Actually - she didn't use to say the following... it's just the title I came up with...
But do you ever hear or say the following?
- I can't get up in the morning because my (husband/wife/ spouse) is a night owl
- I can't exercise because I have no time
- I can't do it because its too hard
- I can't workout because I don't have the money for a gym
- I can't eat right because I can't afford the produce.
- I can't eat right because I don't have time to cook healthy meals
- I can't workout because my health is too poor
- I can't workout because I am too old or fat or weak...
- I can't------------------- whatever - the list goes on and on and on of excuses people make for why they "can't" get healthy.
I laugh at myself for always using the phrase, "My mom used to always say..." and, I am going to use it again...
My mom used to always say..."If you DON'T want to do something, any excuse will do."
The truth is, if you find yourself saying, "I can't", it just means, "I don't want it bad enough".
The reverse is also true - if you want something bad enough - there will be NOTHING that can stop you!
It's true!
For each of those "I can't" statements above, there is a doable solution. I have had to find solutions to EVERY SINGLE ONE of those statements at some point or another and I always hear more everyday. I will not tell you what your solution needs to be. YOU need to find it!
AND YOU NEED TO HAVE A REASON TO FIND A SOLUTION!
I just finished working with a client as she struggled through her fitness assessment and was really down about how weak she was.
Her reason for deciding today to give it all she has - her kid.
She needs to be able to care for an autistic child and doesn't have the strength to do it.
Her job is now to just show up to bootcamp - no matter what!
What about you?
What is your reason for setting aside the time to workout and to push through the excuses:
Your challenge today is to find a compelling "why", and by compelling, I mean more than just being skinny. That is NOT enough - it NEVER is!
Find a reason deeper than that. Maybe initially your reason might be to be skinny... but why?
Keep asking yourself why until there is a reason that holds a strong place in your gut.
To give you an example, here are my initial reasons why and my journey to find a compelling reason to keep me going. My first reason why came 2 years ago - my conversation with myself back when I was 40 pounds overweight:
"Why do I want to start a workout program?"
"I feel like crap and I want to feel better."
"WHY?"
"I can't do anything I want to do right now and I want to be able to run.
why is that important?"
"I used to do those things. I used to do more dancing and running."
"Why are those things important to me?"
"I feel better when I do it."
"Why is that important?"
"When I feel good, I treat my family better. When I feel good about me, I am more patient, kind and loving to those around me, and my kids need a mom like that."
At that point in my life my anger was out of control and so was my depression - exercising regularly keeps it in check - that was reason enough to go when it was hard. I just had to picture my children's faces when I was a mean mom and see their sadness in my mind. It's a serious motivator for me.
(I feel another topic for a blog coming on.)
I hope you get it. I hope you find a reason to do hard things - like pulling yourself out of bed in the morning to get a workout in, or changing your eating habits.
Dig deep today and tell me what your reason is, I would love to hear it.
My reason - I am a better mom when I work out. and I do it for my kids. I do it for me, but my kids need me to do it too. I feel amazing and it transfers over to my family.
What is your why?
But do you ever hear or say the following?
- I can't get up in the morning because my (husband/wife/ spouse) is a night owl
- I can't exercise because I have no time
- I can't do it because its too hard
- I can't workout because I don't have the money for a gym
- I can't eat right because I can't afford the produce.
- I can't eat right because I don't have time to cook healthy meals
- I can't workout because my health is too poor
- I can't workout because I am too old or fat or weak...
- I can't------------------- whatever - the list goes on and on and on of excuses people make for why they "can't" get healthy.
I laugh at myself for always using the phrase, "My mom used to always say..." and, I am going to use it again...
My mom used to always say..."If you DON'T want to do something, any excuse will do."
The truth is, if you find yourself saying, "I can't", it just means, "I don't want it bad enough".
The reverse is also true - if you want something bad enough - there will be NOTHING that can stop you!
It's true!
