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The Biggest Challenges to Regular Exercise & a Healthy Diet

You know that exercise and a healthy diet are vital steps for protecting your health and controlling your weight. That doesn't mean it's always easy to make the right choices. Most people report common hurdles that get in the way of regular exercise and a healthy meal plan. Understanding what these challenges are and having a plan for getting around them can help you get fit and stay healthy for many years to come.

  1. Cost

    • If buying a gym membership is beyond your means or you get sticker shock every time you go to the grocery store, it can seem like being healthy costs way more than your checkbook can handle. MayoClinic.com recommends working out at home. Use your body weight to do strength-training exercises, such as pushups, situps, planks and triceps dips. Fit in some cardio by jogging in place while you watch television, taking a walk around the neighborhood or going for a swim at a friend's house. Many recreation centers offer low-cost exercise classes as well. When it comes to your grocery bill, the U.S. Department of Agriculture suggests building meals around rice or noodles and cooking in batches so you can create more than one meal at a time. Buying in-season produce and watching for meat markdowns are other money-saving tips.

    Time

    • If your busy schedule leaves little time to exercise and often results in take-out when hunger strikes, it might seem impossible to make healthy lifestyle choices. On weekends or free evenings, prepare a large batch of your favorite soup or casserole and heat up a serving at lunch or dinner time each day. Carry single-serving snacks with you so you have a healthy option if you get hungry while you're on the run. Break your workout routine into smaller chunks, suggests MayoClinic.com. Walk for 10 minutes, three times a day instead of trying to find 30 minutes at a time. Or, try getting up a bit earlier and exercise before you start your day.

    Personal Preferences

    • If you find exercise boring or you don't like the taste of healthy foods, it can be a challenge to make the right choices for your health. Find an activity you enjoy, which increases the odds you'll stick with your exercise program, according to MayoClinic.com. For example, gardening, dancing and rock climbing all count as exercise, but many people consider them hobbies rather than opportunities for physical fitness. If healthy eating gets you down, try using herbs and spices to add flavor and depth to your meals. Take a cooking class to learn techniques and recipes for healthy eating, which can open up new world of tasty and healthy meal options.

    Fatigue

    • Sometimes a busy day at work leaves you wanting a burger and fries on the couch in front of your favorite sitcom. Giving in now and then isn't going to wreck your healthy goals, but making it a regular habit can. If the end of the day often means skipping your workout, make time to exercise in the morning or during your lunch break. If preparing a healthy meal is too much work when you're tired, try prepping a meal before work or freezing leftovers on the weekend that you can warm up and eat without much effort.

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