EXCUSES BE GONE
You’ve come a long way in the work of becoming EMPOWERED. You’ve taken a serious look at your current state of health and where the path you’ve been on will lead. You examined the influence of your family, friends and society on the way you care for yourself. You created a vision of what optimal health is for you, and you decided on one, consistent change. Now let’s shore up the foundation of good health you have created by addressing some of the possible excuses you might be tempted to use.
All-too-Common Excuses
No matter how strong your reason to change is and no matter how you’ve progressed by implementing positive change in your life, challenges will arise. There will be times when you’re “too busy” to exercise. Some days might be full of stress and you will think you “deserve” dinner from the drive-thru. If you’re trying to lose weight, you might look in the mirror in a moment of weakness and call yourself the f-word. Worse of all, you may even think it is “too hard” and give up. You’re human, so let’s get rid of your excuses before you try to use them!
It's too hard is a common excuse and that’s why adding one new behavior at a time is so effective as a strategy for long-term change. You don’t have to do it all at once! Life-long wellness is your objective and incorporating one positive habit into your day – this day – will show you that you can. Taken one day at a time, anything is possible.
I’m too busy is another big one. The number one strategy to defuse this one is to understand that all movement counts. Exercising most days of the week is an important part of overall health, but it doesn’t have to be a formal class, personal training session or online workout. Walking in 5 to 10-minute increments, gardening, cleaning your house for 30 minutes and playing with the kids outside all count. Seriously, give yourself credit for the movement you get every day.
I deserve to eat whatever I want, a day on the couch, a bowl of ice cream, another slice of pizza, etc…Sure, we all need down time to recover, but are you doing what’s really best for you? Be open to taking a walk, meditating, talking to a friend or giving yourself a non-food reward when you want to treat yourself.
I’m not worthy of being healthy is an all-too-common belief. If this is an erroneous thought you have, go back to the Discover Your Meaning chapter and remind yourself of the false beliefs you hold. A belief is simply a thought you’ve repeated over and over to yourself. You are not the beliefs, which were handed to you by others.
What will my family or friends or peer group think can be a self-limiting question/excuse. In fact, it may stop you before you begin. Creating the high-level of health you deserve will require you to up your game and that will change how you eat, exercise, sleep and look. People will notice when you decide to go home early, and when you skip dessert, and when your energy level soars. Those who care for you will support you, and they just might start taking better care of themselves.
I’m fat, unathletic, ugly, whatever! Poor body image is common in a world bombarding you every moment with messages of how you are supposed to look. You are sacred and beautiful. You are perfect as you are right now. You are treasured.
Defuse the Excuse
Knowing that what you’re thinking in a moment of weakness is one thing, but you also need to know how to defuse the power of the excuse. What follows is a simple process you can use to regain your power whenever one of those self-defeating thoughts arise. With a nod to Dr. Wayne Dyer, I suggest you challenge your excuses and choose thoughts that serve you better right now with these questions:
1. Is it true?
2. Where did this limiting excuse come from?
3. What’s the payoff of believing this?
4. What would my life look like if I couldn’t use this excuse?
A final note:
Eating disorders and body dysmorphia do not get better on their own, and this book is not a substitute for the care of a board-certified therapist or physician. Please seek help from a mental health professional or your primary care doctor to address this issue.