13 EXCUSES SUPER-FIT CHICKS NEVER MAKE

FIT OR FAT?
 
 I JUST DON'T WANT TO WORK OUT

If your basic problem is that you just don't want to/don't see the need to exercise, you need a major wakeup call. We all need to work out regularly if we want to live longer, better-quality lives, says LA Fitness Trainer Danielle Spangler.

I'M ALREADY SKINNY, WHAT'S THE POINT?

Getting thin isn't the only (or even the best) reason to exercise. Whether you need to lose weight or not, our experts say you should approach your workout with a clear goal in mind. This could be anything from looking better in your skinny jeans to finishing a 5K.   

EXERCISE IS BORING...
Yes, mindlessly running on a treadmill while watching the news on your gym's TV can be a total snooze fest. But dancing in a Zumba class, rock climbing, and paddle boarding are the exact opposite of dull -- and they still count as exercise. 


I SUCK AT SPORT!

If the thought of joining your company's softball team sounds like less fun than an all-day root canal, that's OK. Marie-Josee Shaar, a personal trainer and author of "Smarts and Stamina," says your workout should play to your strengths.

I NEVER SEE RESULTS FROM EXERCISE

Personal trainer Steve Cabral says the best way to combat this frustrating feeling is to set yourself up for a "quick win." By starting off strong -- with a super-healthy diet and perhaps some boot camp-like fitness classes -- you could lose three to five pounds in your first week, which should certainly get you excited to continue.

I WANT TO HAVE FUN - NOT BE A SUPER HEALTH-NUT FREAK

Cabral says he recommends his clients have a weekly cheat meal (where you can eat whatever you want). Not only does this give you something to look forward to each week, but he says a cheat meal releases the hormone leptin, which tells the body you're not starving. The result? It can actually boost your metabolism and make you lose more weight over the next week.

I'M TOO SORE

If you're feeling too sore to move the day after a workout and can't even begin to attempt another minute of exercise, it's time to rethink your strategy.

I HAVE AN OLD BACK/FOOT/LEG INJURY THAT I DON'T DARE TO AGGRAVATE

While this excuse will get you out of some workouts, our experts say there are plenty of exercise methods that can actually help heal old injuries and ease body pain, which in turn can motivate you to work out even more.

I'M SO FRUSTRATED WITH MY PROGRESS!

Frustration is totally normal when you're working toward a fitness goal. The key, however, is to understand how to work through it. First, Gervais says we need to realize that frustration is a secondary emotion; it's actually a reaction to hurt or fear. 

EXERCISE IS OVERRATED

C'mon, you know this isn't true. But you may feel like it is if you don't really understand what you're doing. "I teach clients why they're doing the exercises, why they need to eat a certain way, so they understand what they're doing," says Cabral. "When you don't know why you're doing something, you'll fall off the wagon at the first sign of a set back.

I'M TOO TIRED/HUNGRY TO WORK OUT

This one has some genuine validity. After all, "your brain cannot be starving and have an effective workout," says Vokshoor. He adds that "state of mind dictates everything about physical performance." That's why proper nutrition and getting enough sleep is so important.

MY LIFE IS DEPRESSING OR STRESS ENOUGH,I'M NOT ADDING EXERCISE TO IT

If you're dealing with a job you hate, a stressful home life, or any major (or even minor) life crises, exercising is probably the last thing you want to do. But really, it should be the first. Exercise boosts endorphins and allows you to handle stress better.

I'M TOO BUSY WITH MY KIDS

Kids can certainly be exhausting, but there are ways to use them to your workout advantage.