Which One is Your Excuse?
I don’t want to put this too strong, but the fact is people have lots of excuses about why they do not walk regularly or exercise. Maybe one of them will be familiar to you.
“I Do Not Have Enough Time.”
Most people blame a lack of time as the number one excuse for not walking or exercising. Successful walkers make walking a priority. An easy way to get this started is simply to make your daily routines include some walking. Park a few blocks from work. Park further out from the store when stopping. Instead of finding a way to do 30 minutes on the treadmill walk 10 minutes before and after work, ten minutes at lunch and then you have your 30 minutes without a major schedule interruption. If you do join a gym, pick one that is close to home. To save more time and money, set up a home gym with a few dumbbells and a walking program. At TriState Hand, Foot, & Ankle Therapy, we can guide you on what you need to do to get started.
“I Am Too Old.”
Really? It is never too late to get started walking. And some dumbbells to build strength and a simple core strengthening program will not kill you, trust me. No matter how old you are, your muscles will respond quickly to training. If you have health problems consult your physician first.
“I Am Too Tired.”
It may sound crazy to use energy to build up your energy, but you can. Studies show people who walk regularly have better strength and endurance. It also improves your memory! People who walk regularly have larger brains, studies show. It doesn’t take much. Try walking 10 then 20, and if possible 30 minutes a day.
“I Am Not Fat, Why Should I?”
Inactivity is a risk factor for heart disease. In fact, it ranks as high as smoking! Walking boosts health and can lengthen your life. It can help manage your sugar levels, which helps control diabetes. Exercise and walking can help lower blood pressure and weight bearing exercise keeps bones strong and health too.
“It’s Too Painful.”
As a therapist, I am very familiar with this one. Studies show about one half of older adults, cite some ache/pain or disability as a reason for not walking or exercising. But, who said we are asking you to run a marathon? Walking is sufficient exercise for all practical purposes. People tell me a variety of excuses. “My balance is bad and I am afraid I will fall.” Okay, then get a balance assessment. I have noticed weak hips, butt, and core muscles are the big reason in the elderly for this problem. We have simple, easy to do programs to overcome this obstacle.
If joint pain in your back, hips, knees, or ankles/feet is an issue, let us take a look. Often these are muscle imbalance or weakness problems. With an expert stretching and targeted, specific muscle strengthening program, the excuse, “It’s too painful,” gladly goes by the way side. Also, if you have pain, see an expert, not just a personal trainer at the gym. We have more education and training to handle pain and injuries. Don’t overdo it!
We also have a very social environment at TriState Hand, Foot, & Ankle Therapy. If you can’t come here try recruiting some walking partners. Start a walking club. Get a good pedometer to measure your steps and set some goals. You can call us for a free screening or come on in to our free clinics every Monday 4 to 6 PM for a free consult on your problem. No excuses. Get off your butt and give us a call at 301-759-4263 and get started to a healthier you! You might just like your shape and yourself a little more. Bring a friend!
|
