No More Excuses!

Excercise is hard! Really, I’m serious, it IS! But I’m not talking about the physical aspect of exercise (although this IS hard). I’m actually talking about the motivation required TO exercise. I find it SO hard to get off my lazy behind and actually get to the gym, or go for a run, or do a cycle class in the morning. Why is this? Why can’t I just wake up in the morning and go exercise? Why can’t I go to the gym after work on my way home? This is a long time problem for a lot of people and I have come to realize that while, yes, I am losing weight, I am losing it a lot slower than I should be. So today I wanted to present a few tips that may assist in conquering the “endless list of excuses.”

First, people are good at making excuses. No, really! We are! We will find or fabricate an excuse to get us out of any situation we aren’t comfortable with or simply don’t want to deal with. “Well, I didn’t eat a lot today so I will just exercise tomorrow,” or “It’s raining out so I’ll do my run when the weather is better.” These are all to common. So if you find yourself making excuses frequently, try writing them down. Look at them and then see if you can actually justify it. If you write down that you got hit by a car and are laying in a hospital bed then you’ve probably justified it. If you put down that you had a big dinner and are tired then you’re just making excuses!

Second, it is good for people to plan ahead. That is, don’t just show up at the gym not knowing what you intend to do. Many a failure has come this way. I have failed this way! I showed up, didn’t know what I wanted, got on a treadmill for 2 miles and left unsatisfied. Planning out your routine, what days you intend to exercise and so forth can definitely improve your chances of exercise success.

Lastly, write out a list of goals. What is it you really want, what is your prime goal and what are your smaller goals. Reward yourself when you achieve those goals (i.e. go on a small shopping spree, allow yourself a sweet dessert that is out of your normal diet, etc…). The goal system is a boost in motivation and confidence for anyone trying to change themselves. The reward system is also a good way to push yourself. This concept helped me quit smoking and I am trying to make it work for my exercise routines as well.

Always remember that little things can add up to big results. Replace the sugary coffee in the morning with a simple “skinny” latte or a plain coffee. Ease up on sugary foods, eat more fruits/veggies, etc… Every change you make for the better is one small step closer to your ultimate goal.

So, that is all I have for today’s post. Sorry but I have no food to show unless Moose’s Tooth Pizza is consumed later. We’ll see! 🙂 Goodbye for now and good luck for tomorrow!

Feelin good…

WOW am I tired! Running AND an aerobics weight class? That is simply amazing for me! The sad part is it made me realize just how out of shape I truly am. 😦 But that’s also a good thing because now I know how much I need to work. So lookout gym, here I come!! On the agenda tomorrow: bike to work (without rain please!), and hit the gym on the way home to do some weight lifting!

And so, tonights dinner! Another big fat WOW! Better than last night! Shrimp fajita’s with peppers and onions, guacamole, fresh pico de gallo and doused with lime juice! The key ingredient missing from yesterday’s dinner… cilantro. Did it ever make the meal tonight!

OK, here it is cookin’ up:

And here we go with the final product:

And just because I like pictures today and food is making me happy:

A fruit basket that is actually FULL! And to continue my spirit of trying new things I got myself some red plums because I can’t ever remember trying them. I tried to get some figs (another fruit I haven’t tried) but they looked really bad… 😦 Oh well! Life goe’s on!

Also picked up the current issue of Cooking Light, so I’m hoping for some interesting new recipes to cook. Am I ever having a blast eating clean! OK, that’s about all I’ve got for tonight!