If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely experienced the frustration that comes with struggling to get healthy, meet your fitness goals, or find motivation to keep working through a plateau.
Sometimes it feels like no matter what we do, losing the extra weight, running the extra mile, or building extra muscle is impossible. We try and try, only to wind up with another goal not accomplished.
Related: 3 Genius Strategies to Achieve Your Fitness Goals
There are many obstacles that delay our fitness progress. Everything from not having enough time, losing motivation, experiencing burnout, or just getting bored with a fitness routine can leave our progress stagnant.
But among these obstacles there is one that continues to prevent us from reaching fitness success, time and time again.
So what is the biggest obstacle keeping you from fitness success?
Making an excuse for not exercising.
That’s right – excuses are the biggest obstacle keeping you from fitness success. No matter who you are – whether you’re a morning person, over achiever, couch potato, fitness enthusiast, new runner, or anything in between – workout excuses have no doubt made an appearance in your fitness routine.
I’ve definitely found myself battling excuses for not exercising a time or two before.
The thing about these workout excuses is that they can have one of two outcomes: they can stop you in your tracks, give you a break, and make it easier to skip future workouts and healthy meals, OR they can make you stronger and improve your will power.
Related: How to Successfully Adjust Your Training for Missed Runs
When you put it like that, the choice we want to make is obvious – right? Gaining strength and will power is the reason most people begin their fitness journey in the first place.
So why do so many people succumb to these excuses to not exercise?
Life gets in the way. It would be so easy to achieve fitness success if we had endless time, resources, excitement and inspiration. We’d continue on our fitness journeys without a care in the world.
But unfortunately, that’s not how life works.
That’s okay though, because pushing through the moments that aren’t ideal are where we gain the most.
However, most people are aware of the benefits of exercising and the advantages of pushing through their excuses as opposed to succumbing to them. And even still, there are many moments when we let our workout excuses get the best of us and plop down on the couch.
Sure, there are a few situations where skipping a workout is actually in your best interest. But more often than not, these excuses have been manufactured in our minds. Maybe we’ve had a long day at work, are feeling very stressed, or just really lazy one day. These moments of weakness are when the excuses creep in and try to take control.
Related: Should You Skip a Run? Here’s What You Need to Know
Overcoming your fitness excuses is never an easy task. But more often than not, forcing yourself to quiet the excuses and just do it will pay off in no time at all.
Achieving fitness success is all about consistency. It’s impossible to reach your goals if you exercise sporadically and binge eat potato chips every other day. Allowing your body time to adapt to these new habits means maintaining them for the long run.
Being able to see progress in your fitness requires time. Progress doesn’t happen overnight, and it especially doesn’t happen when we find a reason to avoid hard work time and time again.
Setting a goal to improve your fitness is admirable. It’s an incredible first step.
Related: What to Know When Achieving Your Goals Feels Out of Reach
Laying out a game plan to achieve that goal requires careful thought and consideration, but following that plan requires work. Remind yourself every single day why you started, and keep your mindset focused.
Mental strength is a skill that no one really talks about when it comes to fitness, but achieving the right mentality accounts for so much of your success.
You can do it.
If you think you don’t have time, can’t find motivation, or don’t see the point anymore – change your mindset. It can be done, and there’s no reason you can’t get there.
Everyone encounters obstacles at some point or another. That’s what makes the journey interesting. Evaluate your obstacles and determine how to get past them without using them as an excuse to quit or take a break.
You will thank yourself down the road.
If you’re struggling with overcoming workout excuses, remind yourself that you’re not alone. Everyone battles the temptation to quit at some point along their journey, and the way they handle those temptations is what determines their success.
Here are 5 resources to overcome those exercise excuses and keep going!
5 Simple Ways to Overcome Workout Excuses
- Workout Excuse: I don’t have enough time
- Workout Excuse: I really don’t feel motivated
- Workout Excuse: There’s no point
- Workout Excuse: I hate exercising
- Workout Excuse: It’s too hard
5 am Morning Exercise Routine: How to Workout in the Morning
Thursday 11th of June 2020
[…] work out in the morning before our day started. We decided that once and for all, we were going to ignore our excuses and begin working out in the morning. We were […]
Postpartum Running: How to Return to Running After Pregnancy
Saturday 4th of April 2020
[…] out there every day that much easier. Without a clear purpose, it will be all the more tempting to skip or give up after a particularly rough night, stressful day or any other […]
How to Stay Fit During the Holidays: 7 Healthy Tips for the Season
Friday 25th of October 2019
[…] your fitness activities and workouts ahead of time can help minimize those overwhelmed feelings so you feel prepared at the start of each day. Plan your weekly activities ahead of time, and […]
4 Essential Tips for Healthy Eating | Runnin’ for Sweets
Monday 16th of September 2019
[…] to a rhythm that you are comfortable with, but try not to let yourself off the hook. Furthermore, understand that the faster you make changes in how you eat, the quicker you will see […]
20 Ways to Become a Morning Runner | Runnin’ for Sweets
Saturday 6th of July 2019
[…] in your pajamas with a cup of coffee only extends the period of time that you are able to make excuses. Changing into your running clothes as soon as you step out of bed helps establish the mindset of a […]