The top excuses Americans claim prevent them from achieving their fitness goals

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One in three Americans would give up sex for a year to instantly reach their fitness goals, according to new research.

That's not all they'd be willing to do — a survey of 2,000 Americans found a quarter of respondents are so desperate to reach their fitness goals that they would even be willing to spend a week in jail to achieve them in the blink of an eye.

The study examined respondents' attitudes on fitness, well-being and what motivates them, revealing that 68% feel so overwhelmed by maintaining a fitness routine that they would rather avoid starting one altogether.

Six in 10 also reported they just don’t know enough about health and fitness to start their own routine.

Conducted by OnePoll on behalf of AI fitness and lifestyle coaching app Freeletics, the survey also found that 67% don’t know which healthy habits they should create and maintain in their lives.

To make things easier – three in four respondents said a personal trainer would help them reach their fitness goals more efficiently.

Sixty-nine percent of those polled say the only thing that would get them in shape is the help of a personal trainer, but the price tag seems to be dissuading.

Seventy-six percent of those surveyed said they wished getting a personal trainer was more affordable.

It turns out social media is actually playing a large role in motivating Americans to exercise; just over three-quarters of respondents reported following fitness influencers to keep them going.

Another 85% of respondents said they motivate themselves by comparing their progress through photos and measurements — and even selfies.

Despite these motivators, respondents admitted to some common reasons to justify not exercising and maintaining healthy habits.

Topping the list of excuses was the classic “I don’t have enough time” (35%).

Twenty-six percent of respondents also reported that they worry they may be past the point of no return – saying they’re just too unfit already.

‘‘It’s important to find an exercise routine that works for you and your schedule, but it’s equally as important to train your mind too. If you reduce stress and sleep better, you’ll also perform better.

"Complementary training of both body and mind positively impacts all-round performance and how quickly and effectively you reach your goals,” explained Dr. Peter Just, Team Lead Coach Experience at Freeletics. ‘‘The stronger your skills and mindset, the stronger and more successful you can become — both physically and mentally.‘‘

Perhaps connected with the 35% of respondents who don’t have enough time, a quarter of those surveyed also said they’re too stressed to exercise and maintain healthy habits.

This checks out too, as respondents reporting feel stressed an average of three days a week. Eleven percent of respondents even said they felt stressed five to six days a week.

Americans are taking action to combat this, however, with respondents reporting they meditate an average of 4.6 hours a week and 65% reported practicing mindfulness and meditation is a top priority for them.

And when it comes to mindfulness practices, over half of those surveyed said they look to this to manage stress.

However, one of the top barriers to practicing mindfulness was a busy and distracted mind (47%).

“Combining body and mind training has always been a part of the Freeletics vision to help people become the greatest version of themselves,” said Freeletics CEO Daniel Sobhani. “Our Mindset Coaching will teach people the fundamentals and help them build a lifelong foundation for health and personal development.

"By combining this with our adaptive, personalized workout plans, people will be more likely than ever to truly succeed on their health and fitness journey. We believe training your body and mind is one of the greatest investments you can make, so now we are making it as easy as possible — for anyone.”

TOP 5 EXCUSES TO NOT EXERCISE AND MAINTAIN HEALTHY HABITS
I don’t have time                             35%
I don’t see results                           28%
I feel I’m already too unfit               26%
I don’t have the motivation             26%
The gym is too far away                 25%

TOP THINGS PEOPLE WOULD DO TO INSTANTLY COMPLETE THEIR FITNESS GOALS
Only eat plain oatmeal for every meal, for one full year                 33%
Shave my head                                                                               30%
Spend one month alone, in the woods without electricity               29%
Give up sex for one year                                                                 29%
Give up all electronic devices for one full month                             26%
Spend a week in jail                                                                        25%
Stand in line at the DMV for a full day                                             24%
Lose your voice for one year                                                           21%
Don’t take a shower or bathe for two weeks                                   21%

TOP 5 THINGS PEOPLE EXPECT TO ACHIEVE FROM PRACTICING MINDFULNESS
1. Managing stress                                                          52%
2. Sleeping better                                                            46%
3. Feeling balance in work and life                                  40%
4. Listening to my emotions better                                   39%
5. Being more in-tune with my body and health              37%