Many of us start out with the best intentions when it comes to exercising, for many of us we choose to make a resolution each year that we are going to become fitter and healthier.

This probably lasts for a few weeks or maybe as long as a few months before slowly the excuses begin to appear for missing out one or two routines then this becomes more and more and before we know it our plan had dropped to maybe just one day a week or maybe it stopped altogether.

When we fall short of reaching the goals we set for ourselves with the new exercise regime we often blame it on our lifestyle, we simply don’t have the time, and here are some of the excuses we commonly use, but are they viable?

• My body is sore so it needs resting – Soreness of the muscles does in fact mean that your body needs a break and a chance to recover for this is just as important as exercising, just as when you are feeling ill it is important that you take the time out to let your body fight off the disease before returning to your routine.
• I haven’t got the time to exercise – Many of us do lead busy lives and finding time to exercise can be a problem, but we don’t have to exercise for hours at a time, a workout 15 minutes per day 4 days a week is all that is needed to begin to show results.
• Gym membership is so expensive – Many gyms offer discounts of some kind if you are on a low income and many have promotional offers that you could take advantage of, failing that going to a gym isn’t the only option for keeping fit simple home equipment can be purchased for a reasonable price. Rowing machines, exercise bikes, small weights and workout videos are just some of the things that you can purchase to help you at home.
• I’m bored with my workout – Anything that is repetitive will get boring so instead of doing the same exercises over and over in your routine try and vary them, if you do sit ups and stomach crunches then exchange these for skipping or jogging or the spot. Maybe you could use the exercise bike for 5 minutes then change to the rowing machine. Make your plan varied so you don’t lose interest in your routine.
• I don’t see any results – We often get impatient and expect to see miraculous results immediately when we begin an exercise regime, just because you haven’t lost pounds doesn’t mean it isn’t working, look in other places measure your waist or thighs write down the results and keep a diary that way you can see the results over a set period of time .
• I don’t want to look stupid in front of other’s at the gym – Most gyms will offer a beginners class to get you started here all the people first starting out with exercise routines can work out together and there will be no one showing off that they can do 100 stomach crunches or workout on the tread mill for an hour without even breaking a sweat. Remember these people had to start out the same way as you are doing.