From festive lights sparkling all over Crystal Lake to busy malls full of people searching for the perfect gift for this holiday season, there is no way to escape noticing that the year is ending. This time is when many people celebrate their successes and reflect on what they would like to improve during the new year.
From new year’s resolutions to personal goals, one thing that many people want to improve upon is incorporating exercise into their daily routine, but why is it such a struggle for many people? There are many reasons why people struggle with adding activity to their life, from lack of motivation to lack of time.
One reason why many people have trouble is because when they begin the process of incorporating exercise into their everyday life, they tend to go extreme. People tend to start working out five days a week and restricting their diet as a way to commit to being healthier. Although this tends to backfire on many people, because drastically changing your daily habits is very hard to sustain.
One thing that you may have heard people say is: “There is no excuse for not working out for at least 1 hour every day, that is only 1 out of 24 hours of your day,” but that logic is incorrect because not everyone has the same 24 hours. If someone has a full-time job, children, or any other personal responsibilities they may have limited free time and would rather use that time to relax.
Sure, some people may be able to function that way, but many people have other responsibilities that supersede working out, like work or personal life. Working out every day may also cause you to abandon your fitness journey. According to Health-line.com: “Working out daily can lead to injuries, fatigue, and burnout. All of these things can cause you to abandon your fitness program altogether.” Instead of exercising every day, it may be better to start out slowly and gradually increase the intensity and duration of your exercises.
Also, there are many other barriers that prevent people from exercising. There are financial barriers, like not being able to afford a gym membership, proper exercise wear or equipment, or even having enough food to sustain your workout. There are social barriers, like being embarrassed because you are new to exercising or being afraid of being shamed for being overweight or not looking “fit enough.” People might also have mental health issues, which can cause a lack of motivation or excessive anxiety around working out. Many people are quick to shame others for not working out, but it is important to have empathy and be kind towards others. Everyone is on their own journey.
People might think that just because they don’t exercise every single day that they are not getting any health benefits, but that isn’t true. Time Magazine states that: “Even small doses of activity can increase blood flow and improve the body’s ability to regulate blood-sugar levels. Over time, these changes could reduce your risks for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.” Any exercise, even in short sessions, could improve your health over time.
Many people have trouble thinking of smaller ways to incorporate exercise into their daily life, but simple things like taking a 10-minute walk or dancing to your favorite songs help you begin to improve your health.
Many people view exercise as a chore, but it doesn’t have to be. According to BetterHealth.gov, one way to add exercise into your daily routine is to “choose an exercise that you really enjoy. Don’t swim if you prefer running, and don’t choose a solitary sport if you prefer the fun and social aspects of a team sport like basketball.” If you are unsure what type of exercise you want to do, try something that sounds fun and interesting.
Another way to incorporate activity in your life is to combine it with something you enjoy. An example of this is to watch television while you run or walk. Finding something that you already enjoy and combining it with exercise is a great way to start exercising daily.
Once you are ready to build a consistent workout routine, it may be daunting at first. You may not know where to start or be afraid that you are doing something wrong. According to Thaddius Jay, a local bodybuilder in McHenry, who has been bodybuilding for about 50 years: “Proper Technique is very important. And rest. Rest is very important. You don’t want to work out too quick without letting the muscles rest, because they build up lactic acid…. That is how most people get hurt, they do not listen to their body.” No matter what type of exercising you are doing, it is extremely important that you do everything properly, even if it is at a slow pace. It is also important that you allow your body to rest because your body won’t be able to build itself back up after a workout.
Whether it is your first time trying to add exercise to your routine or exercise is something you have always struggled with, it is important to not give up. Just because you haven’t exercised in months, doesn’t mean you will never be able to become healthier through exercising. Health is a lifelong journey and like anything in life, there will always be ups and downs.
