1. You might look stupid

This goes on top of most beginners’ list of worst nightmares. This is a time when enthusiasm levels run high. You are pumped up to be the Brad Pitt in your local Fight Club.

In most cases, this is where things go wrong. You end up doing something stupid. Worse still, you end up doing something stupid in front of very fine specimens of female Homo-Sapiens. Hurting yourselves in the process is just an associated cost, given the way you would feel at that point in time.

Alternative:

Wear appropriate clothing, try not to push yourselves too hard to impress others, know your limits and most importantly, don’t let crazy friends, who want to make a funny video out of you, hang out anywhere near your work-out area.

2. You have a nagging/irritating lover

If your freedom as a human being is being curtailed by the stifling presence of a girl whom you still love dearly, then not exercising is a way to go. Mind you, it might not work at first. For all you know, the nagging might increase. But your pot belly will prevail. If you stay out of shape for a long enough time period, (s)he might actually decide to leave you for a healthier person.

Alternative:

A good conversation seems to work most of the time. You try telling her the way you feel. No, I am not talking about talking about your award-winning rib-tickling ‘throw-up’ act. Think more in the lines of ‘How much I love you..” and “There are some things you should know…” and “I need some ‘alone’ time in our relationship as well”. But be careful with the ‘alone’ thing… It should not sound like you are breaking up… Because if you do and you were not the stud you used to be, you will have to hit the gym again, get back in shape and then, join the pack of hungry wolves on the look-out for vulnerable women who are intelligent and pretty (not always in that particular order…)

If nothing works, then let the ad below be your hope and light.

3. The dreaded feel-good syndrome

Some people are just not happy if they actually are happy. If you really think feeling good about yourselves is not the way to go, then not exercising might do you a ton of good. Apart from low self-esteem that might creep in along the way, the health risks posed is sure to drain away any little joy that has been driving you nuts.

If the lyrics of this James Brown song drives you over the edge, then, my friend, do not even think of getting a pair of joggers.

Alternative:

Therapy.

4. You cannot compromise on sleeping time

Are you one of those countless others who do not get enough sleep? A new study by the Center for Disease Control (CDC) finds that 70% of all adults in America aren’t getting enough sleep. This tendency is not restricted to the US of A.

How, then, will you be able to find time to exercise? Is it not enough that you spend most of your waking time at office trying to get tasks done and the rest of it doing household chores?

Alternative:

Integrate exercise into your daily life. Take stairs instead of the escalators at malls. Walk your dog. If you don’t have a dog, walk your neighbor’s dog. (It has the added benefit of getting into their good books.)

If you can think of more such ideas, do comment them on this blog.

5. An excuse to have more sex

Now, this is not such a bad thing.

According to http://www.healthcentral.com

Most people enjoy sex for its own sake, but a recent study suggests that men who have sex at least three times a week cut their risk of a heart attack in half.

Researchers started out studying the benefits of vigorous exercise, looking at an activity lasting 20 minutes or longer and making the exerciser sweaty or out of breath. Most of the men they questioned thought that sex fit this description just as well as soccer.

There is some bad news though. Promiscuity isn’t likely to have such health benefits. Japanese scientists recently announced that people engaging in adulterous relations were more susceptible to fatal strokes.

No videos here… Sorry, folks!!!  

Work-around:

None. You should be doing this. Go find the love of your life, if you have not already. And in case you need ammo in your “Sex is good for health” arsenal, then head on  here