ABSTRACT
In this chapter, the author explains the importance of adaptation to the exercise context. While most people desire to exercise for health or fitness, exercising regularly is not easy to achieve. Too many commitments interfere with exercising, creating excuses that easily justify why one should not exercise on any given day. Others fall victim to their own fears about the exercise context. The author explains how fears are related to the psychological complexes the exerciser has and how these complexes act to undermine the best exercise plans. That said, the author argues that there is always a way to exercise, from climbing stairs instead of taking the elevator at work, to walking instead of taking public transportation to one’s destination. He argues that with guidance, exercisers can overcome impediments to their exercise plans, whether they are psychological or environmental, even when the barriers are formidable. As such, the author provides examples of how to succeed in maintaining an exercise program across the lifespan, what impediments one may face in the process, and how to overcome roadblocks in one’s pursuit of one’s fitness aims.
