As the miserable weather draws in and Christmas is round the corner, you hear more and more people giving excuses on why they can't incorporate exercise into their lives.
It's time to stop! You are better than that. Next time you excuse your lack of exercise, remember the following reasons to pick up your gym kit:
1. I haven't got time
I hear this every single day. With so much time devoted to work, family, friends, TV, travel and social media - I'm not surprised some people fall into the trap of thinking they have no time to train.
But one thing is for certain, if you do not devote any time to looking after yourself now, you will sacrifice more time later in life!
What's more, when you train regularly you will improve almost every aspect of your life. The increased energy, concentration, productivity, sense of well-being and not to mention lack of illness, will free up bundles more time than you ever thought possible.
To help put it in perspective, some of the world's leading business people like Richard Branson still have time to do a workout in the morning and they are likely to be much busier than you!
2. I'm too old
Not true. In fact, the older you get the MORE important exercise becomes.
Ever heard of the saying 'If you don't use it, you lose it'? The same thing applies to your body, especially your muscle mass.
As the human body ages, we suffer from a fairly constant physical decline and we start to think that everything felt a lot easier when we were in our 20s! Without regular exercise, those over 50 years of age are susceptible to a range of health problems including high blood pressure, reduced bone mineral density and increased risk of strokes and cardiovascular disease.
It is never too late to start getting active, regardless of your age. We have lots of clients who are in their 80s and train at the gym on a regular basis and they are in great shape - so you can't use that excuse!
3. I need to lose weight before I start at a gym
A surprisingly common excuse, but the truth is that you really don't.
I understand that the idea of walking into a gym full of ripped guys lifting weights, or super slim Victoria Secret models chatting away on the cross-trainers can seem like a nightmare to some. Even more so if you are overweight.
Try to remember, everyone is far too busy doing their own workouts to watch what you are up to! So, keep your head high and know that you're at the gym for all the right reasons.
Another tip is to find a gym where everyone is welcome. It is also good to go to a gym with a high percentage of staff relative to members, as they can help you understand how to use the equipment properly and advise on activity suitable for you.
4. I'm already slim so I don't need to train
Don't be fooled by the fact that you are not carrying a lot of body fat. This doesn't necessarily mean you are fit and healthy. A common misconception is that a low level of visible fat (subcutaneous fat) means you are in good shape.
There is a more sinister type of fat that can have drastic impacts on your health. Visceral fat is stored in the abdominal cavity around a number of vital organs and can interfere with their vital processes.
If you are one of the lucky ones that stores very little subcutaneous fat, can eat whatever you want and do no exercise, it is likely that your visceral fat levels are gradually creeping up.
5. I've tried everything and I still can't get in shape
If you consistently burn more calories than you consume, it is IMPOSSIBLE not to lose body fat.
Remember that every successful diet plan, nutrition book, before and after photo, and incredible transformation all have one thing in common: they are a result of a calorie deficit.
Find a way to eat less than you burn off and you will 100% lose fat.
6. I can't afford it
Training regularly can add up cost wise, but you don't have to purchase personal training sessions 6 days a week.
There is plenty that you can do for free to complement your training - even a simple walk and some body weight exercises like squats and press ups will help get you started.
It is certainly worth remembering that when it comes to an investment, your well-being should be at the top of your list. If you get a good personal trainer, they can teach you some amazing health management habits that will last a lifetime.
7. I have the kids with me ALL OF THE TIME
So get them involved! What could be a better way to spend time with your children than training with them? Every weekend we have loads of families take part in PT sessions together. It's a great way to encourage healthy habits, bond with your kids and get in a good workout. Everybody wins.
It's important not to underestimate how important your habits are in the eyes of your children. If you stress the importance of nutrition and exercise now, they will be far more likely to do the same throughout their adulthood.
To sum up...
Anything that is worth having involves a lot of hard work along the way and you will need to 'embrace the struggle'. Along your journey to becoming fit and most importantly, healthy, there will be early mornings, hard workouts and life will be a juggling act, but drop the excuses and make time to embrace it, safe in the knowledge that you're improving your life!
About Better Body Group
Better Body Group is a chain of gyms in the South East that specialises in body transformation, recovery and improving fitness performance, delivered by graduate-level personal trainers. Based in Sevenoaks and Blackheath, it offers personal training, small group and family training classes, fat loss programmes, health improvement guidance, rehabilitation exercise plans and young athlete development support.