According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, you should exercise for 30 minutes a day, five days a week.  It sounds simple, doesn’t it?  However, there are many excuses:

• I don’t have time.
• I’m too tired.
• My life is too stressful already.
• I don’t have the correct equipment.
• I don’t have time to go to the gym.

I’m sure there are more, but these are some of the most common that I’ve heard.  As with anything in life, we can make excuses and avoid things, or we can analyze our excuses and take action.  So. . .let’s analyze!

1. I don’t have time.

No, you probably don’t.  However, you can make time.  Do you make time in your day to post on Facebook, watch a favorite show, or chat with friends?  If so, take 30 minutes of the time that you spend doing those activities and allocate it to exercising.

2. I’m too tired.

Yes, you may be.  Life is tiring.  However, a thirty minute workout is more likely to increase your energy level than to make you feel more tired.  Find the time of day that works best for you, whether it be first thing in the morning, during your lunch break, or at the end of the day, and fit in a workout.

3. My life is too stressful already.

Adding another activity to your day may seem like adding one more straw to the proverbial camel’s back.  There is no denying that finding time can be a little tricky, but the benefits of finding that time are multiple.  A workout can be a great stress reducer.  Plus, regular exercise can help you lose a couple pounds, improve your blood pressure, and increase your stamina.

4. I don’t have the correct equipment.

What equipment do you need to start a workout regimen?  Not a lot, depending on the exercise you choose.  If you are looking for a simple way to incorporate exercise, all you need is a pair of decent sneakers and comfortable exercise clothes.  You now are ready to start an exercise program of walking.  Thirty minutes a day of walking at a brisk pace, which you can increase as your stamina increases, is the simplest (and least expensive) way to get started.  Add some crunches for your abs after the walk, and you have a decent workout.

5. I don’t have time to go to the gym.

You don’t need to go to a gym in order to improve your fitness.  Reread the answer to question four for more advice on how to start an exercise program simply and inexpensively.

What are you waiting?  It’s time to get started!