10 Reasons You're a Couch Potato

We all know exercise is good for us. It can help lower our risk of a heart attack, colon cancer, diabetes and high blood pressure, as well as help us control our weight, relieve arthritis pain, lessen depression and even cut down on doctor visits.

So, isn't that enough to get us into the gym? Evidently not. More than half of U.S. adults don’t exercise as much as we should – and 24 percent of us never even get off the couch in our free time.

Here are some solutions to some of the most common excuses for staying on the couch:

Excuse: I'm too busy.
Women, in particular, tend to say they feel too overloaded to find time to hit the gym.

Solution: Schedule It!
Experts say we have to schedule time in our day to work out, just like any other meeting.

Excuse: I don't want everyone watching me.
The idea of going to the gym and figuring out how to use the equipment can be terrifying, and huffing and puffing in sweat pants in front of a crowd isn't any picnic either.

Solution: Join a specialty club.
To gain back your supply of self-control, experts suggest getting some sleep.

Excuse: I just don't have any energy left at the end of the day.
If you've spent the day trying to pass up office sweets, you may not have the stamina to hit your evening gym class. Researchers have found that the more self-control you exert, the less you have left.

Solution: Replenish your self-control.
A fitness and weight-loss facility for women or those over fifty is a great place to lose those inhibitions.

Excuse: Ouch, this hurts!
Okay, this isn't really an excuse, but a fact: Among those over 63, physical ailments are the most common barrier to exercise. Ironically, health concerns are that age group's strongest motivation for being active.

Solution: Create a gentle workout.
If pain is keeping you away from the gym, talk to a trainer to help create a gentle workout for your muscles and joints. Water exercise and aerobics may be one option.

Excuse: Nobody else is doing it.
If others in the neighborhood or office aren't exercising, we're less likely to take a walk or hit the gym.

Solution: Find a buddy.
Ask someone to workout with you. You'll each provide motivation for the other on those days when you'd be more apt to stay on the couch or at your desk.

Excuse: It's too costly.
The average monthly gym membership rate is $39 to $55 a month for individuals and more than $100 for a family.

Solution: Anyone offer a gym discount?
Check to see if your employer offers a gym discount or try putting your negotiating skills to use. You may be able to get a better deal or at least have the initiation fee waived.

Excuse: It's too hard.
You probably didn't have to think about exercising in high school. There were basketball games on the weekend and the daily gym class. As we transition from adolescents to young adults, we quickly find other ways to spend our time. An inability to cope with change is one of the biggest reasons physical activity declines.

Solution: Change is good.
Change it up a bit. You don't have to make an extra trip to the gym to get in your workout. Take a walk with a coworker at lunch, play with your children or walk around your local mall.

Excuse: I don't like exercise.
When it comes to choosing between sitting on the couch or taking a walk, some people just prefer the sedentary option.

Solution: Envision the positive changes.
Exercise improves cognitive function, helps control hypertension and reduces the risk of developing depression. Keep that in mind when deciding whether or not to get off the couch.

Excuse: It's icky out. | I don't feel safe.
For some, a drop of rain is enough to avoid working out. And a 2007 study of women in a low-income section of Boston who reported feeling unsafe at night took 1,000 fewer steps per day than other women, or 20 percent less physical activity. Another study showed that pleasant surroundings can positively affect people's willingness to exercise.

Solution: Change your environment.
Having a safe, and aesthetically pleasing and convenient place to walk, run and bike are all linked to increased willingness to exercise. So, do a little research and find a place you love to go to get in that workout.

Source: Forbes.com


Copyright ©2008 Star Marketing and Administration, Inc. Information in this newsletter may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from Starmark. The articles contained within this newsletter are not a promise of coverage and are not meant to replace professional medical advice or service. Personal health issues should be discussed with your physician. Refer to your Certificate of Insurance or Policy for benefit information.