Top 5 Workout Excuses (And How to Beat 'Em)
Dana Meltzer Zepeda,SELF magazine
Full disclosure: There's a very good reason why somebody coined the phrase "lazy days of summer." No matter how dedicated I am to working out the rest of the year, once the sun emerges, hitting the beach becomes infinitely more appealing than hitting the gym.
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So what's a girl to do? There's no reason to sacrifice beach BBQs or sunbathing (wearing SPF!) with your girlfriends, but lounging by the surf doesn't necessarily mean you need to ditch your fitness goals. We recently caught up with celebrity trainer Manning Sumner (that's him, above) to score his top tips to overcome summer's most common workout pitfalls.
The Excuse: "I Sweat While I Tan-- That Counts, Right?"
Trainer Tip: "A very bizarre but common excuse I hear all of the time is women aren't going to work out because they are going to the beach to work on their tan," says Sumner. "Tanning is not exercise! A lot of women think that, because they are sweating, they are actually losing weight. This is definitely not the case. You have to actually do some type of physical activity to shed pounds and see results."
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The Excuse: "I'm Not Feeling Great."
Trainer Tip: "Using the injury/ sick route is a common scenario to avoid hitting the gym," says Sumner. "Popular ones include, 'It's that time of the month. I have a headache. My stomach hurts.' There is a difference between feeling sore or sick and actually being injured. Just because you feel a little achy doesn't mean you have an excuse to not work out. It is important to not sweat the small stuff to see results. In the end it will be worth it!"
The Excuse: "I'm Going to Relax on Vacation!"
Trainer Tip: "Summer is jam-packed with long weekends and vacations," says Sumner. "You can work out anywhere, anytime. You just have to be motivated! Go for a run on the beach, work out in the hotel gym or do laps in the hotel pool. You may have to get creative but, ultimately, it comes down to you to make time. Make a fun playlist (or listen to one of SELF's workout playlists!) to run on the beach, try something new and exciting like water aerobics. If there is a will, there is a way!"
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The Excuse: "I Can't Mess Up My Hair."
Trainer Tip: "I always hear, 'I can't work out and sweat because my hair will be ruined' or 'My nails are freshly done and I don't want to risk getting a chip in my manicure,' says Sumner. "Your hair and nails will survive an hour-long workout. You will look and feel even better if you get your workout in and your hair done all in one day. Looking good means taking care of your whole body--stomach, legs and arms--included."
The Excuse: "I Don't Know How to Use Gym Equipment."
Trainer Tip: "If you don't know how to use a specific machine, look it up on the Internet or ask someone at the gym," says Sumner. "Education is the first step to success but you have to be willing to learn. There are so many outlets available to learn this information including YouTube but you have to show the initiative to educate yourself." Start here with SELF's Guide to Strength Machines Every Woman Should Use.
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