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Eliminating excuses is the first step on the path to physical fitness. This may be easier said than done...oops, that is also an excuse! We all have the same 24 hours in a day, and the body we were born with. Yet, people vary greatly in terms of fitness level. Why is that? Because the physically fit don't let lame excuses interfere with their commitment to their health.

Don't let the usual excuses keep you from starting, and sticking with, a reasonable exercise regimen:

1. "The gym is too far away/there isn't gas in the car/my cute workout clothes are dirty...{blah, blah, blah}"

Having your own exercise equipment, in your own domain, removes this line of reasoning. Forget commuting and work out at home. Not being willing or able to go somewhere doesn't have to get in your way.

2. "I don't have time to work out."

Working out will increase your energy, which will actually give you more time in your day, not less. And if you choose your exercises to give the most efficient workout, then 30 minutes, 3 times a week should be quite beneficial. That is possible by choosing fitness equipment that offers a variety of exercises, like the Bowflex Treadclimber, or a home gym that has multiple stations.

If you can't spare 30 minutes, 3 times a week for your own health, what on earth do you have time for?

3. "It hurts."

exercise should never hurt -- ever. Instead of giving up on exercise altogether, do low-impact activities. One way to ease stress on your knees and feet, for example, is to work out in water. Also, some exercise machines provide a similar effect. The Bowflex climber has "dual-treadles" that come up to meet your feet, which some say feels like walking in water.

It is important to always consult with a health care professional before starting any exercise routine, to ensure the activities you choose are appropriate. After all, the point is to get healthier, not injure yourself.

4. "Working out is boring."

No one said you had to do the same exercise over and over, until you're bored. Change it up a bit. Vary your routine to include your exercise machine three times a week, a brisk walk or jog twice a week, and swimming or yoga another once or twice a week. Your exercise equipment can also keep you from getting bored by enabling numerous different exercises (see #2).

5. "I'm too old to get in shape."

This might be the conclusion you draw if your exercise equipment doesn't offer you adjustable settings, to match the intensity to your current fitness level. That can lead to feelings of discouragement and keep you from wanting to continue. The Bowflex Treadclimber has adjustable settings and speeds, to customize your workout. After about six weeks, you'll probably feel younger, not older!

6. "It's not possible to look that good {as in before/after pictures or the bodies featured in commercials}."

No one can guarantee how you will look, at a higher level of fitness. But if you're getting healthier and have a good chance of looking a lot better, isn't it worth doing it anyway? Optimum health is the goal, better looks are a pleasant side effect. Think of it that way, and you won't feel so down when a six-pack doesn't appear in a week.

7. "But I don't need to lose any weight."

weight loss is only one element to getting in better shape. There's also: getting stronger, increasing energy and stamina, better posture, staving off "old age", and reducing your risk of certain illnesses. Also, your weight may be redistributed in a more attractive way. Then there's the best reason to work out: fun! If you enjoy your workout, you'll do it more often, and will get more and more fit.

Excuses can be a way of postponing things you know you need to do. So eliminate them, one at a time!

Kathy Hildebrand is a professional writer who is easily bored with her "day job" assignments. So, she researches anything and everything of interest and starts writing. Writing about an extremely wide variety of subjects keeps her skills sharp, and gives her food for thought on future paid writing assignments.

More of her research and articles can be found at www.lasertargeted.com/bowflex and other sites around the internet.