Why We Don't Exercise

Despite the evidence collected over the years showing that regular physical activity has a positive impact on physical and mental health, many people just don't get in their 30 minutes a day. In diabetes, there is no doubt that regular physical activity is an important part of self-care.

Q Do you know how many calories you can burn by walking at 2 miles per hour?
right

You can burn about 200 calories per hour (or 3.5 calories/minute) by walking at a speed of 2 miles per hour. Walking at a faster speed will burn more calories.

Wrong

You can burn about 200 calories per hour (or 3.5 calories/minute) by walking at a speed of 2 miles per hour. Walking at a faster speed will burn more calories.

So why don't we exercise?:

Here's just a few reasons people give for not exercising:

  • It's boring
  • I have no time
  • I'm too tired
  • Causes glucose to go too low
  • Causes too much pain or discomfort
  • I don't have anyone to exercise with
  • I'm too old to start exercising
  • I'm too overweight to exercise
  • It's not worth the effort
  • I just can't stick with an exercise program

Overcoming the barriers to exercise:

Most people know that exercise has a positive influence on almost every organ system in their body. But has this helped them get off the couch? Probably not. The secret to beginning and maintaining a regular exercise program is not about learning the benefits; rather, it is about overcoming the many excuses. Here are the seven major strategies for conquering them:

  1. Search for physical activities that are fun, enjoyable, or rewarding for you
  2. Modify your environment to make exercise as convenient as possible
  3. Develop a concrete plan for exercise that is reasonable for you
  4. Pay attention to the beneficial effects of exercise on your blood glucose
  5. Get some company
  6. Seek out professional advice
  7. Fight back against your own self-defeating thoughts

This information is a summary from "Diabetes Burnout" hand has been provided with the permission of the American Diabetes Association.

"Diabetes Burnout" is recommended by the American Diabetes Association as an invaluable guide that addresses the emotional issues that can become barriers to good self-care.

Click on the image to go to the American Diabetes Association bookstore.

Note: Care4life has no commercial interest in any of the books or resources it recommends.