ELIMINATING EXCUSES | fitness

At least once per week, I say to myself, “There aren’t enough hours in the day.” Between work, school and my social life, it’s a challenge to find time to exercise. So, what am I going to do about this? Let’s think outside of the box . . .

Everyday at the office, I see smokers take breaks to get their “puff on.” Why is that? Well, we all need breaks and nicotine is addictive. Hmmm … ok, got it. Well, why don’t I take exercise breaks at work? I need breaks and I am “addicted” to exercise. I should bring my dumbells, pull-up bar or some other fitness equipment to the office and take short breaks through out the day to exercise. Will these fit-breaks take the place of a traditional workout? Probably not. Can they be beneficial? Of course! Esepcially if I take multiple breaks throughout the day. I only need to figure out the logistics of bringing and storing my equipment and securing an area for my fit-break . . . ain’t nothing but a peanut! YEAH BUDDY!

DO SOMETHIN’!

Ever fall short of a goal or a promise that you made to yourself? I have too many times. In these situations, it’s easy for me to berate myself for a few days or longer. Please, don’t be like me! At these moments when I fall short of the mark, I’ve learned that the best I can do is to review what happened to find the root cause. Once I understand the root cause, I have to move on better equipped due to my new knowledge and leave the past in the past. When I don’t follow this path and I spend time beating myself up (figuratively), I only end up feeling worse and have not increased my chances of doing any better. Basically, I end up working against myself!

So, if you find yourself falling short of a fitness goal (or any personal goal), be on your own team and take the steps that are likely to lead to success! Seek to understand what caused you to fall short (did you set an unrealistic goal? did you overtrain? need to improve your discipline? etc.). Once you do, feel good about yourself for taking the time to self-evaluate. Use this lesson to keep you from repeating the issue. If you chose to dwell on the past, you’ll only be holding yourself back from doing any better.

DO SOMETHIN’!

In virtually all of my posts, I’ve spent time talking about how to improve oneself via fitness and nutrition. I hope that you have found this information useful and motivating (if you have not, that’s ok because the posts are useful and motivating to me )

Today, I want to share some words on self-appreciation. I share health and fitness information to help us improve on where we are currently. But I am not stating or implying that our current overall physical state is bad. In most if not all aspects of life, we will be continually evolving. Our current state is just that: our current state. Let’s be thankful for where we are because it could be different; it could be worse. I encourage you to acknowledge that your current state has its merits. In you current state, you are physically and mentally capable of doing what it takes to make improvements. Right now you have the power to DO SOMETHIN’! That’s a blessing.

Make the most of today and be good to yourself.

If you are like me, this time of year leads to a great deal of reflection on the entire year. I hope your 2007 was full of growth and development spiritually, personally and professionally. In the areas that may have been challenging, I expect you have thoughts and plans on how to improve. If you are thinking of waiting to January 1, 2008 to act on your plans and ideas, I encourage you to act on your plans today! Tomorrow is not promised to anyone, neither is all of today. Make the most of today. You have the power, so DO SOMETHIN’!

Happy holidays and best wishes for 2008!

Recently, someone that I thought was a friend lied to me and broke my trust for the sole purpose of his personal benefit. I admit that it was disappointing and also angered me. However, in this situation (as in every situation), I had the power to choose how to react to such foul behavior. Rather than return the negative energy in a vengeful way, I took that energy into the gym and handled some business. Did going to the gym remove all of the anger and disappoint? No, not all of it. Though, the gym did allow me to have some form of an immediate release and to focus that energy in a positive way rather than a destructive manner. After the workout, I could reflect on the situation from a calmer perspective.

When you face similar situations that lead to anger, disappoint and/or hurt feelings, I suggest that you find a positive outlet to help you move forward. Rather than allowing these unfortunate situations to hinder or destroy your progess towards your fitness goals, flip the script and use that energy to propel yourself to that next level of fitness. Two wrongs don’t make a right and negative energy often finds its way back to the originator.

DO SOMETHIN’!

Struggling to find the discipline to hit your workouts consistently? Looking for a way to push yourself to that next level?

Finding a workout partner could help in both areas. You and your partner can help support each other in your respective efforts and you both can remind the other to be accoutable for being disciplined. Who would make the ideal partner? I’ll leave that for you to decide based on your personality and your goals. However, I believe that anyone can make a decent workout partner as long as you both vow to encourage each other and to give your best efforts to DO SOMETHIN’! It doesn’t matter if your partner is stronger or has more endurance. While you two may be able to compete with each other in a healthy and supportive manner, remember that your ultimate goal is to be the best you that you can be. So focus on giving your all and on supporting your partner; and she/he should do the same. When you are working towards those last reps, your partner’s words of encouragement and her/his ability to provide a spot if needed could help you to knock out thost last reps and even some extra ones. In addition, you and your partner can help critique each other’s form and technique on exercises to minimize the risk of an injury and to maximize your muscles’ efforts.

DO SOMETHIN’!

Last Monday in my important message I briefly touched upon the connection between health and fitness and conquering challenges throughout life by stating the following: “My passion for health and fitness stems from my belief that good health and fitness better equips one for conquering challenges throughout the journey of fulfilling one’s purpose in life.” I’d like to elaborate on this point.

As you reach and surpass your health and fitness goals, there’s a sense of accomplishment that is empowering. You learn that your body is stronger, more capable and has more stamina than you may have thought. You realize that if your mind can envision a goal and if you believe that you can accomplish it, your body will deliver. The discomfort of lactic acid, soar muscles and other signs of physical exertion no longer distract your focus as you pursue your goal. On the contrary, you look forward to these feelings because they are signs of your hard work and give you the opportunity to DO SOMETHIN’!

These feelings of confidence and empowerment will permeate other aspects of your life. The path to success in reaching and then exceeding your health and fitness goals will serve as a template for achieving success in other areas of your life. You’ll begin to ask yourself, “If I can DO SOMETHIN’ during my workouts, why cannot I DO SOMETHIN’ at work?” You’ll say, “I had mental barriers in the way of my fitness goals; but I persevered and prevailed, and I continue ascending to higher levels. Why can’t I overcome my mental barriers that prevent me from closing the deal? from pursuing my true passion in life? from starting my own business? from going back to school? from giving that dynamic speech?” With your new found confidence and boldness, you will eliminate excuses.

I wish you the best in your journey. Do not settle for less than your best and do not doubt yourself. Be audacious and confident in the pursuit of fulfilling your purpose. Ignore the haters. Always DO SOMETHIN’!