Once you make it a habit, it’s easy to be active. But most of us face some barriers at first. They may be related to a past bad experience, concern about our level of ability, or any number of other issues in our daily lives.

Here’s a list of some of the most common barriers and some strategies to help you overcome them.

Barriers to being physically active	Strategies
Do not like to exercise and sweat	Choose a low impact and moderate intensity activity you ENJOY. Make it convenient to be active. Many activities are accessible right from your front door — gardening, walking, shopping, etc. Take every opportunity to be active: walk for short errands; walk on your lunch hour; take the stairs more often.
Lack of energy	Being active helps you feel good, and more energetic, for what your day has in store. Remember — you don't have to work up a sweat to get the benefits of regular physical activity. If you're a morning person, fit in your activity before the demands of the day begin. At the end of a busy day, activity can be a great way to unwind and re-energize.
Not enough time in the day	Try to fit physical activity in throughout your day at home, at work, at play and along the way. See the tip sheet Fitting Activity into Your Day at Home .
Not sure where to go	Check with your local community listings for parks, clubs, rinks, pools, fitness centres and other leisure facilities. Ask for a consultation with the program coordinator if you're not sure what's right for you.
Don’t want to do exercise alone	Encourage a friend or family member to join you or join a scheduled class or club for support and friendship.

Links:

Canada's Physical Activity Guide to Healthy Active Living (PDF)