There are a zillion reasons people give not to exercise, but are they reasons or excuses? “Gym memberships are expensive”, “I’m too embarrassed about my weight”, and the one I assume we’ve all used at one time or another, “I don’t have time.” However, for every excuse not to exercise (and believe me I have used them all), there are dozens of “health benefits” or reasons why we should give up the excuses and “Just Do It”. Not only will exercise help you feel and look better in general, but exercise combined with following a low-glycemic diet is the very best way to control your PCOS symptoms and manage your weight. For those of you who are still skeptical, consider the arguments and learn how to overcome the barriers that get in the way of exercising.

Can’t afford to join a gym: While carving out structured time at a fitness facility works for some people, it doesn’t for others. You definitely don’t need to go to a gym to exercise. Did you know that mowing the lawn, walking your dog, dancing, or even doing housework counts? You can also burn lots of calories doing other activities such as gardening, golfing, walking, etc. The idea is to pick something that you like to do and have fun.

No money: You don’t need to buy a treadmill or any other fancy fitness equipment for that matter. You could  buy something inexpensive such as jump rope at your local “Dollar Store”, but many types of physical activities don’t cost any money at all.

You’re embarrassed: Try to understand that you’re not alone. Others, like you, probably feel self-conscious about the way they look, too. Try to get over this. Ask a friend to go with you to a class until you feel more comfortable, or start out at home with a work out video until you’re ready to go to a formal class.

No time: If you really think about it, we can all make time in our day to exercise. Even if you truly can’t find a good chunk of time, say 30-60 minutes, make it a point to do something for 15-20 minutes such as walking during your lunch break or dancing while watching your favorite music video.

If you have PCOS it makes good sense to let go of all of the excuses not to exercise and embrace all the positive reasons to exercise. Studies have shown that losing just 5% of your body weight can help lower insulin levels, which can ultimately regulate your periods and improve acne and excess hair. The benefits are real; it’s just up to you to start moving.

Note: If you’re not used to exercising, start out slowly and gradually increase the amount of time you exercise. Talk to your health care provider to find out if you should avoid doing any particular physical activities.

-Nurse Thomas