Quit Making Excuses!

I talk to people every day who make excuses about one thing or another..... I used to be one of those people.  For me, I'd make excuses about why I couldn't lose weight or why I couldn't work out -- I work all the time - there's no time to work out.  Or I don't have time to cook for myself, that's why I eat out.... Or I'll start tomorrow -- but tomorrow never comes.

“If it is important to you, you will find a way. If not, you’ll find an excuse.”

Now I get irritated by these people.  What are you waiting for?  And why does tomorrow never come?  I think the only thing that can really be true about these situations is whatever you're making excuses for really isn't that important to you.  If it was truly important, you'd make it happen.

Don't say you don't have the money to join a gym -- You have money to go out to the bar a couple nights a week. You have money to eat out every day.  You have money to buy all those video games - or that sports package on cable TV.   Don't buy that Coach purse this month.

Don't say you don't have time to go to the gym.  There are 24 usable hours in a day.  You should sleep for 8 of them - and you work for 8 of them - so even if you have an hour commute, that still leaves 6 usable hours.  You have time to sit on your duff and watch TV or play video games for 6 hours a day - why can't you go to the gym for an hour? 

Too tired to work out?   Do you know that working out increases your energy levels & helps you sleep better at night?

“Pain is temporary, pride is forever” – Unknown

I heard somewhere that something like 95% of people that set out to lose weight and/or get into shape will fail. I think this is partly because people don't have enough knowledge to be successful in their journeys - but it is partly because we are too obsessed with immediate gratification.  I worked out really hard the past two days, but when I jump on the scale I show no weight loss so I give up.  Really?  I ate really well this whole past week but I'm not losing any weight?  Really? 

“Fall down seven times, get up eight” -Chinese proverb

For those of us who have a lot of weight to lose, or who have battled with weight our whole lives, this has to be a lifestyle change.  It is not a diet.  A diet is temporary. 

There will be a lot of sweat shed on your journey - maybe some blood & tears too!   But to achieve your goals, you MUST stick with it.  This is a lifetime committment.  It will not be easy - but who said it was going to be?  One of my trainers likes to say something along the lines of 'If it's easy, it's not worth doing'.  I agree.

When I started (January 2011), I could only walk or bike for 30 minutes, and I swore I was going to die.  But I didn't, and I kept going back each day -- I built myself up.  In March, I started a 6month kickboxing program - team training - me and another lady, and a trainer - one hour a day twice a week - Plus I kept working out on my own.  In April I added a second trainer for an additional two days a week - and I kept working out on my own in addition to my 4 days a week of personal training!  This was all very pricey & time consuming (and quite painful at times) - but it was important to me and it was worth the money and the time I've devoted to it.  I am amazed (still) at my progress.  I have lost 102lbs in 13 months.   My energy levels are through the roof - thanks to my diet & exercise.  And the gym is one of my favorite places to be!

Your mind is what is telling you that you can't do these things.  It is NOT your body.  Your mind typically gives up long before your body actually will.  Change your way of thinking.  You can do anything you put your mind to - I truly believe this.

“There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path. Don’t allow yourself to become one of them.” – Ralph Marston, Author and Publisher of The Daily Motivator

Stop making excuses.  Get off your butt!