There are 100 Reasons you Shouldn’t Work Out Today.

Debbie Hatch | Family & F.I.T.

Excuses

 

You may have 100 problems.

Coming up with excuses as to why you shouldn’t exercise or eat properly, ain’t one of ‘um.

No.  There are plenty of things you might have a shortage of today!  A lack of money, patience, motivation, willpower, or time to name a few.

Few of us are ever short on excuses, though. There are 100 reasons (or more) why you shouldn’t work out today. As the day goes on, the list gets longer.

 

Take me for example. I had 9 (seemingly) valid excuses before 730 this morning! I got up at 5 intending to go to the gym. At 7 I was still standing in the kitchen because

 

EXCUSE 1: My stomach didn’t feel “quite right”

EXCUSE 2. My kids were up and I don’t normally get to stand around and chat

EXCUSE 3: I wanted a coffee before heading to the gym

EXCUSE 4: I didn’t have a copy of my programed workout printed, and

EXCUSE 5: I’m not going to have the opportunity to workout much in the next few days so, really, what’s the point? I can just start fresh next week.

 

A little after 7, I gave myself a convincing pep talk and headed to the gym. I walked through the door at 720. Then

 

EXCUSE 6: I realized how badly I really needed to shave my armpits (Gasp. Yes, I just said that on the Internet, because it’s true).

EXCUSE 7: I forgot my gloves and my log

EXCUSE 8: My music wasn’t working

EXCUSE 9: I just didn’t feel like it.

 

A little after 815, I walked out of the gym having just completed one of my best workouts in a while.  I felt great!

 

How did that happen?

 

Am I super-human? Not in this arena.  🙂

Am I just so focused on the workout that I will do it no matter what? Absolutely not.

Am I immune to excuses? Ummm…… Not really.

 

What I am is a great mediator. What I do is provide rational arguments as to why the excuses don’t really matter.  Here are the excuses again. For each one, I developed a counter-argument.

 

EXCUSE 1: My stomach didn’t feel “quite right”.

COUNTER: My stomach was fine. It’s just that I had taken my vitamins on an empty stomach with nothing but coffee. One rice cake with some almond butter and, presto, I felt fine.

 

EXCUSE 2. My kids were up and I don’t normally get to stand around and chat.

COUNTER: The kids would still be up once I got back from the gym and we could talk then.

 

EXCUSE 3: I wanted a coffee before heading to the gym.

COUNTER: Coffee had been made. There are several travel mugs in the house so I could bring it with me.

 

EXCUSE 4: I didn’t have a copy of my programed workout printed.

COUNTER: I am not prepping for a competition, I could do whatever workout I felt like doing. Oh, and by the way, there’s a soft copy of the workout in e-mail on my phone.

 

EXCUSE 5: I’m not going to have the opportunity to workout much in the next few days so, really, what’s the point? I can just start fresh next week.

COUNTER: This is an all-or-nothing attitude! One that requires nothing less of perfection, and one which serves absolutely no purpose whatsoever. Instead, why not think, “If I exercise only one day, that is one day that I exercised!”

 

EXCUSE 6: I realized how badly I really needed to shave my armpits (yup, I just said that on the internet, because it’s true).

COUNTER: This excuse was ridiculous! Yes, I need to shave but (a) there were precisely two other people in the gym (b) they were in the cardio room and I was in the weight room – by myself with just the mirrors (eek), and (c) what IF someone saw me? What business is it of theirs whether I shave or not? In reality, they are in the gym to do their own workouts, not pay attention to me.

 

EXCUSE 7: I forgot my gloves and my log.

COUNTER: These excuses are getting weaker and weaker. Neither of these things is required to workout.

 

EXCUSE 8: My music wasn’t working.

COUNTER: There is music in the gym. Maybe not my playlist, but music none-the-less.

 

EXCUSE 9: I just didn’t feel like it.

COUNTER: If I was going to use this excuse, I should have just stayed at home. If I don’t work out now, I’ve wasted my time and gas driving over here.

 

 

I’m not exaggerating when I say there are hundreds of (seemingly) valid excuses. Here are a few of my favorites:

– – This really isn’t a good time for me. I’m super busy.

– – I have family visiting this summer. There’s no way I can stick to this with them here.

– – The kids are out of school. Again, I’m super busy.

– – I have that [insert function] party, wedding, reunion, etc. coming up in two weeks. I can’t really watch what I’m eating until after that.

– – I have finals coming, or that big project at work. I’m super busy.  Are you seeing a trend?

– – I’m going on vacation next month. I can’t start anything until after that.

– – But this is [insert place] and they’re famous for [insert food/drink you just HAVE to have].

 

Folks, this is life. Life happens. There is never a quiet time. There is never a perfect time. There is never a time when you aren’t super busy. There are always events, functions, and family visits. This town is known for this thing and that city for something else.  I realize that I travel a little more than the recreational vacation, but….

This is exactly why I do not advocate diets. You need to learn how to eat healthier, how to exercise more, how to take care of yourself IN this life. Your life. In all of it’s craziness and busyness.

3 comments

  1. You’re so right. There’s always a counter argument. The brain always throws up reasons not to change a habit. The thing to work towards is making your new venture part of your normal routine. Then, the brain accepts your activity and argues if you try to veer away from that. Haha.

  2. Of course, the best excuse to go- is that you have a better chance of having a tomorrow…

    1. One might even say, “a better chance of having a better (easier/healthier) tomorrow”, Roy. Thanks!!

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