“I am the champion of coming up with excuses to get out of workouts.”

By NAT HAWK

I am the champion of coming up with excuses to get out of workouts. Name the excuse, and I’ve come up with it before in my eagerness to slack off. It’s very naughty – especially considering that I generally then spend that workout time vegging out on the couch.

But it’s time to harden up and, as a wise fitness company once said, Just Do It. Here are the most common excuses used for skipping workouts. Together, we will get around them so that we can never really justify skipping a workout ever again.

1. “I’m too tired”

I know, I know. The days are long. By the time dinner time rolls around, you may barely have the energy to cook, let alone go to the gym and get on a treadmill for an hour.

Believe it or not, the best solution to this is actually to exercise first thing in the morning. If you get straight out of bed and head out for a run, it really doesn’t leave you much time to talk yourself out of it. Also, you get a heap of energy from the exercise endorphins, which powers you through the rest of the day.

2. “It’s too cold”

It’s called a jumper. Put it on. Heaps of sporting brands have hoodies and jackets made out of excellent wicking material that will keep you sweat-free and comfortable. But if you’re on a budget, something from Kmart will do equally as well. In winter, my running uniform is a long pair of Skins, a loose running top and a light hoodie that cost about $7.

I’m tired. And cold. And very, very busy.

3. “It takes too much time”

By the time you get dressed, drive to the gym, do your workout, have a shower, get changed and get home, two hours may have disappeared from your day. Which can be seriously inconvenient if you have a lot to do.

If you’re short on time, find workouts that are effective and don’t take long. Go for a 30 min run, or do a great DVD that doesn’t require a lot of time. My personal favourite is Brazil Butt Lift, and I’ve also heard great things about the Jillian Michaels and Michelle Bridges DVDs.

4. “My face will go all red and it won’t settle for hours and I have to go out soon.”

Oh, how I sympathise. By the end of my workout, I could easily be mistaken for Sebastian, the lobster from The Little Mermaid.

If you urgently have to get rid of that red face:

– Splash cold water on your face and put a cold towel across the back of your neck for a minute or two;

– Apply light make-up to the skin that won’t clog your pores. Take advantage of that natural post-workout glow! Tinted moisturiser and lip-gloss is perfect.

– Stay away from the blush.

5. “I don’t have time to shower again today”

It’s a good thing they invented wet wipes, hey? Wipe yourself down after your workout and make sure you get changed out of your sweaty clothes. Carry dry shampoo with you so that you can also brighten up sweaty post-workout hair.

Huzzah!

6. “I’m embarrassed by, er, body fluid issues”

Crotch sweat. Runner’s diarrhea. Exercise incontinence. They’re all problems that are associated with heavy workouts and they can all be embarrassing if they occur in the wrong place, wrong time.

Here’s the thing – all of these problems are far more common than people care to admit. Runner’s diarrhea, for example, can affect anywhere from a quarter to a third of runners. There are plenty of ways to manage it, all of which are largely related to diet.

Light bladder leakage is another issue.  43.4% of women experience bladder weakness when they’re working out. But many women don’t realise that it’s so common, and try to ignore it, only to end up more embarrassed and frustrated when it continues to be an issue.

I definitely didn’t know that it was so common. So here’s my message to you – if you have any symptoms, don’t put up with it. Bladder weakness is definitely something that can be dealt with in a far more subtle way than you imagine.

Also ensure that you’re kitted out properly for your workout. Proper running shoes help significantly, as the cushioning helps to reduce the impact on your pelvic floor. And if you’re worried about leaks occurring, use the right product to deal with the issue. A bladder leakage liner will keep you dry, fresh and stress-free – and wouldn’t that make life easier?

7. “My favourite show is on the tele.”

And that’s why the TV Gods invented catch up TV.

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