Understanding the "Why" of Exercise Procrastination

By Dan Nguyen

We all know how easy it can be to procrastinate in order to avoid going to the gym or to put off starting our workout routines. Here are my tips to help you get moving:

• Unpack Emotional Baggage: Many people have limiting beliefs they are not even aware of that keep them from achieving their health and wellness goals. Let go of these counterproductive thoughts and replace them with thoughts and visualizations to help you get and stay fit.

• Seize the Day: Many people put off exercise until later in the day when they are tired, their energy has dropped, and they are more likely to find excuses not to do it. Instead, try visualizing yourself as healthy and fit first thing when the alarm goes off. Even those who are not morning people can reprogram their waking thoughts to prioritize exercise early in the day.

• Refocus: I’ve heard all the excuses from my clients! They may be focusing on how terrible the parking space is going to be, or how the gym gets really packed or how they hate being sweaty. When they are focusing on these things, of course it is going to be hard for them and they are going to procrastinate. Refocus on the thoughts that move you closer to your goal – for instance, getting to the gym early avoids parking problems and overcrowding, while sweating is a sign of an effective workout.

Dan Nguyen is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), a brain-training method proven to help people improve their results. He is also is a certified hypnotherapist by the Association for Integrative Psychology (AlP) and a trainer certified by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). Please visit Dan T. Nguyen