I wanted to be fit and healthy. I promised myself I would lose weight, get into shape, and lead a healthier lifestyle. But then I got busy with work and family obligations… so I didn’t do anything about it. Then by the time I realized how bad things had gotten, it was too late to change my habits—I was stuck in a rut! Now that you’re here, though, let me help you stop reaching for your health goals too!
Start tomorrow.
The best way to never reach your health goals is by waiting until tomorrow.
Tomorrow, you can be a better person. Tomorrow, you’ll have more time and energy. Tomorrow, things will be different somehow–more perfect or easier or just plain better than they are today. And so it goes until the day finally comes when we realize our bodies are no longer capable of living up to our own expectations and we die early from stress-related diseases like heart disease or cancer (or both).
But if tomorrow isn’t right for making a change in your life? Then maybe next week would work better! Or maybe after that big project at work gets done…or after this season of TV has ended…or once I’ve lost 5 pounds…or 10 pounds…or 15 pounds…or 20 pounds…or 25 pounds…
Research your options and do nothing.
“Researching your options is not enough. You need to make a plan, and follow through with it.”
This is the most common mistake I see people make when they’re trying to reach their health goals. They spend months researching what they should eat, how much exercise they should do, and so on–but then they never actually put those ideas into action. Instead of doing something specific and measurable (like cutting out sugar), they just say things like “I’m going to start exercising more” or “I’m going to try eating better.” That’s not enough! If all you’re doing is saying these things without taking action or following through on your promises…then guess what? You’re never going to get anywhere!
Smoke.
Smoking is bad for you. It’s hard to say that with any more clarity or emphasis than that, but it’s worth repeating: smoking is bad for you.
Smoking can lead to lung cancer, heart disease, and a variety of other health issues including bronchitis and emphysema. It also causes wrinkles and yellow teeth–not exactly the stuff of dreams! Smoking is addictive–much like drinking alcohol or eating too much sugar can be addictive–and quitting requires willpower (or at least some motivation). The longer someone smokes before they try to quit their addiction, the harder it will be for them to give up this unhealthy habit in favor of something healthier like exercise or meditation (both great options).
Take advice from unfit and unhealthy people on how to be fit and healthy. Family included, especially a spouse.
Your family may be a source of support and encouragement, but they can also be a source of discouragement. It’s important to have a support network that will help you stay on track with your goals. Your family members may not be part of this network, so don’t expect them to understand why you need to eat healthy or exercise regularly. You might even find yourself getting into arguments with your spouse over it!
If your significant other isn’t supportive either, try talking about it with someone else who is interested in fitness–a friend or coworker who works out regularly might be able to give some good advice on how he or she stays motivated through tough times (and make sure that person doesn’t live off junk food).
Fail once. Quit forever.
You fail once. You quit forever.
In life, failure is inevitable. You’ll make mistakes and face setbacks along the way–and that’s okay! Failure is not the end of your journey; it’s a learning experience that can help you grow stronger and wiser as an individual. If you never fail, then how would you ever learn? If everything went according to plan every single time, how would we ever know what works or doesn’t work for us?
The key is not giving up when things don’t go our way; instead of quitting after one failure (or even multiple failures), we must learn from them so we can try again later on down the line when we feel ready enough to do so without feeling discouraged by previous experiences with similar tasks/goals/challenges etcetera ad infinitum…
Drink excessive amounts of alcohol, even if it’s just on the weekends.
Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, even if it’s just on the weekends.
Alcohol has been shown to be a depressant, sedative and vasodilator in humans. It also acts as a muscle relaxant and central nervous system depressant. Alcohol is also known to be extremely socially lubricating–it makes you feel good about yourself!
Blame your circumstances.
If you’re struggling to reach your health goals, it may be because of one or more of the following:
- Your genetics.
- Your age.
- Your weight.
- The type of work you do (or don’t do) and its impact on your body, mind and soul.
Blaming others or situations for you not being able to do something is a loser attitude. You are in control of your life. You are an adult. There are simple solutions to your problems, but they all require discipline and action. If you wait for situations to be perfect, you will be waiting for a long time
If you’re reading this and can identify with any of the above, it’s time to make a change. We can help you reach your health goals by teaching you how to eat right and exercise properly. Stop making excuses and come see us today!
