How To Combat The Most Common Workout Excuses

As one of the most famous fitness personalities in the world, Kayla Itsines has heard every excuse in the book. She combats the 9 most common workout excuses.

I know there are times when you feel worn out or your schedule is crazy, but sometimes these ‘occasional’ excuses can cause your fitness goals to fall flat. So, get ready! Here are the most common workout excuses that I hear, and the best ways to beat them!

1. I’m too tired
The funny thing about exercise is, it actually gives you more energy! You can feel rejuvenated after a quick gym session. If you’re too tired to workout, it could be your sleeping habits that you need to look at. Going to bed earlier at night could make it easier to get up and have time for your workouts in the morning.

2. The weather is awful
For those days when the weather is too hot, too cold or too wet, you might need to have a workout backup plan. Clear some space in your living room and do a few bodyweight exercises or a DIY circuit. Use some hand-held weights (or something heavy you have around the house) for a basic weights session.

3. It’s so hard
Ready for some tough love? Working hard is what gets results. You can continue to make excuses to not work hard, or you can tough it out and push through. If you have a goal in mind, focus on that instead of how difficult the workout is. Continued effort can bring strength, confidence and a more positive mindset.

4. I forgot my shoes/music/gym towel
There is one way to beat that ‘I forgot…’ problem and that is organisation. Pack your gym bag the night before and run through a quick check so you know you have everything. Once you get into the habit of regularly packing the same items, the chances of forgetting something are much smaller.

5. I don’t have time
This one is easily solved! My programs in the SWEAT app include a bunch of workouts you can do in just 28 minutes. Okay, so you might have known that already, but you get the point. Even the busiest executives in the world have time for their health. Remember ladies, if something is important to you, you’ll always make time!

6. I’m not feeling motivated
The problem with motivation is it can leave you at the worst time. First you miss one session, then it gets hard to commit to going back for the next one. It eventually becomes a cycle. Try breaking one big hurdle into smaller, mini-hurdles. Deciding to workout for a few minutes breaks the ‘not-wanting-to-exercise’ feeling. Once you’ve started, it’s so much easier to keep going.

7. It’s too expensive to join a gym
Any space can be used for a workout — indoors or outdoors. There are even whole exercise disciplines that don’t rely on gym equipment (body weight training or yoga anyone?). My guides and app are great for ladies who don’t have access to a gym, I’ve even made some suggestions of household items you can use instead of gym equipment.

8. It’s my ‘time of the month’
Yep, I get it. Dealing with cramps, mood changes and bloating really doesn’t make you feel like working out (or working, or going out in public, or…). While you might feel like laying on the couch with a hot water bottle, you will probably feel better after a little light exercise. Exercise can help get your circulation and digestion going, which can be helpful for relieving cramps and bloating.

9. I don’t know where or how to start exercising
No one is born knowing how to correctly do chin-ups, which means that everyone has to start somewhere. Even experienced trainers are always learning, so don’t feel like you’re the only person who doesn’t know how a weight machine works. And guess what? Plenty of people are happy to share their knowledge with you! Ask a trainer or someone at your gym for advice on using the equipment. Find a blog you like (ahem) and read up on different moves or exercise styles you can try. Trust me, no one will laugh at you for trying to better yourself.

Making excuses not to exercise is only going to hurt one person — you. Even if you don’t feel guilty for skipping out on your workout at first, it’s too easy to become a bad habit. Remind of yourself of your end goal and picture your success, and focus on building good habits instead!

Love, Kayla xx

Visit www.kaylaitsines.com or find out more about Kayla’s approach to fitness and diet at www.sweat.com

Image: Kayla Itsines