4 Sneaky Reasons Why We Don’t Exercise
There’s not much debate at this point. Exercise is good for us. The list of studies that points to this is extensive. Is it even worth our consideration to ask- should we exercise? At this point a better question might be- why don’t we exercise?
In my own experience I’ve had to improve my relationship to exercise. To enjoy it, remain consistent, and reap it’s benefits.
I’ve spent many years tracking tendencies of my own practice and coaching others. Here are some of the reasons I’ve discovered that keep us from exercising.
1. Resistance
The biggest resistance of any training session is the one you face before you start. A whole host of excuses and reasons not to do it. There are two sides to fighting this resistance.
First side is removing as many potential barriers as possible. If you’re struggling to make it to the gym, create a space at home. If you are lacking direction, get help with a plan. If you’re in pain and injured, seek support and treatment. Remove as many obstacles as possible.
Second part is to overcome the mental resistance. The mind loves preservation and is very clever in advocating for it. When the question arises “is it a good idea to train?” Let the body answer. Take it through a 10 minute warm up and see how you feel after that. If you still feel sluggish and not up for it, listen to the body. If it’s feeling like it’s got a few sets in take it one exercise at a time.
The body is our most honest asset. Our mind can be a little tricky. Ask the body if it wants to move. It will let you know what’s best.
2. Internal Culture
This has been a big one for me. Whenever I’m in a slump or inconsistent with my training it’s often accompanied by a lower self-esteem. That’s a tough combination to overcome and create momentum for consistency.
Imperative to overcoming that slump is a supportive culture. This includes the culture inside my own head. If every time I go to exercise I’m met with a toxic coach or training partner I’m not going to want to go. The coach or training partner that lives in my head is not exempt from this.
If there is a resistance to training, track what is going on in the mind during the session. Creating a healthy internal culture is a game changer in diminishing that resistance.
3. External Culture
The facility and community you train with matters. Do you feel supported, encouraged, and welcomed where you train? This could include your home. This could include your favourite virtual app or your local gym. Track how it makes you feel.
Does it inspire you to exercise? Does it make you feel intimidated, judged, or stressed? This can add to resistance and there is no one size fits all. What works for your friend might not work for you.
Empower yourself to make the choice. Explore to find your place. It could be alone in your home gym, a room full of meatheads, or an ecstatic dance party. Find the right fit free of judgement from yourself or anyone else.
4. Entitlement
Having a healthy body that feels capable and vital is not a given. With all the advancements in medicine and health it’s tempting to outsource the job. There is an endless list of products promising to help us feel fantastic.
I catch myself all the time thinking that I should be feeling good and wonder why I’m not. The truth is that we have not advanced so far beyond our own evolution. Our body still needs movement. Stress. Recovery. We haven’t hacked our way out of this. So if I’m not feeling good, 9/10 times, I’m the one responsible for it.
As soon as I slip into an entitlement mindset my consistency falls taking my well-being with it. Taking responsibility is the antidote to entitlement. The results are the reward.
These could all be reasons why we get inconsistent with our training practices. Even though we know how good it can be for us! What makes these so effective at blocking us is that they’re sneaky. None of them are blatant and so we need track them. Mindful observation can lead to a serious break through. Cleaning up any of these will help to make training more consistent and more enjoyable too!
