Why Some Men Struggle to Maintain Their Fitness

Introduction

It’s no secret that many men struggle to stay fit and healthy. In fact, recent studies have found that nearly two-thirds of American men are overweight or obese.

While there are many factors that contribute to this problem, one of the biggest is that men often have a hard time sticking to their fitness goals.

When men can’t stick to their fitness goals, they are more likely to give up altogether and become sedentary, which leads to weight gain and all sorts of other health problems.

There are also plenty of excuses men will make for not exercising. For example, one of the most common reasons is that they simply don’t want to exercise.

With all the things going on in their lives, some men say they are too tired or too busy to go to the gym. They don’t want to put in the effort to exercise.

Let’s look at several reasons why men struggle to maintain to maintain their fitness goals.

Six Reasons Why Some Men Struggle to Maintain Their Fitness

Here are five reasons why some men struggle to maintain their fitness goals…

1. Exercise is not a priority

For starters, many men simply don’t make exercise a priority. It’s not that they don’t want to be fit and healthy, but they have other things that seem more important at the time. Their other obligations can all take up a lot of time, leaving little room for working out.

Even when men do make time for a workout, they might not be as dedicated as they should be. They might skip a few days here and there or not put forth their best effort when they exercise.

This is a big mistake because it takes consistency to see results from working out. When men are inconsistent with their workouts, they’re much less likely to see the desired results.

The more inconsistent you are in your workout schedules, the more likely you will forego it altogether. Unfortunately, this can become a vicious and painful cycle because the less you work out, the harder it is to get back into a routine.

2. Feel intimated by others

Another reason why some men struggle to maintain their fitness goals is that they feel intimated by others. When men see other people working out more intensely or doing more complex exercises, they might feel like they can’t keep up.

This feeling of inadequacy can make men not want to work out at all. They might think, “What’s the point? I’ll never be as good as that guy.”

Men might also be worried other guys might ridicule them. They don’t want to be the one guy in the gym who can’t lift as much weight or run as fast and be made fun of for it.

This is a dangerous mindset because it can lead to a sedentary lifestyle. Rather than feeling inadequate in public, men might stay home to play video games or watch television instead of exercising.

3. Indulge in too many harmful substances

Another reason why men struggle to maintain their fitness goals is because they indulge in too many harmful substances. This includes things like alcohol, cigarette, or illegal drugs.

These substances are bad for your health and can make it harder to stick to your fitness goals. For example, if you’re trying to detox from alcohol, you might find it harder to motivate yourself to go for a run.

If you’re trying to quit smoking, you might find it harder to breathe during a workout, which can make it less enjoyable and harder. It’s also hard to resist the temptation of not wanting to smoke if you have an addiction to it.

Illegal drugs can also have a negative impact on your fitness goals. They can have devastating effects on your body, making many forms of exercise difficult.

4. Poor diet

A poor diet is another reason why men struggle to maintain their fitness goals. If you’re not eating healthy, nutritious foods, it’s going to be harder for you to stay in shape.

You might find yourself snacking on junk food more often or eating larger portions than you should. This can lead to weight gain, which makes it harder to exercise and stay fit.

A poor diet can lead to many other health problems, such as diabetes or heart disease. Having any one of these conditions can make it even harder to maintain a healthy weight and stick to your fitness goals.

Eating lots of junk food is another component of a poor diet. Junk food is loaded with empty calories that can sabotage your weight loss efforts. If you’re trying to eat healthily and lose weight, but you’re constantly indulging in junk food, you’re going to struggle.

5. Too stressed out

Stress is another big reason why men struggle to maintain their fitness goals. When you’re stressed out, it’s hard to focus on anything else. You might find yourself skipping workouts or eating unhealthy foods because you’re so stressed out.

Stress can also have a negative impact on your body, making it harder to lose weight and stay in shape. When you’re stressed out, your body releases a hormone called cortisol.

Cortisol can lead to weight gain, especially around the midsection. It can also make it harder to lose weight because it slows down your metabolism.

If you’re constantly stressed out, it’s going to be very difficult to maintain your fitness goals. You need to find ways to manage your stress so that it doesn’t hurt your health.

6. Give up too easily

One of the main reasons why men struggle to maintain their fitness goals is because they give up too easily. They might not see results right away, so they get discouraged and quit.

Or, they might try a new workout routine or diet and find it too difficult to stick with it. So, they give up and go back to their old ways.

It’s important to remember that change takes time, and you’re not going to see results overnight. If you give up too easily, you’ll never reach your fitness goals.

You need to be patient and persistent if you want to see results. It might take weeks or months, but if you stick with it, you will eventually see the results you’re looking for.

Six Tips to Help Men Stick to Their Fitness Goals

The good news is that there are things men can do to increase their chances of success.

1. Develop a routine

One of the best things men can do is find an activity they enjoy and make it part of their regular routine. It doesn’t have to be something intense like running a marathon, but just something that they can look forward to regularly doing.

This could be going for a walk in the park, playing tennis, or even taking a yoga class. Once they find an activity they enjoy, it will be much easier to stick with it.

2. Focus on yourself

It’s crucial to stay focused on your goals and not get distracted by what others are saying or doing. If you find yourself getting discouraged, remind yourself why you’re doing this and what you hope to achieve.

Men need to remember that everyone has to start somewhere. It doesn’t matter if you’re not as fit as someone else. Instead, you should be happy you’re taking steps to improve your health.

3. Avoid harmful substances or find treatment

If someone is struggling with an addiction, it’s going to be very difficult to maintain their fitness goals. So, it’s important to get off of these harmful substances or seek help from a professional if they’re struggling with substance abuse.

There are many resources available to help people overcome addiction, so there’s no need to struggle alone. Getting treatment can significantly affect someone’s ability to reach their fitness goals.

4. Change up your diet

If someone does not see results, it might be time to change their diet. Men should focus on eating more whole foods and less processed junk.

They should also ensure they’re getting enough protein, which is essential for muscle growth. Additionally, men should make sure they’re staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water.

5. Find healthy ways to relax

It’s important to find healthy ways to relax and manage stress. This could include a massage, yoga, or even just spending time outdoors in nature.

Finding healthy ways to relax will help reduce stress levels and make it easier to stick with their fitness goals.

6. Set realistic goals

Another tip is to set realistic fitness goals. If they’re trying to lose weight, they should focus on losing a few pounds each week. Or, if they’re trying to get in shape, they should focus on being able to do a certain number of reps or sets.

Trying to accomplish too much too soon will only lead to frustration and discouragement. So, it’s important to set small, achievable goals that they can gradually work up to.

Conclusion

Fitness is hard, and staying on track to reach your desired goals can seem impossible, but you can’t give up. These struggles are not easy to overcome, but if you think about your fitness journey as a marathon and not a sprint, you’ll get there eventually.

When you finally reach your goal, the sense of accomplishment will be much sweeter. You will have earned it, and there’s nothing more gratifying than that.

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.