Top 10 Reasons You Are A Couch Potatoe
May 8, 2008 by Mohamed
Filed under Weight Loss
Are you a couch potatoe, but don’t even realize it?
How can you tell if you are a couch potatoe? Well, simply continue reading “Top 10 Reasons You Are A Couch Potatoe”…
Going To The Health Club Is Intimidating
It’s a daunting task to head out to the gym and you being the only big person there. Don’t worry, we’ve all been in that boat. Don’t kill yourself over it. Go out for a walk. Walking is great, and very inexpensive. A good pair of walking shoes shouldn’t cost you more than $80 (and that’s on the high side). Most areas people live will have schools, and as such there will probably be a track there — just walk around and around and around… or walk your neighborhood! For example…
| walking, 2.5 mph, firm surface | walking | 214 |
| walking, 3.0 mph, level, moderate pace, firm surface | walking | 236 |
| walking, 3.5 mph, uphill | walking | 429 |
| walking, 4.0 mph, level, firm surface, very brisk pace | walking | 357 |
| walking, 4.5 mph, level, firm surface, very, very brisk | walking | 450 |
| Walking, 5.0 mph | walking | 572 |
That’s how effective walking is. You save your sanity, and work on loosing the tummy. I see that as a WIN WIN situation for you!
No More Self Control
You’ve given up. You have no more self control left. You walked by the donuts in the office, you evaded the “lets go out to lunch” question and stopped yourself from buying the bag of chips. Don’t worry – you’re human, and we all loose control every now and then. The key is to recognize when you are loosing control. If you’re craving chips, HAVE THEM! But why not buy one of those small bags that are one serving in size? I’ve seen pop that’s half the size of a regular can as well. What you don’t want happening is binging — that is, eating EVERYTHING in site then feeling sorry for yourself. Nobody else will feel sorry for you, trust me.
I read somewhere that self-control isn’t an unlimited resource. The more self-control you exert, the less you have left. If you’re looking to replenish your supply, get some sleep.
It Is Painful To Exercise
Speak to your doctor. It should not be painful to exercise. Once the doctor has said that there should be no reason for the pain, speak to a trainer that can work with you to come up with a workout that is gentle to your muscles and joints. Better yet, seriously consider water exercise and low-impact aerobics.
Nobody Else Is Doing It
Are you trying to loose weight for someone else, or for your own health and well being? Enough said…
Too Damn Expensive!
No, it’s not. Walking is cheap. You don’t have to spend $80 on a pair of walking shoes, buy a decent pair of shoes and walk. You don’t need anything else special. I’m sure you can pick-up a water bottle for under $5, you should have shorts or sweat pants at home, right?
You DON’T have to go to the gym!
Try water exercises – most facilities will allow you to purchase a daily/weekly/monthly or yearly pass for cheap. This will typically give you access to any additional programs that they run – so you don’t need to pay extra for a water exercise class or other such classes.
I’m Not That Young Anymore
Friend – neither am I. I’m pushing 40, and trust me it is VERY hard to get going. As you start with a regular exercise program, you will find that it does get easier. Your body will loosen up, and it will slowly become habit to do something. But the first step is action.
Don’t try to run a marathon on your first day. Start of slow, and easy. 10 minutes on day 1. 15 minutes on day 2, 20 minutes on day 3. By the end of the week set a goal of doing 30 minutes per day. Also break up your time. I do 30 minutes in the early morning, and 30 minutes in the evening. During lunch, I try and go out for a walk. Mix it up!
Exercise Is Boring
Yes, it is boring. That’s why you have to mix it up!
Something else that I found…
When it comes to choosing between sitting on the couch or taking a walk, some people just prefer the sedentary option. That’s a shame, researcher say, since apart from being a great way for people to lose weight, exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function, help control hypertension and reduce the risk of developing depression.
No Time
Excuses, excuses, excuses.
It’s the most common excuse people use to explain why they’re not working out, trainers say. People are just too busy. Women, in particular, tend to say they feel too overloaded to find time to hit the gym, according to research from the Saint Louis University School of Public Health. Experts say people need to schedule time in their days to work out, just as they would a meeting, and make an effort to take brisk walks during the day.
Too Hot Outside, Too Cold Outside, Too Rainy, Too Humid, Too Dry, Too Sunny, Too Cloudy…
See above.
OK, so the weather does play a big role in whether we will exercise or not; but come on – if you’re constantly making excuses then something is wrong.
I Don’t Feel Safe
People with lower incomes tend to be less physically active. New research from Harvard University suggests one major reason is that people living in low-income areas may not consider their neighborhoods safe enough to perform outdoor exercise. In a 2007 study, women in a low-income section of Boston who reported feeling unsafe at night took 1,000 fewer steps per day than other women–that’s 20% less physical activity.
What can you do? Try exercising with a group of people. Many shopping malls have mall walker programs, consider joining them. Check out your local YMCA or other fitness facility to see if they offer low cost or free programs. I’ve even seen some commercial organizations (The Running Room) offer group programs.
While your safety is extremly important, so is getting exercise. There are always options available, you just need to put in a little leg work and find them.
So, what’s YOUR reason for not exercising?
Mohamed
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