Why don’t we ‘just do it’?
The Cancer, Diabetes, Heart and Stroke, Parkinson’s, Osteoporosis Societies as well as doctors and psychologists all tell us to exercise 30 minutes most days of the week yet 48% of Canadians are inactive and 25% sit for most of the day (Statistics Canada). To be considered ‘active’ you need to expend the number of calories needed to walk and hour a day or jog for 20 minutes per day; ‘moderately active’ means walking 30 minutes a day or taking an hour-long exercise class three times a week and ‘inactive’ means using less calories than it takes to walk half an hour a day. The good news is that older ( 65+) Canadians fare a bit better than the average with 43% inactive but surprisingly 49% of 55-62 year olds are inactive.
The barriers to exercise can be complicated and diverse. From my 20 years experience in the fitness industry the top ones are:
1. I don’t want to hear it: The weight of evidence to support regular exercise is so extensive that it is hard to escape from but the choice to include exercise into your lifestyle is not an easy one so some people decide that the effort isn’t worth it for them.
Solution: This is a tough one that comes back to your personal value proposition. I find that when people realize they can add years to their lives, feel better, look better and prevent many diseases they decide that maybe it is worth the effort.
2. I am not an ‘exercise’ person
Solution: It doesn’t matter if you are not sporty and don’t approve of Lycra as a fashion statement, you need to find an exericse that can work with your life and make it happen.
3. I don’t know where to start: The amount of information on exercise is overwhelming and can cause people to give up before they get started. Questions like how much exercise should I do, what kind is best and for how long have conflicting and sometimes confusing answers.
Solution: Try not to get too bogged down with the technicalities and latest fitness trends. For health benefits, exercise 30 minutes most days of the week including 2-4 strength training workouts and some stretching. For weight loss, bump the number to 60 minutes of exercise most days of the week.
4. I don’t have the money
Solution: If you really don’t have the money for paid exercise design your own program with free activities such as walking, strength training at home and some simple stretches. For many Canadians, they have the money to spend on things that they enjoy such as hair cuts, massages and vacations but don’t want to part with it for exercise which can feel like hard work. It comes back to the value proposition of exercise, if you believe in the immense benefits that exercise can bring to your life the costs are put into perspective.
If you need advice or help setting up an exercise program don’t hesitate to e-mail me at erin@vintagefitness.ca |
Wellness goes beyond weight loss
