If you think you do not have time to exercise, you're not alone. Recent studied demonstrate that 60% of adult Americans do not get the recommended amount of exercise and worse, 25% of adults get no physical activity at all. These frightening statistics show that so many of us don't exercise at all. Finding an excuse to dodge physical activity is easy... what's your excuse?

The Top 10 Countdown

Number 10 on the list is "I hate exercising!"

If you don't like doing something, chances are that you will not be good at it and you certainly won't be motivated to do it. Doing things you enjoy is the key to happiness. Personally, I am not a big fan of running but I do like to walk. Find activities that match your personality. If you love the outdoors, go hiking or biking. The most important thing is that you give things a try before you decide that you don't like them.

9. "I've tried to exercise but I keep quitting".

A common cause for quitting exercise is because people expect too much too soon and schedule too many workouts, they work too hard and/or don't give themselves rest days. Keep your training light to begin with and allow for recovery days. Adding only a few minutes each week to your exercise schedule will make a world of difference in the long run.

8. "I can't afford a gym membership".

In my opinion, there's no reason you have to join a gym to exercise. Walking is free, (your dog will love you for it) dumbbells are cheap and playing with the kids is priceless! There are also many great videos you can watch to keep you in the mood.

7. "I'm not seeing any changes in your body".

Welcome to reality. You don't put the weight on overnight and it won't come off overnight either. Give your body time to react to your exercise efforts. I may take several weeks for you to really start seeing some positive changes.

6. "I don't know how to exercise".

Who are you trying to kid? There is so much information available at your fingertips, websites, exercise books, videos, gyms, trainers, the list goes on and on. Simply doing a few stretching exercises in front of the TV is a good start.

5. "I want to exercise but I have to take care of my family".

Exercising doesn't mean you have to neglect your family. Join a health club that has a daycare center or do a video while they nap. If they're old enough, have them participate in your routine by lifting very small weights or counting your repetitions, or take them with you on your daily walk. Show your family what it means to be healthy by giving them a good role model.

4. "I can't seem to stay motivated to continue working out".

Staying motivated can be difficult. If you're tired, stressed or bored with your workouts, it's difficult to keep going. To combat lack of motivation, change your routine every 4 to 6 weeks by trying something new or changing your intensity or time. Remember to reward yourself and remind yourself of your goals.

The Female Z NE

It's all about you.

It's All About You.

Top 10 Reasons
We Don't Exercise

Start now - make exercise part of your daily routine. At any age, increasing your daily activity, even by a small amount, can make a difference.

3. "Exercise HURTS!"

It is not necessary to hurt yourself to reap the benefits of exercise. When doing your cardiovascular exercise, make sure you're in your target heart rate zone. You should be able to carry on a conversation, not huffing and puffing. When it comes to weight training, there should be effort involved since lean body tissue only grows when you challenge yourself. Using the heaviest weight you can handle for 12-16 reps will help you get the most out of your workouts. You should feel slight burning, but not teeth-gritting pain!

2. "I can't make the commitment to stick to an exercise routine".

When you look at working out in the long term (i.e., that you have to exercise on a daily basis FOREVER), it can be overwhelming. However, you don't have to modify your life overnight. Begin with small goals, such as to be more active every day by taking the stairs and moving around more. Decide you'll get up 10 minutes early to walk or lift weights. Over time, you can increase your workout time and try new things. For now, just worry about making it a daily habit.

1. "I don't have time!"

This is the biggest pussy excuse of all! Physically inactive people have just as much free time as those that exercise, so you can forget this excuse! If you have a busy schedule, here's some tips to get past it:

FITNESS:
WHY WE DON'T EXERCISE

•	Remember that exercise generates energy--the more energy you have, the more you'll get done each day.
•	Schedule your exercise time.
•	If you can't find a full 30 minutes during your day, break it up into 10 or 15 minute sessions.
•	Wake up a few minutes earlier and take a quick walk, use 15 minutes of your lunch hour to walk the stairs.
•	Keep a calendar/diary of your workouts to you can track your progress and stay motivated.
•	Walk the Dog!