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Reasons not to exercise: part 1
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We know that exercise has been shown to aid in weight loss, reduce the risk of chronic disease, increase the lifespan and enhance mood yet a majority of adults do not exercise.
Research conducted as far back as 1994 found that lack of time was the primary reason given for inactivity and not much has changed in the past 15 years. Subsequent research shows that lack of time is still the primary reason followed by lack of energy and lack of motivation.
Via an email query, I asked a diverse group of professionals- mental health experts and fitness professionals excluded- to share their personal reasons why they do not exercise. While some responses were congruent with the research, others were unexpected but all were candid.
Lack of time
Marialuisa Curran, a busy PR manager with Full Circle PR, admits that she does not exercise because “it’s just hard work and a big sacrifice for time.” Curran, who works from home 70% of the time, averages 50 hours per week. “We work all day, have no time to do our own laundry and to spare even an hour to work more, sweat and get our hair dirty is just not worth it. I would have to wash my hair, style again every day and then do the whole ‘grooming process’ more often than preferred. It sounds absolutely crazy because I know how important exercise is,” she says. Those who know her argue that she does not need to exercise at all because of her 5’5, 108-pound frame. But Curran recognizes the fit esteem she feels when she does exercise. “I love to work out for the mental release and great physical strength and feeling you get from it…I wish I would just commit,” she adds.
A closer look
Dr. Robert Weinberg, professor in physical education, health and sport studies at Miami University in Oxford Ohio, and Dr. Daniel Gould, kinesiology professor at Michigan State University argue that time constraints are more perceived than real. In one study where 69% of non exercisers cited lack of time as the primary reason for not exercising, a closer look at their schedules revealed that lack of time was not the issue. It was a matter of priorities. People found the time to do things other than exercise.
When asked if she could restructure her schedule to fit at least 30 minutes of exercise into her day, perhaps first thing in the morning, Curran added, “I definitely could fit in a workout with a little commitment and schedule restructuring!” She has decided to start each day at 5 am with a jog to her gym. Realizing that this routine will allow her the time needed for work and evening activities, she says she wants to commit and seems to have a new-found sense of motivation.
Like Curran, Ray Million, VP of operations for the Hudson Bread Company, starts the day with a 5 am cardiovascular workout several times a week. “If it takes getting up early or an interruption in our busy day 3 – 4 times a week, it really isn’t much time considering there are 168 hours in a week.”
Tip: When restructuring your schedule, think of exercise as your appointment with fitness. Write it into your schedule or mark it on your calendar.
Fitness with the family
Darcy does not exercise as often as she would like because she is a working mother of a 2 year-old who would much rather spend her free time playing with her daughter. She admits that chasing her daughter on the playground and picking her up burns calories but she yearns for more of an intensive way to exercise with her child. Her dream is to find a low-cost exercise class that caters to the entire family so that she will not have to sacrifice family time in order to stay fit.
Tips: If your local gym does not offer family-oriented exercise programming, create your own exercise time by participating in outdoor games and activities.
Use a jogging stroller, push cart or a bicycle with a child’s seat to get cardiovascular exercise while spending time with your young child.
If exercising outdoors is not an option, host fitness activities in your home. A dance marathon for family and friends is a fun way to stay fit.
Coming up on Tuesday
Long work schedules, the daily commute and familial responsibilities leave many feeling exhausted by the end of the day. Part two of this series will look at lack of energy and lack of motivation as deterrents to exercise.
For more info: Contact Chesna: Chesna @FitEsteem.com
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