By Tom Bonanti

You could not have made a better New Year’s Resolution than to dedicate more time to achieving a fitter, healthier, more beautiful body. Now that we are nearly finished with January, why are you still making excuses to put off going to the gym? Perhaps you need to be reminded that besides making you look better, regular exercise can also prevent obesity, heart disease, high cholesterol, hypertension, Alzheimer’s disease, and Type 2 diabetes. In addition to these bonuses, many people who suffer from anxiety and depression have found that regularly working out can significantly elevate their moods and boost their self-esteem.

Here are a few commonly held excuses for not exercising, and why you need to get over yourself and get to the gym today:

1. “I’m too damn busy to exercise.”
Well, that just doesn’t hold water with me. You must make time for those things that matter to you most – your family, job, social life, etc. Your health is just as important as any of these. Schedule your workouts into your daily activities and stick to it! Get up an hour earlier and take a power walk before going to work. Pack a gym bag and stop at the gym on your way home instead of going to “happy hour.” You must make time for those things that are important to you. Some of the busiest, most successful people I know are also some of the fittest and healthiest as well.

2. “Exercise is boring.”
Maybe you are the one who is boring. Doing the same things every time you hit the gym will produce diminishing results, and leave you bored and frustrated. Define your goals, change your workouts, and hire a personal trainer to help you come up with a new routine. Try yoga, swimming, or any of the classes offered at your gym or community center. Don’t be lazy or shy. There are a myriad of opportunities to become fit and healthy in sunny South Florida.

3. “I’ll put off exercising until it gets warmer.”
While you procrastinate, you also become fatter and more sedentary, and unhappy with yourself. There’s no time like the present to get up and get moving toward a new healthier lifestyle. Start with one morning power walk or one yoga class after work. You’ll see just how great you feel. And there’s no cure for those winter-time blue moods than stimulating and challenging activities.

4. “I can’t exercise because I have aches and pains and health issues.”
You should never begin a new exercise program before getting a check-up from your doctor or health care professional. Sure, herniated discs, arthritis, high blood pressure, etc., are serious issues, but not impossible to deal with. For the most part, exercise that‘s done right can help you build flexibility at the joints and manage the pain of arthritis better than some traditional treatment programs. Regular training with manageable weights, yoga, stretching classes, and low impact aerobic routines have been shown to decrease pain and increase overall fitness levels.

As the New Year unfolds, don’t get left behind by friends and co-workers who have already embraced the fitness lifestyle. Stop making excuses to yourself. Just get up, get moving and join the fun today. Contact Tom Bonanti at TrainerTomB@aol.com for more inspiration.

Tom Bonanti, is a certified personal trainer and owner of Pump’n Inc gym at 1271 NE 9th Ave., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Email: TrainerTomB@aol.com     Facebook: TrainerTomB.      www.pumpnincgym.com