Obesity in America has skyrocketed in the past few decades. With the increase of fattening fast food chains, and the decrease of physical activity, its no wonder obesity has surpassed smoking as the leading cause of preventable death. There are a myriad of excuses for some people to not lose weight. If you want to live a long, healthy life, you need to identify these and defeat them.
1. My whole family is big
Genetics aren’t the problem in these cases, its the habits. If you have bigger parents, you’re learning the same life-threatening habits from them. This will be passed on to your children as well if you decide not to make the change. Things like over-eating, eating the wrong foods, and having no exercise routine are all inherited from your parents. There’s no “fat gene” keeping you this way, just yourself, and a lifetime of poor diet and exercise.
2. Its a glandular problem
No, its an attitude problem. An under-active thyroid will definitely make it harder to lose weight. Its not impossible. Many people who say this can also be found in the drive-thru line. They see this as a reason for not trying, when its just a reason to try harder. A thyroid problem doesn’t come with a certificate saying “its OK to not be healthy.”
3. I can’t go to a gym in my current state/the gym is too far
Well now, you’re never going to get to a better state without some physical activity. You can still go to the gym, and if people have something smart to say, remind yourself that you’re doing something about it. If you still can’t bring yourself to go to a gym, then don’t. You don’t need a gym to exercise. Pop in a workout DVD, or go for a walk around town every morning.
4. Healthy people get heart attacks too
This is probably one of the most ridiculous excuses I’ve heard my entire life. While healthy people can get heart attacks, their risk is much lower then that of someone who is overweight, or obese. Not to mention all of the other obesity-related health complications, such as stroke, certain cancers, diabetics, and more. Sure you could still get a heart attack when healthy, but your chances are much slimmer.
5. I don’t have the time
If you have time to watch your favorite TV show, you have time to work out. There’s no such thing as no time to workout. Instead of sitting on the couch to watch TV, get up and jog in place, do squats, get moving! Lunch break at work? Take a walk for ten minutes when you’ve finished your meal. Take note of times during the day when you’re not doing anything, and start using that time productively.
6. I don’t have time to make healthy meals for work
Make your meals beforehand, and refrigerate them. Or just stick with some bagged salad and low calorie dressing for when you’re rushed. Make a sandwich with whole wheat bread, use mustard instead of mayo since it has no calories.
7. I have low metabolism
That’s because you don’t exercise. Working out daily gives you energy, and builds muscle which boosts your metabolism.
There you have it, the top excuses for not being healthy, and why they aren’t valid. Start the change, now that you know you can.