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Question asked by Angie Lee 1942 days ago

What is the biggest fitness challenge holding people back from starting or sticking to a program?

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Answered by Jana Angelakis 1942 days ago
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Consistently being able to find the time to exercise.
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Answered by Deanna Shankle 1942 days ago
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Having the time or making the time for themselves to exercise. I have found that even though people may have a little time for themselves, they do not want to take time from family and friends to exercise. Another reason could be financial matters.
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Answered by Christine Hales 1942 days ago
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Hi Angie,

I'm not sure there is just one reason as it varies--I think it depends on the person and the stage of change they are in... Some people are thinking about starting a program, but not really in the action stage yet. Others are in a program, but need motivation, support, and the desire to stay there. Some of the more common roadblocks could be time, money, support, desire, environmental, etc....

Many people may say time, but if you really want to do something you find the time. For others, it could be that they don't like to exercise and need some fun, motivating ways to get movement into their day. Knowledge about what to do is another roadblock.

So many factors depending on the individual, but those are the ones I hear the most.

Christine
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Answered by Harris Sophocleous 1942 days ago
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Their mind! Time is always the excuse behind everything, but the real obstacle here is the mind. I do not accept the excuse of not having even 90 minutes out of 168 hours (1 week).

BTW, Woodbridge VA is a great place to live!
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Answered by Nancy Korf 1941 days ago
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The excuse is often time.

The reason is more often motivation. It's not an easy thing to change habits, and exercise is hard work.
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Answered by Karin Singleton 1940 days ago
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Hi Angie,

it is often time and knowledge what to do.

I do not dismiss people's argument that they do not have time to exercise. It is also the perception of what exercise is. For example, somebody who cleans houses for a living has different needs than somebody who sits at the desk all day long.

I am on a mission to bring movement back into people's regular life rather than setting one hour per day apart of 'exercise'. Integrating more movement will bring the same if not more benefit.

Karin Singleton
www.meltnc.com
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Answered by Bradley Simpson 1940 days ago
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I believe the answer is prioritising exercise. Every person I have ever met who consistently prioritises their exercise and diet are fit and a healthy size.
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Answered by Martin Petrofes 1938 days ago
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Human nature. We are programmed for two things to survive. One, eat food when it is available. And two, conserve energy as expending it requires more food.

It hasn't been that long since we had to forage, fight, hunt, completely prep, defend and repeat for food everyday. The brain has two very strong reward mechanisms. food and love. When we get either, our brain goes "Woo Hoo!". And with food, the brain also says "more, more, more" for most people. Being able to turn that off is something that can be learned. But it takes a strong focus.

Then there is the conserve energy side. People generally prefer to lounge whenever possible. In times of abundance, people have historically partied. And if food was tough to come by, as soon as a belly was full, laying down to sleep was the next thought. Even mechanically, the brain attempts to get things done with as little energy as possible. There is something to "a body at rest tends to stay at rest" for people as well. But just like not eating everything in sight, we can learn to enjoy activity. But again it takes time to acquire that mindset.

And falling off the horse usually means starting almost from the beginning on either issue. But as both are learn-able habits, repeat attempts usually become easier. As long as there aren't any major disruptions physically or emotionally.

For our part, we just need to be the stead support and source of information that we dreamed we would be when we became fitness instructors. (And that works for us as well. We could all use a little support, a little faith, and a little success to keep us on the path.)
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Answered by Natalie Smith 1937 days ago
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Hello Angie Lee,
Classically, time and motivation stop people from continuing their program, be it fitness or otherwise. When something seems like a chore it is harder to complete. Do what you enjoy and you do not work a day in your life. It is our job to keep people motivated; job security for us, success for the client...we all win.
Take care,
Natalie aka NAPS 2 B Fit.
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Answered by Daniel Kosich 1567 days ago
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Good answers. I agree that one's perception of time availability is a significant obstacle. Perhaps you can ask your client to record a detailed log of several days' activities, meetings, meal breaks, etc to see if you can suggest when a 20-30 minute exercise session could be included. As I'm sure you know, there are a multitude of internet, and even IDEA TV, options. Time availability is often as much a perception as it is a reality.
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