Have you ever started a workout routine, only to throw it out the window a few weeks into it? I certainly have many times. Here are 5 commons reasons why you might trash your workout and 5 tips to overcome them and help you stay on track.
1) The workout is boring – Running or walking on the treadmill can get a bit dull after the first minute. When I’m on the treadmill, I try and keep it interesting by cranking up some funky music, but there’s more to cardio than just the treadmill. Pick something you enjoy doing like sports or hiking and incorporate that into your routine. Try different activities each time to add variety to your workout.
2) Life gets in the way – There’s always something trying to sabotage your workout isn’t there? Maybe you’ve had company at your house for the weekend, or maybe you’re trying to get rid of a cold. I haven’t been working out as much lately because I’m in spring cleaning mode, but at least I know that I’m burning calories while I’m mopping the floors and washing walls. Whatever the reason, try and add in a little exercise even if it isn’t as much as you normally would. Anything is better than nothing at all.
3) Not enough time – This is probably one of the most common reasons why people don’t get enough exercise, but if your day is so busy that you can’t allow time to keep yourself healthy then maybe it’s time to reorganize your schedule. It might mean getting up earlier to go for a quick jog or playing a quick game of basketball with your kids before supper. If you can squeeze just 20 minutes out of your entire day to get in some exercise (all in one shot or in 10 minute bursts), you’re doing great. If you have to pencil it into your day planner, then do it!
4) Unrealistic weight loss goals – Not seeing results as soon as you’d like can cause you to give up your workout routine. You may have unrealistic expectations, or maybe you’re not trying the right type of exercises or eating properly. The average person shouldn’t aim to lose any more than 2 pounds a week, but a better way to set goals is to go by how you look and feel rather than your actual weight. Start by taking a picture of yourself wearing the same outfit once a week rather than checking the scale all the time. This way you’ll literally be seeing the results which will help motivate you to keep on trucking.
5) Injury or illness – If you suffer from arthritis, you’ll find that many exercises are too jarring for your joints. Some people with heart conditions can’t do strenuous activities. If you’ve got a broken leg you can’t do squats, pun intended 
The best thing to do in this situation is talk to your doctor and also do some research. There are almost always alternatives. Swimming is a great exercise for people with arthritis. If you have to watch your heart rate, you can still go for light walks. If you’re recovering from an injury, a physical therapist or rehabilitation worker should be able to show you some exercises you can do in the meantime.
6) You’re lazy – Here’s a bonus tip for you. Maybe one of the reasons above is keeping you from exercising, or maybe you’re just lazy. If that’s the case, then all I can say is get off your ass and start exercising! Get motivated to get healthy and stay healthy. I’ve got lots of motivation tips to help you lose weight so all you have to do is read and act on them. Get an exercise buddy (preferably one who isn’t lazy) to keep you accountable. You’ll most likely eat healthier and exercise more when you’re doing it with someone else. You can even create a little healthy competition to make sure you stick to it.
If you haven’t exercised in awhile, remember to start off slowly and gradually work yourself up to longer and more intense workouts as you gain strength and endurance. There’s a reason why you train for a marathon instead of just jumping right in to a 5 kilometer run. Your body has to adjust and gradually work its way up to it. Pacing yourself will also help you prevent you from dreading your next workout.
Tomorrow I’m going to talk about starting a new workout routine. If it’s been awhile since you’ve exercised (or if you’ve never had a regular workout routine before), you’ll want to check it out.
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