Don’t Have Time for Physical Activity?

Federation des kinesiologues du Quebec December 22, 2020 Health, sports

Numerous studies that have examined the motivations and obstacles to participating in regular physical activity point to a lack of time as the main reason people report for their difficulty in adopting a more active lifestyle. Although the perceptions of these individuals are quite real, a more in-depth analysis shows that inactive people are more likely experiencing personal obstacles to the practice of physical activity such as a lack of motivation, energy, skills or interest in exercise.

Thus, it is difficult to say whether the lack of time is the result of the current situation in today’s society or whether it is more of a mismanagement of time, their interests or priorities. This being said, working to improve your own personal obstacles rather than focusing on solving the lack of time would be a more effective strategy to help you get more active and foster long-term change. If you are doing less than 150 minutes of physical activity per week, it would be a good idea to think about ways to limit the effects of a sedentary lifestyle by gradually integrating more physical activity into your daily life.

Take the idea that you don’t have enough time out of your mind by trying one of the following 6 courses of action:

1. Write down your thoughts on the benefits of being more active and identify the disadvantages of being inactive.
2. Build up your self-confidence in your physical abilities by starting with just one session for fun.
3. Sign up for a family activity to help make it easier to integrate physical activity into your family’s schedule.
4. Read about the benefits of physical activity and its positive impact on your energy level.
5. Watch less TV by cutting your TV time by a third. Set aside this 1/3 for physical activity instead.
6. Get the advice, support and expertise of a licensed kinesiologist to help get you started on the right foot.

References

• Santé Canada. Apports Nutritionnels de Référence. November 2010
• Gao et coll. (2019) Exercise therapy in patients with constipation: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Scand J Gastroenterol; 54(2):169-77.

Author

Federation des kinesiologues du Quebec

Kinesiology is defined as the use of muscle testing to identify imbalances in the body's structural energy. Kinesiologists undertake years of training to be able to help their clients maintain and regain physical fitness. Headed by the FKQ, kinesiologists write about rehabilitation, prevention and performance.