3 excuses that aren’t good enough

We’re all guilty of convincing ourselves we shouldn’t go to the gym, but WHL thinks it’s time to lay down the law with 3 excuses that aren’t good enough. Call it being cruel to be kind.

Time and time again we make excuses to help ourselves feel better about skipping the gym. It’s the easy option. No tired limbs in the morning, no sweaty face, no straining yourself physically and mentally… sounds great, doesn’t it?
The thought of lazing around with your feet up is much more appealing, we know. But with summer fast approaching, being lazy is an option you’ll undoubtedly regret in a few months’ time, when it’s bikini season and you’re feeling anything but body confident.

The quote ‘summer bodies are made in winter’ should probably be drilled in your head by now. Fitness gurus love to plaster it on pictures over Twitter and Instagram. And rightly so, because it’s true. A bikini body takes a lot of time, dedication and effort. No two-week fad diet is going to achieve the trim and toned shape you desire. You need to start now!

Time to get out there

A recent survey showed that 64 per cent of adults in the UK spend more than 10 hours a week watching TV. Imagine if we put that amount of commitment into our exercise regimes. Ten hours a week of gym-going and you’d be well on your way to a Victoria’s Secret model bod or maybe just improved muscle definition. If you don’t want to replace telly time with the gym, why not multitask? Try hula hooping or using a resistance band while the TV’s on.

So, those excuses. You’re tired, you have no time, your gym is out of the way, it’ll interfere with your plans for dinner, you want to conserve your energy for tomorrow morning’s workout that you don’t end up doing anyway (my personal fave)… I’m sure at least one of these sounds familiar.
We understand. Finding the motivation to get into the swing of things can be a little tricky. So here’s how to combat the three most common excuses:

Excuse: I’m too tired
Solution: It’s simple: if you’re tired, go to bed earlier. If you are a night owl do your workouts in the evenings – don’t force yourself to get up for a workout if you know it’s not doable. Often with this excuse the truth is that we’re more mentally tired than physically fatigued. Create a timetable and know when to expect a workout. Having a routine really helps, as if you write something down you’re more likely to stick to it. Why not try doing for a run on your lunch break?

Excuse: I don’t have time
Solution: You do have time; everyone has time. It just depends on what you prioritise. If you want to be happy with your body and see those results, dedicate time to it. It doesn’t have to be masses – 20 minutes a day of exercise where you really push yourself is better than an hour of putting in 50 per cent effort. Remember that it’s not about the time you spend working out, it’s the intensity and energy you give it that counts.

Excuse: I’m missing out on my social life
If you like to go out with friends in the evening, try fitting a workout into your lunch break. If you have a sit-down office job this will be particularly good for you – going for a run can clear your head and help concentration. If that doesn’t work for you, try exercising at home – even if it’s just before you go to bed or as soon as you wake up using a workout app. The Nike Training Club app has a range of short and effective 15-minute circuits. Another useful app is Seven