Happy Monday, I hope you had a great weekend! Per usual, mine was busy...filled with my son's hockey games and helping my daughter prepare for the Nutcracker. Also, I officially got back into training this past week, so I am following a real training plan and not just winging it anymore! My first week was fairly light, but I still needed to make sure I got in biking and running over the weekend in between everything else! It got me thinking about all of the different obstacles that can put a damper on training. So, today I am sharing some thoughts on: How to Overcome These Common Fitness Hurdles.

How to Overcome These Common Fitness Hurdles

Hurdle #1: Tiredness

It may be that you wake up in the morning, and feel too tired to lift your body out of bed. Or you may have been at work all day, and the last thing you want to do when you get home is exercise. Whatever the case, there is just too much effort in getting your mind and body motivated, and your natural inclination is to go to sleep or continue to hit the snooze button! 

Tip: There could be an issue with your sleeping pattern, as you need to be getting a regular 7-8 hours a night to give yourself a fighting chance of exercise in the morning. Check out these sleeping tips to ensure you get your full quota of z's. Then, as you are going about your day, ensure you eat well and drink plenty of water. A good diet can boost your energy levels, meaning you will be more inclined to exercise at the end of the day if you did not in the morning. In all cases, form good habits. The more sleep you get, and the more healthy your lifestyle, the more energy you will have to keep fit.

Hurdle #2: Busyness

It's that common excuse. "I just don't have the time." Hmmm… we're not buying it. You don't have time to care for your body?  You might be busy, but it shouldn't have to be a giant hurdle to a fitness regime.

Tip: For starters, it might be time to reevaluate your schedule. What are you busy with? If you don't have time to exercise because your Netflix watchlist "isn't going to watch itself," or some other such excuse, then it's time to prioritize your life. Exercise is important, so don't replace your time for fitness with something that can be put off until another time. On the other hand, if you are genuinely busy during the day, you might still follow our fitness tips to help you fit exercise into your day. You can also keep fit as part of your daily routine: walk or cycle to work instead of driving. When you're on your lunch break, go for a walk around the block. 

Hurdle #3: Boredom

You want to exercise, but it's just so boring! Rather than filling your time with ways to boost your fitness levels, you prefer to fill your time with fun! In short, exercise has become a chore to you, and your motivation level is zero whenever you think about getting into your gym gear or running shorts.

Tip: Our first question is this: Why is exercise boring? Is it because you're following the same routine? Are you exercising alone?  Think about it, and then do something that will alter your mindset. For starters, you might want to mix up the way you exercise. Follow these workout tips to both improve your enjoyment level and to improve your productivity during your workout. Also, think about finding ways to have more fun during exercise. Try an exercise class at the gym or join a running or cycling group.  It's also fun to have a workout partner, so you have someone to talk to during your exercise and it helps with accountability too!

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Hurdle #4: Pain

No pain no gain, right? Well, not really. Sure, a little pain is expected occasionally, especially when just starting out on a fitness journey.  However, if aches and pains persist, then you do need to cut back and determine the cause. You could be overworking yourself, and are in danger of causing injury if you try to push through the pain barrier.

Tip:  Don't carry on with your workout if you are in serious or persistent pain. This is one hurdle that you don't need to overcome if your body is telling you to call it quits for the day. Healing is required, either through rest or with medical attention, such as seeing a physical therapist. To ensure you don't put off exercise in future because you are scared of the pain factor, remember to take it easy. Fitness is about taking small steps, limbering yourself up before going at a pace that you and your body are comfortable with. In short, don't do a marathon until you have conquered those shorter distances first.

Hurdle #5: The expense

This can be an easy obstacle to overcome! I always say all you need are a pair of sneakers and a comfortable outfit and you can exercise anywhere.  Walking or Running are great forms of exercise and virtually free! However, if you like to do fitness classes or lift weights you may want to join a gym. Membership fees can be high, and while new members can often benefit from discounts used as incentives to join, existing members are often hit with rising prices.

Tip: Our first tip is to shop around when looking for a gym. You may be able to find cheaper prices elsewhere, so don't stick with your current gym if prices keep rising. Also, you may be able to benefit from those incentive discounts mentioned above. On the other hand, setting yourself up with a home gym is also a possibility. There is advice here to help you get started.

So Tell Me...

What are some fitness hurdles you have had to overcome? Are there any obstacles that you are currently struggling with? For me, #1 and #2 can be a real challenge!

Thank you so much for stopping by! As always, I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below.

Have a Great Week!