OK, this article is going to make some people mad.

Tell you what; if you're a single parent who is broke, works two jobs to make ends meet, and looks after some special needs kids then I'll give you a pass. This article does not apply to you.

If, however, you have one job and can find time to watch even a little TV, mindlessly surf the Internet, spend extra time that you really don't need to at a life-sucking job, or refuse to look for those little holes in your schedule that you know you could find if you really tried, then what's your excuse?

Seriously, I want to hear it. I could use a good laugh.

When I got in shape 17 years ago I was doing a master's degree and my wife was in her first year of residency for family medicine. If you've ever watched a medical drama on TV then you know that being a resident is some of the most punishing work on the planet. Looking after my wife during this time was like having my own special needs child, yet I still managed to get fit through the slow and steady approach.

I hope my wife doesn't read this.

Enough about me and my wife. Let's talk about you and your lame excuses.

Six lame excuses not to exercise after the jump.

1. I'm too tired
If your job and your kids and your whatever else you do is running you down, then getting out and exercising is going to suck even more energy out of you. BUT, realize that expending that extra energy now pays off later. If you're out of shape, then you get tired easily. If you're in shape, you have more energy to do more things, like more exercise.

If you start off with just ten minutes a week of exercise, and then add a mere five minutes to this every week, by the time a year passes you will be exercising 3.5 hours each week, and have a lot more energy for all aspects of life.

2. I'm injured/disabled
You're getting negative sympathy from me on this. I've done a lot of volunteer work with disabled people in fitness programs, and I've worked with wheelchair-bound people with MS who can barely move their arms and who exercise what they've got as hard as they can.

In the vast majority of cases of injured people, exercise is not the thing to avoid, but the cure. It may require some specific instruction, like in the case of my low back, but you won't improve sitting on the couch.

If you don't conquer your injuries, you allow them to conquer you.

3. I can't afford it
You don't have to buy an expensive bicycle, attend pricey fitness classes, or get a high-end gym membership to get in shape. One thing there is plenty of out there is used exercise equipment that is gathering dust in someone's basement. Look online or even place a free ad saying you'll come and trade some beer for exercise equipment. That will likely get responses. Instead of going to expensive classes, buy some cheap exercise videos or borrow them from the library and do it at home. If you can't even afford this stuff then Google "bodyweight exercises" and perhaps fill up some milk jugs with water and lift those around. Use your imagination and move your ass.

On the financial management side, do you smoke, drink, chug lattes, dine out or have cable? Punting any or all of these habits on hold will make you healthier and provide extra cash to dedicate towards a fitness program. Also, remember that exercise is supposed to be fun, so whatever meager entertainment budget you have should be dedicated towards it. Find an exercise you like doing and make sweating your new entertainment.

And take good care of the exercise equipment you do have. Complain about my $15 running socks if you must, but know that if one goes missing I kick the dryer's ass until it spits it out.

4. I don't have time
You've got the same 24 hours in each day that everyone else does. What you decide to do with those hours are up to you. There is an old adage that goes: "If everything is a priority, then nothing is."

To fit in fitness, it must become a priority to you. It must become something you want to do. If you learn to love it, you will find the time.

5. But I don't love it, I hate it
Guess what? Most people who went from couch potatoes to active people hated it at first too. You've got to pick some type of activity that doesn't make you want to stick your head in the oven. Find an exercise that, for you, doesn't completely suck and get good at it. Build up your willpower at that activity and then you'll have the motivation to try other, more challenging activities.

6. I can't lose weight because my genes suck
Listen, I'm not expecting you to turn yourself into a fitness model here. We're all distributed along the bell curve and not everyone gets to be an Olympian when they grow up. This is about achieving your genetic potential through planning, patience and persistence. You won't find out what you're capable of sitting on the couch.

There are other excuses, but most of them are equally lame.

I can't wait for the hate mail.

James S. Fell is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist and a middle-aged family man with a desk job and not much free time, yet he's able to keep in shape because he loves exercise and doesn't mind eating healthy. He is the author of Body for Wife: The Family Guy's Guide to Getting in Shape. His column for That's Fit.ca focuses on weightlifting, running and exercise motivation.