low-to-moderate intensity workouts. Walking an indoor track, indoor swimming and stop-and-go activities such as baseball are best for asthma sufferers.
“I’m too tired.”
Simply didn’t get enough sleep last night? A good workout is a great way to start your morning and give your body a boost of energy. If the fatigue is stress-related, exercise can actually reduce the feeling of stress.
Chronic fatigue, however, may be another issue. If you are always tired and it is affecting your ability to function, see your doctor. Chronic fatigue is a symptom of conditions including heart disease, anemia, hypothyroidism and sleep apnea.
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“I’m pregnant.”
Yoga, walking and swimming are great low-impact workouts for pregnant women. After the first trimester, avoid exercises that require you to lie on your back or otherwise put a strain on your back or belly such as sit-ups and bicycling. As long as you don’t plan to play a game of touch football or go horseback riding you are okay to exercise while pregnant. In fact, exercise during pregnancy can help make it easier for you to deliver your baby and get back to your pre-pregnancy weight after birth.
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“It hurts!”
Muscles can become sore if you overwork them. To keep soreness at a minimum, warm up by easing into your workout with a lower-intensity version of the workout you plan to do. For example, warm-up for a 30-minute jog with a 5-minute walk. Cooling down after a workout is equally important and should be the same or similar exercise done to warm up.
If you’re so sore from your last workout that your walk is more like a limp, give your muscles a rest for a day and lower your workout intensity next time.
“It really, really hurts!”
Not to be confused with soreness, sharp or shooting pains are reasons to skip the gym and head to a doctor to determine if an injury is present. An old injury that is still causing pain will also need to be checked out by a doctor.
Listen to your body and as long as your health is not at risk, leave your excuses at home and head to the gym.