Defeating Excuses

Let’s get honest for a moment… There are a thousand and one excuses we can conjure up to not get into shape.  A light, drizzly rain lends itself as an excuse not to run.  A houseguest seems like a good reason to not get in your morning workout.  A heavy workload becomes the catalyst to a lack of physical activity at home.  The list can go on and on forever.  The best defense against such reasonable sounding excuses is one thing – Consistency.

When you are consistent in your healthy habits, your excuses begin to fade.  Let me explain.  People are naturally given to routines.  We like things to go in a reasonably predictable pattern with each day.  Even the most spontaneous person likes to have certain things they can count on each day.  As exercise and healthy habits make their way into our routines, we like them to stay there.  Excuses don’t seem to hold the same value they once had when health becomes a habit.

Recently I had a conversation with a friend that has gotten into the habit of running.  He confessed that adding running to his routine was difficult at first.  Several months later he said, “It is like a drug.  You really want to do it.”  Stories like my friend's abound when people find something they enjoy doing and make it a part of their weekly or daily routine.

So how to you build consistency?  Here are a few steps to get you there:

1. Find the Time.  Figure out a 30-minute window that you can devote toward a healthy habit.  It should be at least three days a week in order to begin seeing results.  (You can start with more time and more days if you would like.)*

2. Establish Your Consistency Goal.  Mark a date 60 to 90 days away on the calendar.  Your goal is to be consistent in your healthy habit for the duration of this time.  Remember, putting it on the calendar will not get you there.  You have to make the decision daily to go for it!

3. Tell Somebody.  Announce your consistency goal to a spouse, family member, or friend.  Tell the that you need them to ask you at the close of each week whether or not your completed your consistency goal.  The accountability will motivate your all the more.

Start building consistency today!  The result will be reduced excuses and a healthier you.

* - If you are considering a rigorous physical exercise plan you should want to consult someone with medical expertise in order to make sure that you do not risk injury.