“I can’t change my diet because I have tried it in the past and it didn’t work”.
“I can’t start exercising because, I don’t have the time”.
“I don’t like to workout alone, I need a friend to push me”.
These are all excuses as to why you are not reaching your wellness goals! Why do we make excuses? Fear! Lack of willpower! Low energy! And then there are some who are just too lazy to make the changes.
Our mindset is very important when it comes to wanting to achieve something. Whether you want to lose weigh, eat healthier, stop drinking or using drugs, stop smoking, or any other obstacle that you need to climb over to reach your wellness goals, you have to commit to yourself to work at changing your beliefs that are limiting you.
For myself, I was an avid exerciser: every day at 6 am 6 days a week. I did it alone or with a friend if one was available and had the same goal as I did. This was a habit that I would not break! I loved how I felt after exercising. I felt on top of the world; full of energy, strong and ready to conquer my work day. Then I got sick and was unable to exercise(or barely walk) for months. The entire time I was ill I wanted so bad to get back in the gym. I missed how it made me feel. I missed the strength I had. I missed my personal time, the one thing I did for myself.
As I started to heal, I just could not get myself back on the workout train! WHY? FEAR!!!
I had lost the willpower and fear took hold. I was so afraid that if I started exercising again, I would fall back into the illness I was treating. I was afraid of the pain returning; the debility; and the overall letdown. SO it was easy to just not try.
But, This is not how my mind works. I never give up. I always fight for what I want. I started journaling to get the negative thoughts out of my mind and on paper(this was easier than telling someone my fears). I made small goals for myself. I made a list of 5 basic exercises to do each day. I started slow and each week I added 5 more reps until I was able to do all 5 of those exercises without pain or weakness afterward. I eventually added cardio in the form of walking 3 days a week.
Because I changed my mindset about fear and pain, I was able to regain my willpower toward feeling good. I can’t make excuses anymore because if I do, I know I will go backward and become ill again! Only, a different illness caused by not taking care of myself.
Here are a few tips for you to try!
- journal your thoughts of why you are not reaching your health goal(s)
- write down small achievable goals
- start working on the goals even if you have to do 1 at a time.
- write the positive results that will come from reaching your health goal
- read these positive thoughts every day
- yes you can find yourself an accountability partner but you really have to hold yourself accountable for your actions. (what if your partner is not around?)
Tina Butt, Health and Wellness Coach and Healthcare Advocate