 'Aerobic' means 'with oxygen'. You should engage in activities that get you only slightly out of breath. One of the secrets of long-term fitness is finding physical activities that you actually enjoy. Don’t fake it!

"I Can't Get Motivated"
OK Dan, this one’s for YOU!

Motivation is basically the driving force that gets us and keeps us going until we get the results we want. What motivates one person may not motivate another.

Make a self-assessment. What is really most important to YOU, and your loved ones? Is it wanting to look more toned and fitter or wanting to wear sexy dresses. Is it being able to do more, and be fully functional? Is it just fully enjoying your body, and all the wonderful activities available in this world? Define, and target!

And when motivation fades, bring your body to the gym or fitness center anyway! Keep on doing it, and you WILL get results… guaranteed! High energy, low energy, whatever… MOVE!

To Be Continued Next Week…