Think of someone that you respect very much. This can be a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or someone that you’ve never even met. Now imagine that this person met with you one day and told you that there was something that you could do that would improve every aspect of your life. Still listening? That person then tells you that you only have to dedicate a minimum of 3 hours a week to doing that thing. This is sounding pretty good, isn’t it? That person finally reveals to you that what they are talking about…. is exercise.
Now how do you feel about this persons idea? Do you believe them? Are you skeptical? If you are aprehensive, then why? Anyone knows that exercise is good for you. So, why don’t more people do it?
There are many different types of people, when it comes to exercise:
Those that DON’T DO IT because…
- …they think they don’t have enough time.
- …they just feel too tired (lazy).
- …they think it’s boring.
- …they think they get enough exercise at work or home.
- …they think you really have to do a lot in order to get results.
- …they don’t like going to gyms.
- …they think it will MAKE them tired.
- …they get stressed out thinking about it.
- …they’re too depressed.
Then there are those that DO IT and…
- …MAKE the time to do it.
- …are ALWAYS glad in hindsite that they did it.
- …have realized that exercising can be fun.
- …have realized that you can always do more to be active.
- …understand that you don’t have to do a lot to get results.
- …know that exercise often does not mean going to the gym.
- …have realized that it actually gives you MORE energy overall.
- …know that it is a great stress reliever.
- …have realized that it is actually a very effective anti-depressant.
Have you ever met anyone that exercises regularly that says they regret doing it? No. You never have. What you WILL hear a lot is this: “I sure didn’t feel like going to the gym this morning, but i’m glad I did!”
Why is it that when people even hear the word “Exercise”, they immediately feel tired? “Exercise? Ugh… no thanks. I’m not feelin it.” They picture themselves walking on a treadmill, staring at the wall, or lifting dumbells, staring at a reflexion of their fat selves in the mirror. Of course a lot of people do go to gyms, but there are countless ways to exercise outside of the gym that doesn’t involve something boring or repetative.
I can probably list a few hundred sports or outdoor activities that you are bound to discover at least a few that you would enjoy. If you don’t like to (or can’t) go outside, you have literally thousands and thousands of choices of videos that you can buy, or find on the internet for free. Go to YouTube and type in WORKOUT or EXERCISE or YOGA or PILATES or SIX PACK ABS and you will be occupied with enough workout ideas to do something new everyday for the rest of your freaking life.
Do you think you don’t have enough time? Allow me to break down this “time” that you don’t think you have enough of. Let’s say you get 7 hours of sleep a night (the average person gets less). There are 168 hours in a week (24×7). With 7 hours of sleep, that means you are awake for 119 hours in one week. If you were to exercise for 3 of those 119 hours a week, you are dedicating only 2.5% of your week to improving every aspect of your life.
2.5% is nothing. To give you a better perspective, the average American watches 30 hours of TV a week. 30!!!! That’s 25% of your week dedicated to doing anything but improving your life. Have you ever finished watching an episode of THE REAL WORLD or EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND and felt like your life had improved? You may have been entertained for a few minutes, but what happens when it’s over? Back to your boring, fat life.
Are you too lazy? Fatigue can actually be caused by a sedentary lifestyle. If you were to make yourself do several active things in a week, you’ll have jump started your body, and it will crave more. You will also enjoy it more. Get a freaking dog so that you have to take it outside to keep your house from becoming a shit fest. Actually, never mind the dog. You know that guy Ceasar Milan? The Dog Wisperer? The main reason he has a job is because people don’t ever actually WALK their dogs anymore. Then the dogs have too much pent up energy that causes them to be fucking wacko and aggressive.
Here’s my thoughts if you REALLY think you don’t have enough time. You should sacrifice sleep. That means get up early. You’d think that because you got less sleep than you normally would, you’d be more tired during the day, but you’d be wrong. Exercising will boost your metabolism and give you more energy. More energy will allow you to get more stuff done during the day. To be more productive. And when bedtime comes, you’re OUT. You will sleep much better. No more insomnia. No more lounging half asleep in front of the TV until 2am.
Make some sacrifices. Give it a try. Your love handles and bitch tits will thank you for it.
Dang those bitch tits!
You make some great points… Thanks for the motivating words!
[...] In terms of going to workout in the morning, why do you try and get up 1.5 hours earlier than you normally would? That is a big chunk of time with which to change your schedule. No wonder you are having such a hard time getting yourself out of bed to stick to that. Why not try a smaller amount of time to workout until you get used to it? 30 minutes? That sounds much more do-able doesn’t it? Hit the treadmill and watch the morning news or read a book. Keep your mp3 player charged up and make a playlist with music that will energize and motivate you. Lay out your workout clothes before you go to bed so it will literally take you seconds to head out the door. Less things to slow you down = less excuses. Don’t try and go everyday at first. Although, if you have a regular schedule, some people do better with being consistent and making it part of their daily routine. For more on this, read my post Exercise: What’s your excuse? [...]
[...] Do you make excuses for exercising? Read my post: Exercise: What’s your excuse? [...]
If they must watch TV, there is no reason they can’t exercise at the same time, although this isn’t a good way to focus on exercise it’s better than nothing.
They can even turn it into a game to keep it interesting. Every time character A, B, or C does/says X, Y or Z, do 10 push ups, crunches, or body weight squats.
Again more MISINFORMATION
EXERCISE IS NTO A WEIGHT LOSS PANACEA.
THE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE DOES NTO FIND EXERCISE TO PRODUCE MUCH WEIGHT LOSS AT ALL.
Razwell, did you read the same article as I did? I thought the gist of the article was that exercise will improve all areas of your life; reduce stress and depression, give more energy, aid sleep etc etc…
Read the article again and this time do it with an open mind.