Motivation

Any obstacle can be overcome on the road to fitness. It might be really hard, but it is possible. Just head over to Pinterest and do a search for “what’s your excuse” to see hundreds of images of people who overcame all kinds of hardships and still managed to be fit.

Now, you might decide that it’s not worth it. You might come to the conclusion that you don’t want to put in the work. It might just not be a priority for you right now. That is perfectly okay too, just remember that it was your choice.

Going to the gym when you’ve had a bad day still burns calories. Remove the excuses and go. In fact, going to the gym when you’ve had a bad day is a great idea, and I highly recommended it. For one, it will vastly improve your mood. Even if you have a crappy workout, you’ll feel better that you went and did something. Getting those endorphins going will really help elevate you. Also, it is fantastic stress relief. If you’re angry, grab a slam ball and throw it as hard as you can against the ground repeatedly. Pretend it is your bosses/SO’s/that person that cut you off at your exit’s head. So cathartic.

I’ve even found that working out when angry makes me push even harder and I’ve gotten some of my best lifts and fastest times when I channeled all that rage into my workout. So don’t let a “bad day” be an excuse to avoid working out when it should be just the opposite! It’s an opportunity to let it all out, channel it in a healthy manner, and feel much better afterward.

I want you to take the time to think about all of the billions of tiny events that had to happen just so to make you who you are and bring you to where you are today. One little change in the past, and all of this would be different. What if your great great great great grandparents hadn’t met for some reason? What if a different sperm had won that race to the egg? Whether by crazy random happenstance or divine guidance, you are here, now. Do not let all of the effort that brought you to this time and place go to waste. You did not wake up today to just be mediocre. Go out there and be the very best version of you that you can be. If the very best you can do is getting out of bed and taking a shower, do that. If it means getting a new PR on your squat, do that.  Whatever you do today, do it to the very best of your ability. Go out there and be your own hero!

Excuses might make you feel better about missing a workout or about eating that second cookie, but they won’t help you get any closer to your goals. Instead of being reactive, try to switch to a more proactive mindset. Think of the excuses you use the most, and pre-define for yourself how you will overcome it next time it rears its ugly head.

For example, if you’ve had a rough day and thus feel you “deserve” a second cookie even if it doesn’t fit within your meal plan, instead, decide beforehand that if you do have a rough day, you’ll treat yourself some other way. Perhaps a bubble bath, or taking time to read, or doing your nails.

Your challenge for this week: write down every time you use an excuse, and then come up with a way to combat that excuse in the future. Can’t come up with an alternative tactic? Let me know in the comments, and I’ll help you out!

Sometimes, life can get crazy. Life is tough, and it doesn’t take much to feel like everything is spiraling out of control. It is at trying times like these that it is more important than ever to control what you can. You can’t control everything in life, but you can control what you put in your body.Let the constant of eating right and getting some exercise every day be your anchor when the waves of uncertainty are tossing you about.

The benefit of doing this is two-fold. Firstly, having this one constant routine in your day mentally gives you a bit of a break. Your brain has a chance to relax. It recognizes the routine, knows it, is familiar with it. Just like you can make a familiar drive almost on autopilot, a routine gives your brain something to work on that isn’t all that taxing and that can bring your stress levels down.

Secondly, continuing to eat right and exercise helps support your immune system. It keeps your body going strong, right when you really need that extra strength. When things are crazy enough as it is, the last thing you need is to not be feeling well on top of things. Control what you put into your body and you’ll be feeling your best to take on whatever life throws at you.