According to recent research the most common justification people don't exercise is:



1. I don't have the time

2. It's genetic, my family is overweight so there's nothing I can do about it.

3. I'm too tired to exercise

With daily responsibilities it may not be convenient to fit exercise into your schedule, but think of it this way - how convenient is a heart attack? As we become less active, heart disease becomes increasingly active - it's the number one killer in Americans. Due to technological advances such as drive up windows, remote controls, the amount of calories we burn is 10,000 calories less a month now compared to 1970! Consequently, there are more people struggling with weight and health risks now than ever before. It takes 3500 calories to gain or lose a pound. Those 10,000 calories represents approximately 3 pounds a month of weight gain or 36 pounds a year. The good news is you can also lose 36 pounds a year by making small modifications to your daily activities. Fitting in just 30 minutes a day of functional fitness exercise is better than days, weeks or months spent being sick and tired.

As far as your genetics go: some of us will have a tougher time at losing weight because of genetic factors. Some of us are predisposed to have larger hips or stomachs. However, the right functional exercise program combined with a sensible eating plan plays a larger part in the success of your weight loss. Most of the chronic disease today is linked to poor eating habits, smoking, inactive living and stress. Fortunately, these are habits that you can take charge of.

You just have to decide to do it and stick to your plan! If it seems overwhelming, just do it one day at a time and remember this mantra, (you can stick it to your bathroom mirror) "I will divorce myself from _________________(fill in the blank: for me it was chocolate) and regain custody of my strong, healthy body."

Here is what a good fat burning fitness program does for you.

1. Reduces your risk of getting heart disease

2. Increase your level of muscle strength

3. Improves the functioning of your immune system

4. Helps you manage stress

5. Helps you lose weight

6. Improves the likelihood of surviving a heart attack.

7. Helps relieve tension headaches

8. Speeds up your body's ability to burn fat

9. Decreases Injury risk

10. Increases bone density

11. Reduces the risk of developing high blood pressure

12. Increases levels of healthy cholesterol

13. Reduces your risk of developing non insulin dependant diabetes

As far as being too tired to exercise: If your get and go has gone up and went this important tip should help you get going again. A study involving over 6800 people in 70 studies found that exercise increased energy and reduced fatigue - and not just in healthy people - people who had cancer and heart disease also benefited with an energy boost.

One of the toughest barriers to achieving weight loss is your own belief system that exists in your mind. Rather than excuses that will negatively affect your health, believe and trust in yourself that you can make the change happen. I believe in you