Either you’re exercise phobic or just plumb full of excuses… some call it BS!
I learnt a great life lesson some time ago and it has stuck with me, because of its simplicity and truth: in every part of life you’re either RESULTS or REASONS.
It’s so true; we all have reasons why we didn’t or couldn’t achieve this or that. But when you cut to the chase those reasons/excuses are really just stories!
A good friend of mine, Dr Marc Dussault from Exponential Programs, sent me a few cartoons for my blog. I’ve posted a couple today which I’m sure you’re going to love. In fact, it was either Marc or the great man, Anthony Robbins, who taught me that wonderful life lesson (results or reasons).
I’m sure, like me, you’ve heard bigger people say stuff like “I’m big boned; that’s why I’m a little larger and can’t lose it.” Let’s great real here, being big boned is BS, it’s simply a reason they have created to justify their body shape. Sadly, this story they tell is exactly what is keeping them from achieving more.
So be careful of the stories you tell. If we’re honest, we all create and tell stories of one kind or another, usually to defend or argue a position we’re taking. Sometimes those stories are quite frankly brilliant, but sometimes they lack ownership and honesty and become our very own ball and chain…
I haven’t got time to exercise… I have an injury which prevents exercise…
Let’s address the age old time excuse. Out of 168 hours in a week you’ve probably got around about 90 hours you’re awake or 180 half hour blocks… and you can’t find 3 half hour blocks to go and do some exercise??!! Bullshit! That’s just the story you tell yourself so you don’t feel guilty about the lack of exercise in your life.
But you can’t afford to not exercise. We’re made up of three elements – mind, body and spirit. Show of hands, who doesn’t want to live life to the full? No one… thought so. Do you know that the one thing you can do to make sure you have quality of life is to take care of your body. After all, you only get one!
And if you really are a bit time-pushed, then you’re probably stressed out too. In which case, your body, mind and spirit are desperately crying out for some physical activity to relieve the pressure. And if you’re fitter and healthier then you’ll have more energy to juggle all the things going on in your life. There’s a saying I have that energy begets energy!
Now, how about the injury excuse. I strongly recommend you read my post on 19th August, 2011 about why it’s absolutely essential to exercise when you’re injured, so that your body and health don’t deteriorate.
No doubt you think I’m a bit of an extremist and it’s easy for me to say all this when I live and breathe my Gym. But I have to work at it too. Recently I had about 7 weeks off exercise to recover from a hernia operation, so I know what it’s like to have minimal energy and very little interest in resuming exercise because it’s going to be a big battle to get fit again.
But here’s the key, no matter what your reason, excuse or story is… take one step at a time, the same way you eat an elephant, one bit at a time. Start now, don’t overdo it, make your effort sustainable. For the first month or so keep it easy and then slowly increase so that at 3 months you’re still exercising and you’re fitter, healthier and enjoying a more full life!
