What’s holding you back from getting fitter and healthier? Do you feel you’re too busy to workout or cook healthy meals? Perhaps you feel like you don’t have the willpower to stick with a healthy diet for the long-term?
There are all sorts of ways that we justify not being healthier, but the truth is, they’re all just excuses. Although we believe them to be facts, they’re actually just stories we tell ourselves. Which means when approached in the right way, they needn’t hold us back.
If you’ve been unsuccessful at losing weight in the past, you’ll probably be able to predict the excuses you’ll make before even starting. The good news is, you can use this knowledge to plan ahead and prevent them sabotaging your weight loss.
Here are five common excuses people make when they should be committing to losing weight, along with coping mechanisms you can use to address them:
Excuse #1: I don’t like exercising
Many of us are put off the idea of exercising because we feel it’s a chore. We see it as something that’s hard and tiring, perhaps because of previous experiences. But exercise doesn’t have to be this way – it can be fun and enjoyable! The trick is to find an activity that you love doing so much, it’s something you actually look forward to.
It could be a hip-hop dance class or a team sport like basketball. Swimming or aqua aerobics can also be fun ways to get into exercise, especially if you’re carrying a few extra pounds, since they’re non-weight-bearing.
If you find yourself dreading exercise, sit down and brainstorm a list of 5 fun activities you’d love to try – then start one ASAP!
Excuse #2: I’ll start next week
It’s all too common for people to put off lifestyle changes due to procrastination. You’ll start next week because things are crazy at work right now. You’ll start on Monday because you have dinner with friends on Saturday. Sound familiar?
The truth is, life will always throw up things that can derail your efforts – so you need to learn to adapt to them. There will never be that perfect month where you don’t have any social commitments or a demanding workload, so if you’re waiting for it to come before starting, you’ll never make any changes!
Stop waiting for that perfect time to begin. Focus on finding ways to work healthy eating and exercise into your existing routine right now, so you can begin today. Remember, the sooner you make a start, the sooner you’ll begin to see results.
Excuse #3: I don’t have the willpower to stick with it
Many people give up before they even start because they lack self-belief. They simply don’t think they have the willpower to stick with a healthy diet or workout program, so they don’t even try. That way they can avoid those feelings of disappointment or failure.
The reality is, you don’t have to rely on willpower alone, so it doesn’t matter if you feel like you’re lacking it to start with. Developing habits and routines will ensure that healthy choices become second nature instead of conscious decisions.
If resisting food feels like a challenge, an appetite suppressant like PhenQ can help you feel less hungry so the temptation isn’t so great. You’ll also find that willpower is like a muscle – it grows the more you use it. So, even if you feel like you don’t have any now, you’ll soon build it up the more you exercise it.
Excuse #4: I’m too embarrassed to go to the gym
For some people, being overweight can mean they don’t feel confident about the way they look. The idea of working out in a gym, wearing tight-fitting Lycra and being surrounded by buff exercise-bunnies just isn’t appealing. They may be embarrassed by the way they look and worried that others will laugh at or judge them.
The truth is, gyms are generally places where people focus on themselves – they’re too busy concentrating on their own workout to look at other people. And if the gym really isn’t your thing, there are lots of other places you can exercise instead, including in the comfort of your own home.
You shouldn’t be worried by what others think, but if it’s holding you back from taking action, find a workout DVD or YouTube channel you can follow from your living room.
Excuse #5: I don’t have time to cook or workout
Here’s the truth: very few people have an abundance of spare time; what with work, family, or study commitments. Even fewer want to spend that precious spare time cooking or working out. But if you want to lose weight, you’ll need to prioritize these activities and find time-saving shortcuts too.
Making the choice to invest time in your health is the first step. After that, you can try different hacks that are more time-efficient. Batch meal prep is one way to save time on cooking. Spend an hour preparing meals on a Sunday night, then stick them in the fridge or freezer so you simply have to reheat them on weeknights.
When it comes to exercise, high-intensity interval training is a quick but effective way of burning calories and toning up muscle. Or you can look out for 30-minute lunchtime exercise classes you can fit into your break (and it’ll still leave you with time to eat). What about biking to work instead using your car?
Addressing your excuses once and for all
These five excuses are by no means an exhaustive list – you may have others that are holding you back from becoming fitter and healthier. What matters is that you recognize them for what they are – excuses rather than facts.
Once you’ve done this, you can come up with your own creative ways to address them once and for all. This will allow you to move forward towards your goals and achieve the body you’ve always wanted without being held back by your mind. No excuses anymore, go and make your fitness goals come true.
