4 Reasons We're Not Exercising (and why they're bogus)

We’ve all heard that exercise is good for us. But why is it so good? And if it’s so good, then why are so many people lacking the motivation to do it? Why does “working out” take so much willpower?

Lets explore this, shall we!?

From a mental health standpoint, exercise is the number one, most important thing listed in every book and article about preventing depression and boosting your mood naturally. There are numerous studies showing that exercise boosts serotonin and dopamine levels in the brain, which stimulate feelings of happiness and improves both mood and self-esteem. Some studies have even shown that exercise can be just as effective as medication for those who are battling depression. This is definitely something that varies person by person, but exercise as a means for preventing the onset of, or relapse of depression, as well as anxiety, can be very beneficial.

Regular exercise also helps you sleep better at night, which makes for a much happier and productive outlook the next day. It boosts creativity and memory, and getting your blood flowing and your sweat on helps your body eliminate toxins and wastes. This helps your immune system function properly and not get overloaded by all the pollutants, toxic ingredients, and chemicals that are in our food, water, and air.

Ever felt like you were too tired for exercise after work? And then forced yourself to exercise and found that you weren’t tired after all? In fact, you were able to do a lot more than you were planning that night?! Exercise can really boost your energy levels, allowing you to be more productive and feel even better about yourself.

We’ve all experienced these perks; So why is it so hard to get up and do it regularly?

Here’s what I think (and why its bogus):

We force ourselves to do the latest workout craze, even though we hate it. For me, this is stuff like Spin classes and CrossFit. I bought a one-week trial pass to a Spin studio after everyone I knew was raving about how amazing it was and how many calories you burned per class. The problem was, I would literally get a stomach ache beforehand because I was so nervous about how intense it was going to be. I was always dying about 5 minutes in and hating the remaining 50 minutes. No wonder I didn’t want to go back! Plus, it’s so expensive! Now some people love Spin, and that’s awesome, it’s just not for me! I’ve learned to accept that it’s OK and to do the workouts I actually want to do that make me feel best, despite the latest craze. It’s always good to try new workouts, but be honest with yourself about which ones you actually like and forget the ones that you don’t. There are plenty of options out there!
We tell ourselves there’s no time to workout. Hm… ok so you sleep for 8 hours, you work for 8 hours, you might have a half hour commute each way, and you might need to stop at the grocery store and cook dinner. That’s about 19 hours. What are you doing during the other 6 hours in your day!? Take an honest look at your schedule and see where you’re wasting time. By adding in 30 minutes a day you can boost your energy and productivity anyways, so it really balances itself out!
We think we need to go to the gym, a workout studio, or use some sort of weights or machines for it to count as exercise. This just isn’t true. I like going to classes occasionally because I get motivated by the instructors to challenge myself and work harder, and I enjoy the social aspect of it, but sometimes I don’t want to go to a class or there’s not one that fits my schedule that day. Want to know what my favourite at-home “workout” is? Blasting Justin Beiber and dancing around my apartment as I clean. I kill two birds with one stone, it definitely boosts my mood, I get a good sweat on, and I get to act like a fool, which is always a good idea. Other options I love are hiking in the mountains in the summer and snow shoeing in the winter, biking around the city exploring new neighbourhoods, running stairs at an outdoor park, and jogging along the river in the summer and fall. As long as my heart rate gets up a bit, it counts in my books!
We beat ourselves up with guilt for skipping a workout. Feeling guilty about anything is a waste of time. Sometimes you just won’t want to, or really will be too tired, or really won’t have time. Taking a break can be just as beneficial so go easy on yourself and listen to what is best for you. Beating yourself up is only going to lead to increased feelings of self-doubt, which is going to make you want to work out even less.

What do I do to stay moving? I love walking because it’s a great way to catch up with my husband after a busy day or with friends on the weekends. Sometimes I’ll even bring my iPad to the gym and walk on a treadmill or do the elliptical while reading a book if it’s too cold to go outside. I also have been trying to do two strength-training workouts a week and two yoga-type classes a week. For me that’s been working great with my schedule and leaves me feeling energized and ready for more. But if I can’t make it to a class, a 30 minute walk is just fine, and it’s always better than nothing! What’s your favourite way to get your heart rate up and those happy juices flowing?! I’m always looking for more ideas!