Fitness

13 Excuses Super-Fit Chicks Never Make

Hate to exercise? These expert tips will motivate you to reach for your running shoes

by Sarah Carrillo

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The Excuse: "Exercise is boring" Yes, mindlessly running on a treadmill while watching the news on your gym's TV can be a total snooze fest. But dancing in a Zumba class, rock climbing, and paddle boarding are the exact opposite of dull -- and they still count as exercise.

The trick is to continually search for workouts that are fun so you actually enjoy exercising. Aside from trying new classes at the gym, Williamson says, "I browse YouTube a lot to see what new stuff folks are trying out; it's interesting to see what some people do with little to no equipment."

But even if you do stick with your regular routine, Barry Jay, co-founder of Barry's Bootcamp, says you can create a fun environment to motivate yourself to get through even the most mundane routine. "Lighting, amazing music of all genres, and humor can help you push through a workout," he says.

Another way to keep exercise from getting old is to add in the element of competition, says Dr. Amir Vokshoor, MD, a neurosurgeon who studies the brain in relation to athletes at the DISC Sports and Spine Center in Marina del Rey, Calif. He explains that after awhile, anything we do repeatedly (like lifting weights or 30 minutes on the elliptical) becomes easier, and that's when our brain starts to resent the exercise. "When an exercise isn't fun anymore, the brain needs surprises, risk, and danger," says Vokshoor. "Competitive sports can give you that risk and danger."

SEE NEXT PAGE: The Excuse: "I suck at sports"

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Older comments

That's true not because you are skinny you can't eat anything. Exercise and proper nutrition is the key to be a healthy you

by Carl30 Friday, April 19, 2013 at 08:26AM Report as inappropriate

Great tips!

by tallredamanda Thursday, January 10, 2013 at 03:41PM Report as inappropriate

Interesting tip's... great advice if only I wasn't sick with LUPUS def. would love to be able to it all..

by Tlee Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at 10:12AM Report as inappropriate

Dang! I just got my slap in the face.

by Sari Monday, January 7, 2013 at 09:34PM Report as inappropriate

Love this. It just killed every excuse I've ever made and some I never even thought of.

by NillaButterfly Monday, December 24, 2012 at 09:18PM Report as inappropriate

Darn, this article shot down all my excuses. Now I guess I'll have to get off my lazy butt and exercise!

by WiccanLady Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 02:40PM Report as inappropriate

Great article.

by nicky22 Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 11:41AM Report as inappropriate

This article does a nice job at pointing out hurtles in adopting a lifestyle of working out. It does not however emphasize the lifestyle changes needed to keep fit beyond working out. Simply creating habits like walking a mile to work from the bus stop and going out of your way to be thoughtful of the food you eat, makes a much greater difference in health than a rigorous work out regime without lifestyle change.

by summerlotus5 Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at 06:11AM Report as inappropriate

Definitely guilty of a few of these

by kimihavens Monday, November 5, 2012 at 12:57PM Report as inappropriate

excuses come so easily! i used to do that and ever since i just stopped making them, i have been feeling so much better about myself and it feels great!

by danny54f Friday, October 12, 2012 at 09:00AM Report as inappropriate