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Summary
On episode 217 of 40+ Fitness, Coach Allan runs through 11 of the most common excuses people give for not getting healthy and fit, and gives you the tools to talk yourself, or a friend, past each one.
His central argument is that most of these objections aren’t really about ability. They’re about mindset, priorities, and not yet having a plan.
He works through genetics, boredom, gym intimidation, spouse support, time, illness, and injury, showing where each excuse breaks down and what to do instead.
Links
- https://40plusfitness.com
Key Takeaways
- “Bad genetics” isn’t a real excuse. Allan argues that living past 40 already proves you have the genetic potential for a full, healthy life. Genetics might stop you from becoming a world champion, but it won’t stop you from reaching your own goals. He says the real limit is in the mind, not the body.
- “I’ve tried everything” usually means you haven’t changed your lifestyle. Programs like Nutrisystem or Jenny Craig can produce temporary results, but the weight tends to come back because the underlying lifestyle never changed. Allan says lasting results only come from fixing the daily habits that caused the problem in the first place, not from a short-term fix.
- Boredom is a programming problem, not an exercise problem. Allan says he’s never found a workout that’s inherently boring, only people who keep choosing boring exercises like sitting on a treadmill. Rotating in new movements, sports, or outdoor activity keeps training interesting, since humans were never meant to repeat the exact same motion every single day.
- Fear of getting “bulky” is unfounded for almost everyone. The people who get visibly bulky from lifting typically have a genetic edge or are using enhancing supplements. Most people who start lifting just get leaner and stronger, and any temporary post-workout muscle puffiness is water aiding repair, not permanent size.
- Gym intimidation is real, but it’s manageable. Allan says most people at the gym aren’t paying attention to you, and a personal trainer, a workout partner, or simply learning basic gym etiquette can take the edge off. He also encourages scouting a gym’s culture ahead of time to find one that fits your comfort level.
- An unsupportive spouse calls for a communication strategy, not surrender. Allan suggests cooking a shared base like a protein, then customizing sides (steamed vegetables with butter or cheese for you, a starch like pasta for the rest of the family) so everyone eats together without conflict. For non-food support, he says it has to be an honest, non-confrontational conversation where you explain why this matters to you and ask directly for their support.
- “I don’t have time” is really a priorities problem. Allan challenges people to track their last 24 to 48 hours and see how much of that time went to TV or Facebook instead of exercise. He recommends scheduling workouts like a fixed appointment, or finding ways to combine the two, like exercising while watching TV.
- Illness and injury call for working around the problem, not stopping entirely. A cold without a fever still allows for a workout, ideally at home so you don’t spread it, and a doctor’s orders should always be followed. An injured ankle doesn’t rule out working the upper body or unaffected muscle groups, and staying active during recovery makes the comeback easier than sitting still for weeks.
“The limit is not your genetic potential. It’s not your body. It’s your mind. And if you get past your mind, your body will go there.”
Coach Allan
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