Make a date with a happier, healthier you.

There is lots of evidence that exercise is good for you. Keeping fit means you reduce your risk of many diseases and some cancers. Despite the many benefits of exercise, statistics show that two-thirds of adults are not physically active on a regular basis and a quarter get virtually no exercise at all. As humans, we can be very clever in devising reasons and excuses not to exercise.

Most of us make excuses at one time or another for our behaviour and the reasons vary widely. In our busy and often stressful lives, we convince ourselves that there simply isn't time to be physically active. Excuses not to exercise appear more frequently when motivation begins to wane or boredom sets in. While one missed exercise session may feel insignificant, it may signal the beginning of an important motivational lapse. These excuses are the most dangerous. They signal a critical change in the individual's commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

It's time to face your excuses head-on so that you can overcome them and choose to live a healthier lifestyle. Here are some of the most common excuses for skipping exercise along with ways to combat them. We help thousands of people shape up and I have seen my fair of "excuse-gurus", so lets find solutions to beat these excuses.

1. I don't have time
This is by far one of the most common excuses used. Physically inactive people have just as much free time as exercisers, so you can chuck this excuse! If you fall into this category, then it's time to review your daily schedule. Get up earlier and take a brisk walk around the society. Of course, take the stairs instead of the elevator, walk around your office etc. Bottom line, be creative with your time.

2. I'm too old
You're still not. Exercise is an ageless activity, and it's the closest thing we have to the fountain of youth. Exercise may not erase the wrinkles on your skin, but it will increase your energy level, have you lose weight, reduce stress, allow you to live longer and healthier, and renew your confidence. And that's just for starters.

3. I am embarrassed because I am fat
That's all the more reason why you should go to the gym or start exercising. If you feel embarrassed by your physical condition, avoid the large gyms. Instead find a neighbourhood gym, where you won't feel out of place or just train at home. Most people are far too worried wondering what people think of them to take notice of others. Honestly, they don't spend time thinking you're silly, because they're too busy thinking that you think they're silly.

4. I don't Know where to start
A great way to ensure your workouts are most effective is to hire a personal trainer or an online personal trainer. Well-qualified trainers will keep you safe and enlightened.

5. I have tried and failed
People often quit because they schedule too many workouts, work too hard or don't give themselves rest days. If you've been unsuccessful at exercising in the past, then re-evaluate what went wrong. Be prepared the next time. Gradually increase the intensity of the workout.

6. I can't afford a gym membership
May be true but you don't have to spend a single minute in a gym in order to lose weight or get fitter. Just walking outside is a great place to start. Try walking, cycling or exercising at home.

7. There is no gym near my house
So who said you have to work out in a gym? There are lots of places you can get the exercise you need. At home. At work. Going from home to work. All you really need is a pair of athletic shoes, a bit of imagination and a willingness to try different things.

8. I don't have any exercise equipment
It has been said that you can tell a great trainer by his ability to train a client without equipment. While equipment isn't necessary, it can certainly enhance your fitness routine and add variety. But don't let lack of equipment be the reason you don't exercise. Try push-ups or or yoga; they don't require any equipments.

9. Exercise is boring
Don't view exercise as a lifetime evil. Walking, dancing, tennis, swimming, cycling, hiking, gardening, aerobics, playing with your children, jumping rope; there are countless forms of physical activity to choose from. With so many ways to become active, all you need to do is find a few activities that you enjoy and alternate between them.

10. Exercise takes too much time
You can get a great workout in 30 minutes, the amount of time you spend watching a really bad TV series. If you don't have that much time, break it down into more manageable segments; say ten minutes at a time. You'll soon find that you don't need to do everything in one big block.

11. I am stressed
Exercise helps to reduce stress and frustration and improves your mood. People who regularly workout handle stressful situations more easily and tend to suffer less anxiety and depression. Try a form of exercise that doesn't require you to concentrate, like walking or running, and you may find that you are able to solve irritating problems as you exercise.

Remember that doing something is better than doing nothing. Consider other ways to be physically active. In case you haven't got the message, the important thing is to do more than you're doing now, and keep doing it. Make a date with a happier, healthier you.