Now you have to know I am not the picture perfect model fitness guru by any stretch of the imagination. You see just a few years back; I was pushing 180 lbs., at 5’5. I am going to stop here for some “quantifying” clarity…I was pushing 180 lbs. of a lot of fat. The only muscle I had was what I needed to go through my normal activities of daily living, and it was tucked far beneath the junk I had been consuming for years. And for all intents and purposes, my idea of exercise was getting up off the couch to go to the refrigerator. It was not until I saw a picture of myself in a bathing suit that I knew something had to change…no more EXCUSES!!
With that said, let’s cover 6 of the most common excuses I’ve heard and how to go about eliminating them from our thinking and vocabulary.
Excuse #1: I can’t do it!
Goal #1: My mom always said, “CAN’T never could do anything until TRY came along”. So I challenge you to just move, start with a 15-minute walk one time a day, and build up to a 30-minute walk. Hint: listening to music or a podcast helps pass the time.
Excuse #2: I hate diets! I always break them!
Goal #2: Diets do not have to be something you dread. Think about it as though you are changing the way you eat. Actually, I like how Haylie Pomroy, the author of The Metabolism Diet, uses the word DIET…”Did I Eat Today”…clever, huh?
Excuse #3: I don’t have time to cook, it is easier to go out or eat on the go!
Goal #3: Plan your menu for every week including breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks. Use a crock pot…it cooks while you sleep!
Excuse #4: I can’t cook!
Goal #4: (See Goal #1) YOU CAN COOK! There are plenty of recipes out there that are easy and super healthy, and YUMMY! You do not have to be a Michelin Star Chef to make a healthy salad with lots of fresh veggies and grilled chicken on top. So grab a recipe and give it a try! Here is a start.
Excuse #5: I don’t know what to buy!
Goal #5: Stay away from processed food…good rule of thumb is to shop around the outer perimeter of the grocery store; avoid the isles (except for things like quinoa and beans). So load up on fresh veggies and fruits, and lean proteins. HINT: don’t to the grocery store hungry.
Excuse #6: I don’t have time!
Goal #6: Honestly, this is B.S.! This is one of the most used excuses I hear, and to be honest, I use it myself. But, we have to ask ourselves…How much time do I spend [waste] looking at Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, or doing SnapChat? How much time do I watch TV? How much time do I waste “watching and waiting” on the next email to come in my email so I can be ready to respond immediately? How much time do I spend reading? How much time do I sit daydreaming about having a toner, sexier figure? We all have time; the key is how we choose to spend it.
I could go on and on but you get the point…Excuses only stop forward momentum.
Until you are ready to stop making excuses, the bad news is you will remain where you are.
We are given one body so why not respect it, love it, nurture it, and take care of it? There is nothing stopping you. Nothing except “excuses”.
Let today be your day to lay down your arsenal of excuses and surrender to the exciting path of moving forward.
– This post was written by Stacey Pierce.