For each of those "I can't" statements above, there is a doable solution. I have had to find solutions to EVERY SINGLE ONE of those statements at some point or another and I always hear more everyday. I will not tell you what your solution needs to be. YOU need to find it!
AND YOU NEED TO HAVE A REASON TO FIND A SOLUTION!
I just finished working with a client as she struggled through her fitness assessment and was really down about how weak she was.
Her reason for deciding today to give it all she has - her kid.
She needs to be able to care for an autistic child and doesn't have the strength to do it.
Her job is now to just show up to bootcamp - no matter what!
What about you?
What is your reason for setting aside the time to workout and to push through the excuses:
- Want to get off diabetes medication?
- Want better heart health?
- Want to walk and not be weary? or run and not faint?
- Want to keep up with demanding kids?
- Want to play sports?
- Maybe you just want to be a stronger competitor?
Your challenge today is to find a compelling "why", and by compelling, I mean more than just being skinny. That is NOT enough - it NEVER is!
Find a reason deeper than that. Maybe initially your reason might be to be skinny... but why?
Keep asking yourself why until there is a reason that holds a strong place in your gut.
To give you an example, here are my initial reasons why and my journey to find a compelling reason to keep me going. My first reason why came 2 years ago - my conversation with myself back when I was 40 pounds overweight:
"Why do I want to start a workout program?"
"I feel like crap and I want to feel better."
"WHY?"
"I can't do anything I want to do right now and I want to be able to run.
why is that important?"
"I used to do those things. I used to do more dancing and running."
"Why are those things important to me?"
"I feel better when I do it."
"Why is that important?"
"When I feel good, I treat my family better. When I feel good about me, I am more patient, kind and loving to those around me, and my kids need a mom like that."
At that point in my life my anger was out of control and so was my depression - exercising regularly keeps it in check - that was reason enough to go when it was hard. I just had to picture my children's faces when I was a mean mom and see their sadness in my mind. It's a serious motivator for me.
(I feel another topic for a blog coming on.)
I hope you get it. I hope you find a reason to do hard things - like pulling yourself out of bed in the morning to get a workout in, or changing your eating habits.
Dig deep today and tell me what your reason is, I would love to hear it.
My reason - I am a better mom when I work out. and I do it for my kids. I do it for me, but my kids need me to do it too. I feel amazing and it transfers over to my family.
What is your why?
for my kids, for me. I don't want to be a wheezy, diabetic, heart transplanted, old fart.
ReplyDelete- Rebecca S. Gubler
Hahaha! I love it Rebecca! so true huh?
ReplyDeleteWhat keeps me going is showing my kids that you can do anything and are never too busy to take care of yourself. A little while ago my kids starting taking on the "I can't" attitude. So, we decided that we wouldn't use those two words in our family and that they had to try. My eleven year old asked if the new rule was for me when it came to exercising. Of course, I said yes. I want to show them that you are never too busy or you can do anything you put your mind to.
ReplyDeleteJody Doty
I exercise because it makes me feel good. I don't want to get diabetes like my grandma, my dad and my aunt. I have seen what that disease can do and I want no part of it!
ReplyDeleteI think it's funny that we tend to define and limit ourselves by what we don't/"can't" do instead of challenging ourselves to do/become something new and different.
ReplyDeleteIn answer to your question: to be someone I like and can trust and believe is unstoppable - the me that is like all the amazing women I see around me.
As for being an old fart, I kind of look forward to that, but I'll pass on the wheezy, diabetic, heart-transplanted part. Thank you! ;)
I want to fit in my clothes and WANT to run. I used to think I could run and play if I wanted...I just didn't want to. HELLO!!! It was uncomfortable and blubbery and wheezy! Who would want that? So now, I want to run and play because I CAN!
ReplyDeleteI want to be in shape, fit and look good.. I want to look good for me but want my husband to say WOW, thats my wife.... even when im 60...
ReplyDelete