Excuses

763 Words2 Pages

The fact is exercise, seemingly no matter how intense it may be, yields impressive results. It’s apparent that exercise is good for individuals both healthy and unhealthy alike. However, the facts surrounding exercise apparently do not ensure that they will appeal to nor motivate some individuals to make exercise a priority in their lives. It has been well established that excuses work. They are very powerful tools that are used regularly because in some way individuals using them believe they provide some benefits. (Tyler) While excuses will seem to always be employed in some fashion, it is our job as fitness professionals to be just as precise in designing an individualized exercise adherence strategy for our clients that helps eliminates their excuses as we are in the exercise programs we create for them.

We need to be actively involved helping our clients plan, organize and prioritize their time and schedules. Not having time, and I cant get a break from the kids are a very weak excuses at best. We need to help our clients learn where they can multi task. We can teach them to schedule their exercise sessions and help them see that its position in their schedule is just as important as any other item on their to do list. We are in a unique position to discuss their concerns with their friends and family and help eliminate their barriers. We can help them find sitters that are willing to trade services as well as activities they can do together as a family with the kids that everyone can enjoy.
In fact getting their family and kids involved may eliminate the to tired and the exercise is boring excuses also. If we are doing our jobs correctly we should be thinking out of the box and not just focusing on the cardio and weight e...

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...er once they achieve a certain goal. Make their commitment to being active as appealing as their hobby or their former attraction to excuse making.

References:

1. Bloomquist, C. D., Gyurcsik, N. C., Brawley, L. R., Spink, K. S., & Bray, S. R. (2008). The Road to Exercise Is Filled With Good Intentions: Why Don't My Proximal Exercise Intentions Match My Actions?. Journal Of Applied Biobehavioral Research, 13(2), 102-118. doi:10.1111/j.1751-9861.2008.00030.x

2. Thacher, T., & Bailis, D. (2012). Selective defensiveness or nondefensiveness: How does relative autonomy relate to excuse-making when goal pursuits do not succeed?. Motivation & Emotion, 36(3), 323-337. doi:10.1007/s11031-011-9248-3

3. Tyler, J. M., & Feldman, R. S. (2007). THE DOUBLE-EDGED SWORD OF EXCUSES: WHEN DO THEY HELP, WHEN DO THEY HURT. Journal Of Social & Clinical Psychology, 26(6), 659-688.

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