Struggling to reach the gym can reflect self-imposed barriers that block healthy activity even when benefits are understood. A sports medicine physician and fitness motivation author frames these barriers as a “Big List” of reasons people give themselves, shaped by biases and engrained behavior patterns. Examples include believing others are judging them or assuming they cannot perform exercises properly. Rewiring involves examining these preconceived notions and recognizing they may not be true. A survey indicates many Americans struggle to stick to fitness goals, with motivation, access, and lack of time as major deterrents, alongside everyday distractions and environmental factors.
"There are a lot of defenses built into why we don't do it. In the book, I call it "The Big List." It's a whole bunch of reasons we tell ourselves, and the outcome is we can end up working against our best interests. It could be our own biases or previous behavior patterns that have become engrained. Ideas like "Everyone in this class is judging me" or "I can't do the exercises properly.""
"According to a 2025 survey conducted by YouGov for Uscreen, 30% of Americans struggle to stick to their fitness goals, with motivation, access and lack of time listed as the main deterrents. You know how it goes: work's a nightmare, it's too hot or cold outside, there's a new series on Netflix you want to watch."
"There are unlimited excuses not to go to the gym. As such, rewiring your brain takes some serious commitment. We recently spoke with Metzl about the ways our brain gets in the way of healthy habits, strategies that have worked for his clients, and his three essential components to getting and staying motivated for the long haul."
Read at InsideHook
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