Stop Making Excuses

Oryx

As its new year, its the time when I notice a lot more people trying to improve fitness and shift the pounds. It usually peters out by the end of the month, and I think thats a pity.

But what I notice when reading threads here and talking to people irl, is that while many really do want to change and work and get fit, for some reason the minute they start getting real and putting a plan of action together, the excuses start. Its almost subconcious, I dont think they realise they even do it. I hear it so often now, I expect it.

Its stuff like this:

My arms arent strong, so I cant do weights.
I cant run, I have weak ankles/backache.
I cant swim, I hate the chlorine.
I would, but my metabolism means I'm big anyway.
I havent time.
I havent money.
I'm too tired in the evenings.
I dont know how.
I'd never be able to do that distance.
I need to give up smoking first... sometime I will.
I'll start next week....this week is too busy.


I'm not coming at this as holier than thou. Ive probably come up with my own excuses in my time. I just want to say to anyone facing into fitness for the first time, to be aware if you do this. Stop the excuses. Thats all they are, ways to put off doing the hard work. And I appreciate it is hard to begin. In fact its downright horrible cos you feel like an idiot who doesnt know what to do, and you suffer too! But anyone who ever got fit in any way did it by starting just like you, and sweating and working. Dont pretend your non existent gammy ankles are stopping you... and just do it.

Transform

Oryx wrote: »

As its new year, its the time when I notice a lot more people trying to improve fitness and shift the pounds. It usually peters out by the end of the month, and I think thats a pity.

But what I notice when reading threads here and talking to people irl, is that while many really do want to change and work and get fit, for some reason the minute they start getting real and putting a plan of action together, the excuses start. Its almost subconcious, I dont think they realise they even do it. I hear it so often now, I expect it.

Its stuff like this:

My arms arent strong, so I cant do weights.
I cant run, I have weak ankles/backache.
I cant swim, I hate the chlorine.
I would, but my metabolism means I'm big anyway.
I havent time.
I havent money.
I'm too tired in the evenings.
I dont know how.
I'd never be able to do that distance.
I need to give up smoking first... sometime I will.
I'll start next week....this week is too busy.


I'm not coming at this as holier than thou. Ive probably come up with my own excuses in my time. I just want to say to anyone facing into fitness for the first time, to be aware if you do this. Stop the excuses. Thats all they are, ways to put off doing the hard work. And I appreciate it is hard to begin. In fact its downright horrible cos you feel like an idiot who doesnt know what to do, and you suffer too! But anyone who ever got fit in any way did it by starting just like you, and sweating and working. Dont pretend your non existent gammy ankles are stopping you... and just do it.

agreed - if its got to be its up to me. Your new mantra

FruttiTutti

Oryx wrote: »

I dont know how.

I actually don't know how. I really want to find some exercises I can do at home that will tone my arms - any ideas? I have 8 weeks to get from flab to fab!

Ciaran500

FruttiTutti wrote: »

I actually don't know how. I really want to find some exercises I can do at home that will tone my arms - any ideas? I have 8 weeks to get from flab to fab!

Do you have any equipment?
Have you looked at your diet? You'r not going to make much gain without improving that too.

metamorphosis

The gym was FULL the last few nights - circuits was packed, so was spinning. Same has happened the last two years i have been in this gym. Come the end of next week, people stop and things resume to normal. Id be training on the roads like crazy now onlt for an achilles injuury.

Popped over to the nutririon forum last night and was amazed by the amount of 'fix my diet' threads and new food diaries ... i wonder how long before they give up (not saying they all will).

I dont see xmas as a time to eat yourself into a coma. At xmas i see it as a little bit of relaxing time. I keep on training and become a little more liberal with what i put in my mouth but i do not eat untill i feel sick. If i want ben and jerrys i have some or a small tub - not ten tubs!!!!!

G86

ULstudent wrote: »

The gym was FULL the last few nights - circuits was packed, so was spinning. Same has happened the last two years i have been in this gym. !!

Same in my gym, was pure packed, it's great people are joining but I just wish they didn't all go at the same time!

It's soo easy to get into a proper habit of working out, you just have to stick at it for a few weeks and eventually it just becomes normal routine to go. It's those first few weeks that are the most important!

Oryx

FruttiTutti wrote: »

I actually don't know how. I really want to find some exercises I can do at home that will tone my arms - any ideas? I have 8 weeks to get from flab to fab!

If youve no equipment at all, youve got bodyweight exercises you can do. I can name some but not all of them, but they are mentioned all over the place here. Pushups, planks, ab crunches, lunges, squats, burpees, star jumps, and dozens of other things can all be done in your sittingroom without any kit. Not all for your arms though, but if you want to lose flab off your arms then you have to lose it everywhere else too. Running is something anyone can do, and if you cant run, walk. Once you start, and learn a few moves, youll find you discover others as you read here and get more into it generally. I learn a new exercise practically every week.

Read all the stickies here, if you dont know what a term means, youtube is great for showing you the move.