OVERCOMING THE BARRIERS TO EXERCISE
Many people say they want to lose weight and/or get fitter but when it comes to putting the idea into practice they come up with one reason after another why they just can't do it.
From a lack of time or money to not knowing where to start, people come up with all sorts of excuses why they can't take on an exercise programme.
Because we want people to achieve their health and fitness goals, we've put together a nifty little product that overcomes all of the excuses that people regularly cite.
In fact, Fitbug is so flexible that it'll have you leaping over the usual hurdles to exercise quicker than you can say ’Movement Motivation'.
You say: I don't like exercise...
Fitbug say: There is some sort of physical activity out there for everyone...
Well, what a sweeping generalisation that is! You might not like exercise classes or going to the gym or you might have a childhood phobia of team sports but there is some sort of physical activity out there for everyone.
Walking is a great starting point because it's something that anyone can do in their own time, at their own pace, without the need for any specialist equipment.
If you decide walking is not for you, there are plenty of other activities you can try your hand at, including swimming, cycling, skiing and ice skating which can also be monitored by the Fitbug tracking system*.
You say: Exercise bores me...
Fitbug say: Everyday activity is the solution...
If you find one type of exercise boring try another one and another one until you find something that does suit you.
If you're one of the many people who feels restricted by planned exercise, you may find that spontaneous everyday activity is just the solution for you.
Alternatively, convince a friend or partner to join you so that you never have to exercise alone and the chances are you'll find that it actually becomes a fun social occasion rather than a chore.
You say: I'm too fat for exercise...
Fitbug say: You can never be too fat or too old for exercise...
Of course, exercise is easier if you are slim and healthy but if you think that you are too fat for exercise you are someone who would most benefit from it.
Start with something low impact - walking is ideal - and take it at your own pace. If you increase your activity levels and do not make any changes to your diet you will lose weight. Combining increased activity with a healthy diet will help you to lose fat and reduce your risk of a variety of health conditions.
Click here to find out about the dangers of being overweight and sedentary lifestyles.
You say: It's too expensive...
Fitbug say: What price do you put on good health?
You don't have to splash out £50 a month on a gym membership to get fit, nor do you have to spend £5 a week to stand on a set of scales and be weighed.
With Fitbug and PruHealth or PruProtect you could buy a Bug, at subsidised rates, to monitor every step that you take. Fitbug is not only the Bug itself, but your online health and well-being coach, including calorie-calculated healthy eating plans and all the advice and feedback you need to achieve your goals. You will receive all this for a one-off fee of just £15 for PruHealth/PruProtect members.
You say: I don't have time...
Fitbug say: Do what you can when you can...
According to studies by Harvard University, you gain about two hours of life expectancy for each hour of regular activity so surely you can't afford not to make time for exercise.
The great thing about Fitbug is that it will encourage you to make lifestyle changes and increase the everyday activity in your life, which means that you don't have to make time for exercise - you just do what you can when you can.
As your activity levels increase your concentration and quality of sleep improve and you'll have more energy to get you through the day so it will actually increase your hours of productivity.
You say: I have a family to look after...
Fitbug say: Get the whole family involved in your healthy way of life...
As a parent you set the patterns that your children will adopt for their life - so if you are sedentary and overweight then the chances are that they will be too.
Because Fitbug encourages everyday activity, such as walking, swimming and cycling*, there is nothing to stop your children joining you in your healthy way of life.
By making exercise a part of their life too you will be helping them to adopt healthy habits that will stay with them for life and increase their health, well being and self esteem.
You say: I don't know where to start...
Fitbug say: Go with what you know...
As a rule, people are creatures of habits who don't like to step out of their comfort zone. Therefore the most sensible way to go about starting a new activity regime is to go with what you know - in this case getting from A to B.
Fitbug members are encouraged to spend a whole lot more time on their feet, but when you feel ready to push yourself, we'll also encourage you to add other activities to your repertoire, like swimming, cycling or skating*.
You say: The facilities are too far away...
Fitbug say: Do something that doesn't need facilities or equipment...
With Fitbug, there's no need to travel to local facilities or anywhere else for that matter. Instead you'll just spend more time on your feet whenever you can.
Whether that means walking your children to school, getting off the bus one stop earlier or ditching the lift in favour of the stairs is entirely up to you - as long as you meet the daily targets set for you.
You say: I have a medical condition...
Fitbug say: We can't think of any conditions that wouldn't benefit from a dose of activity and a healthy balanced diet.
People with a medical condition should always seek professional advice before undertaking any exercise programme. However, because Fitbug recommends moderate intensity activity it is suitable for most conditions, including hypertension, type 2 Diabetes and stroke. For more information about activity and health conditions click here.
* Please note you can only earn vitality points for activity recorded by the Bug and not for additional activities that you enter on the tracker.