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Member Comments for the Article:
Arm Yourself Against Exercise Excuses
Winning the Fight Against Yourself
188 Comments
BAMAJAM
7/16/2012 3:03:09 PM
Jason, I want to add my thanks for your blog! It is convenient to make excuses so that we can be LAZY--- and not get out of that comfy bed to hit the pavement with our walking shoes... but we cheat ourselves! Here is a short story about a deceased neighbor: Long ago Ed told me he would not try to give up smoking because "We all have to go some way." This was his excuse to continue chain smoking. Well, Ed cheated himself and he cheated his family. In his dying days of lung disease, Ed said to me---- "If I had only known how painful this would be . . . "--- He died too soon.
"I'll tell you something I don’t want though. I don’t want to cheat myself out of precious time because I didn’t do the things I should have to live that long life. I don’t want to rob my wife or kids of years they could have with me. I don’t want to stare at the ceiling in a hospital room one day thinking, “I wish I would have taken better care of myself and not allowed this to happen.”" Above is exactly why I rise every morning at 5:45 for my morning workout. I've become so accustomed to the routine that I feel 'off' if I miss a day. Thanks for your blog!
It was comforting to realise that even personal trainers sometimes falter in relation to motivation. I have made exercise (mainly swimming) part of the routine of my day and that helps. I do it automatically. There are days that are harder, but in the last month I have only missed one day and that was because I wasn't feeling too well. Consequently I have lost 23 lbs in two months, not bad going
PINEBLUFFCHICK
7/14/2012 6:04:54 PM
If I think of all of the days I'll have to exercise for the rest of my life, I feel like quitting right now. I have to think of exercise as a "just for today" activity. Just for today, I'm going to do strength training. Just for today, I'm going to ride my bike. Just for today, I'm going to go to Zumba. Just for today...makes it more manageable for me. If I had to think, this week I'm going to ride my bike 2 days, go to Zumba 4 days, lift weights 3 days, walk 2 days, etc...I become immobolized. So just for today, I'm going to ride my bike. I'm off!
Boy, did this article come just in time!! I was thinking just now some great excuses not to get on the treadmill!! I'm on a roll so why stop it now. Well, I'm off to to a couple miles!
I definitely identify with this article. I will now tell myself that "I will do what I need to do in order to do what I want to do!" Thanks for the great read!
This statement "I will do what I need to do, in order to do what I want to do." Made me sit up and take notice. I need to get off the dime and take care of business.
IMJUNO
7/14/2012 7:25:16 AM
Wow, I had that argument last night. Lost. Today, I am up and going out the door! Thanks for the pep talk.
Hi, Jason, Today after listening to too many self-talk excuses for not exercisinig, I read your posting. It was just what I needed to get over the hurdle of "don't want to"into the greener pastures of "I will." Your reasoning is convincing, full of good principles for living well, and loving. Plus you are a talented writer. Thank you, thank you! Mary
As I was reading this article I noted my motivator gauge was increasing...............!
It was nice to know, it doesn't happen to just ME!
Something else happened when I was walking the other day. Instead of watching my clock to see how much longer I had to walk, I started listening to an audio book my first ever......I missed my turn?!! Walked right past it!! Lol I started laughing.......TRUST me that has never happened to me exercising!
SparkPeople member AQUAGIRL08 struggled with chronic pain unitl she decided to take control of her health through diet and exercise. She offers her best advice anyone dealing with pain.