Common Fitness Hurdles And How to Overcome Them

1. Tiredness 

It may be that you wake up in the morning and feel too tired to lift your body our of bed. Or you may have been at work all day, and the last thing you want to when you get home is exercise. Whatever the case, there is just too much effort in getting your mind and body motivated, and your natural inclination is to go to sleep or continue to hit the snooze button! 

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Tip: There could be an issue with your sleeping pattern, as you need to be getting a regular 7-8 hours a night to give yourself a fighting chance of exercise in the morning. Then, as you are going about your day, ensure you eat well and drink plenty of water. A good diet can boost your energy levels, meaning you will be more inclined to exercise at the end of the day if you didn't in the morning. No matter the reason, form good habits. The more sleep you get, the healthier your lifestyle, the more energy you will have to keep fit.   

 

2. Busyness 

It's a common excuse. "I just don't have the time." Hmmm... we're not buying it. You don't have time to care for your body? You might be busy, but that shouldn't be a giant hurdle to a fitness regime.

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Tip: For starters, it might be time to reevaluate your schedule. What are you busy with? If you don't have time to exercise because your Netflix watch-list "isn't going to watch itself," or some other such excuse, then you need to prioritize your life. Exercise is important, so don't replace fitness with something that can be put off for some other time. You can also keep fit as a part of your daily routine: walk or cycle to work instead of driving. When you're on your lunch break, go for a walk around the block.  

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3. Boredom 

You want to exercise, but it's just so boring! Rather than filling your time with ways to boost your fitness levels, you prefer to fill your time with fun! In short, exercise has become a chose to you, and your motivation level is zero whenever you think about getting into your gym gear or running shorts.  

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Tip: Our first question is this: why is exercising boring? Is it because you're following the same routine? Are you exercising alone? Think about it, and then so something that will alter your mindset. For starters, you might want to mix up the way you exercise. Think about finding ways to have more fun during exercise. Try a class at the gym to join a running or cycling group. It's also fun to have a workout partner, so you have someone to talk to during your exercise, and it helps with accountability too! 

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4. Pain 

No pain, no gain, right? Well, not really. Sure, a little pain is expected occasionally, especially when you are first starting out on a fitness journey. However, if aches and pains persist, then you need to cut back and determine the cause. You could be overworking yourself, and are in danger of causing injury if you try to push through it.  

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Tip: Don't carry on with your workout if you are in serious or persistent pain. this is one hurdle that you don't need to overcome, such as seeing a physical therapist. To ensure you don't put off exercise in the future because you are scared of the pain factor, remember to take it easy. Fitness is about taking small steps, limbering yourself up before going at a pace that you and your body are comfortable with. In short, don't do a marathon until you have conquered those shorter distances first. 

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5. The Expense  

This can be an easy obstacle to overcome! I always say all you need are a pair of sneakers and a comfortable outfit and you can exercise anywhere. Walking or running are great forms of exercise and are virtually free! However, if you like to do fitness classes or lift weights, you may want to join a gym. Membership fees can be high, and while new members can benefit from discounts used as incentives to join, existing members are often hit with rising prices. 

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Tip: Our first tip is to shop around when looking for a gym. You may be able to find a cheaper price elsewhere, so don't stick to your current gym if prices keep rising. Also, you may be able to benefit from those incentive discounts mentioned above. On the other hand, don't rule out setting up a home gym.