How many excuses have you used over the years to avoid getting in shape and losing weight? We all have them. The truth about excuses is they do keep you from reaching your desired weight and taking control of your health.
Let's cover some of the most common excuses and try to motivate ourselves to get over them and start working towards those weight loss goals.
Excuse #1 - I don't like to be hungry. The truth is, no one does. Another truth is that slight hunger will not kill you. I'm not talking about starving yourself here, but if eating less or waiting until you're really hungry will help you lose weight, why not give it a shot? If you're suffering from severe hunger pangs, by all means eat something. Try eating a small portion of something to curb the hunger. You don't have to stuff yourself every time you eat.
Excuse #2 - I've tried it. It doesn't work for me. This excuse can be tricky. Have you tried every diet under the sun and every exercise routine on the planet? How long did you stick with it? To get rid of this excuse you need to think in terms of lifestyle changes and being in it for the long haul. Stop thinking diets and lose weight quick schemes. Those don't work and if that's what you've been trying, then it's true, it doesn't work for you. In fact, those only work for a tiny percentage of people.
Excuse #3 - I love food. I can't help it. Many people love food, but they still eat in moderation. You need to ask yourself if your eating habits are killing you. Do you love food more than you love being healthy or being alive. If you have a food addiction and use that as an excuse, it could be likely that you have an unhealthy relationship with food. You need to think about that and do something about it.
Also, good food can come in many forms. It doesn't have to be high-fat foods. Instead of chips and sweets, try adding more fruit to your diet. You still get something sweet and fruits usually contain a lot less calories than processed junk food.
Excuse #4 - I hate healthy food, like vegetables. A lot of people don't like vegetables. However, new diet plans like low carb or paleo allows you to eat meats, cheeses and dairy products. You do need some vegetables in your diet, but you don't have to eat every vegetable on the planet. Choose a few that you do like and enjoy them more often. Look for recipes and prepare them different ways so they don't become dull and boring.
Look up some recipes for cauliflower and kale chips. Low carbers have discovered tons of things you can do with cauliflower, like make a pizza crust out of it. You can also bake items like kale and spinach and make a crunchy snack if you enjoy snacking on things like chips.
Don't give up or use this excuse because you think you hate something. Start looking for new recipes that are good substitutes for you favorite high-fat and high calorie snack items. Learn different ways you can prepare vegetables you do like. This can also be a fun way to kick that excuse out the door, especially if you love cooking and trying new things.
Excuse #5 - I'm big because of heredity. Okay, there may be some truth to that but you don't have to use that as an excuse. Getting in shape and having better health is more important than looking great. You may have big bones, and your family may carry extra pounds in certain areas of the body, but that's not a good excuse to wreck havoc on your body. There are plenty of people who are over weight by the charts of what's acceptable, but they do work out and they are healthy. Many of them can out last a skinny person in an aerobics class.
Life isn't just about being skinny. It's also about fighting off major health issues like diabetes and heart disease. Stop using your family as an excuse and start getting some physical activity into your routine. Make healthier food choices so you can avoid the health problems that your family may also have. At the very least it can help you not have the severity of health problems that may run in your family.
If you want to lose weight or get in shape, face it, you're going to have to lose your excuses. They do not go together. Stop allowing them from holding you back. Start taking your health into your own hands. You'll not only feel better, if you stick with it and make life-long changes, you will lose weight.