Why do most people wait to make the changes they already know they need to make? This is a great question. We’ve had the opportunity to meet with hundreds of people over the years and have thankfully been able to help many of them. For those we haven’t been able to help, I believe there are three main reasons people believe should keep them from taking control of their wellness:
- Schedule: Finding time is a big reason we get when it comes to why people can’t eat better or workout, or even be active (walking, hiking, biking etc). Most of us lead very busy lives where time is extremely tight. We barely have time to spend with our friends and families while keeping up with our finances, homes, let alone add anything else that is vying for our time.
- Finances: Budgeting isn’t easy. With continuously increasing taxes, cost of living, vehicle prices, food, families to support, its hard to find a way to pay for something else.
- Motivation: Many people we talk to tell us the reason they are out of shape, have gained 30 lbs, or their doctor is worried about their heart health is because they have no motivation. As we learn to cram more into each day, by the time we’re home from work, it’s hard not to want to just sit on the couch and relax via netflix, facebook, or a good book (the best option, IMHO :)
Do these reasons sound familiar? For everyone we’ve talked with over the years, these three reasons are given by almost all of them.
Here’s the truth:
They aren’t reasons. They’re excuses.
I know this sounds harsh, but I say this in love. After 20+ years helping and watching others help people learn how to make a positive difference in their lives, I can tell you honestly, none of the reasons above are valid. They truly are excuses.
Reality is difficult to confront, but I am happy to bring it in front of you if it will help you live a longer, healthier life with your friends, family, and those you care about.
I will help you walk through how you can take each of the most common excuses give to yourself and others, and beat them:
- Schedule: Our time is incredibly valuable. Working out and eating well can take time and that time is precious. However, if you don’t make the time now, you will be forced to give the time later. There are numerous studies (some I’ve shared in previous blogs) showing the massive positive effect nutrition and exercise has on life expectancy and quality of life. For brevity, I’ll let you read them in our other blogs or research yourself. Even if you start with 20 minutes a day, 3 times a week, you can make a big difference in your health. Everyone has 20 minutes. The average american spends 35 minutes a day on Facebook. 35 minutes every single day. My challenge to you is to start with 20 minutes per day, and work your way up from there. Make it a habit. If you’re too tired after work, get up 20 minutes early and do it before you take a shower in the morning. Go walk outside. You can do it.
- Finances: Money is a big one. We talk with many people that can’t afford to pay for a gym, or time with a Personal Trainer etc. Finances are real, you make what you make, and yes, you can make more, but that takes more time and effort, so assuming you are doing your best, how do you make money appear, to pay for your gym? You do it for free. www.CrossFit.com post free workouts every single day. Your sidewalk doesn’t charge you to run on it. Your living room doesn’t have a membership fee. God blessed you with a body that can get a great workout with no weights but it’s own. Finances is not an excuse. Yes, you can budget and upgrade to get help with movements and motivation, and we encourage this, but you don’t need that to start. Start now, start for free in your own living room.
- Motivation: How do you become motivated when you don’t have any? Confront reality. If you don’t take care of yourself, you could likely die early. Harsh, yes, it is, but it’s true. Statistically, not eating well and not working out raises your risks for life threatening illnesses and diseases drastically. Yes, some people live well into their 90s-100s and drink, smoke, eat terribly, etc. They are not the norm. Statistics are great to help see what a positive effect you can make on your life and enable yourself to spend more time with family and to help others far better by working out and eating right. This is a beautiful motivator in and of itself. If you need more help, find a friend who can keep you accountable - the best is if you can workout together. A team of 3 is even better! Set a goal, and call each other and get it done. Join a gym to add even more motivation. Find a Coach who understands you and care about you (not just your money, but really cares about helping you). There’s a big correlation to success in accountability. Find group classes, getting to know 10-12 people very well by sweating and working hard together will make you want to keep coming back again and again. You can find motivation, all you need to do is look for it. Take one of the steps above and enjoy the fire of being motivated and seeing the change you started!
It’s tough to deal with the truth of excuses, but you can handle it. And, you can make a difference. You aren’t stuck, you don’t have to stay unhealthy. Do something about it.
Posted By Steve Grant
Written By Ben Tyler, 925 Head Coach
