Deciding to get fit is not hard and even taking the first steps towards that end is not any harder – but committing to the plan is where the challenge is. What has been holding you back? No time? No money? Don’t know how to start?
Excuse 1 “I don’t have time”
Here is good news for you; a life changing fitness program takes no longer than 4 hours per week – that is it. Can’t squeeze an hour workout in with a 40-minute to and from drive to a gym? There is an answer for that, working out at home and taking advantage of even 3 – 10 minute active sessions throught the day. A future chapter will discuss a basic workout plan you can do just about anywhere including putting together your own home gym inexpensively.
Excuse 2 “I can’t afford healthy foods”
There is a misconception that fresh fruits and vegetables are out of budget. But many fresh fruits and vegetables are multi-serving and can span 2 or 3 meals bringing the cost per serving down. Whole grain products are often on sale at prices comparable to their processed and refined counter parts. I used to spend about $26.00 per meal feeding my family of 6 at a fast food restaurant. For that same $26.00 I can get not only enough healthy options for 1 meal but it will also contribute to other meals as well bringing my overall grocery budget in line with what my grocery budget plus dining budget was, not to mention the $2 – $3 I spent at work in the vending machines. I actually found I saved money overall and had more flexibility in my food budget.
Excuse 3 “I don’t know how to start or what to do”
This one always makes me laugh because I will typically ask a person – what could you change about your eating. The typical responses I get is quit the super value meals, drinking so much pop and eat more fresh fruits and veggies. When I ask about exercise I hear quit sitting in front of the TV and go do something, maybe go to the gym or just do something active.
My point is most people know what they have to do to get started. When I started I knew to knock off the soda, stop hitting the drive-thru 2,3 or 4 times a day and eat more fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grain products and lean meats. I knew I needed to exercise so I went to the fitness area where I work and I got on the stationary bike, did the treadmill, tried out the weight machine they had and I started taking the stairs and not the elevator that got me started.
Once I started I knew I needed a workout plan. I searched the internet, went to the bookstore, picked up a few magazines and I learned there are more workout plans and instructional materials out there to help me meet a goal of losing my body fat. Now I had to sort through it all and choose one. Thank God for an Internet discussion board that I happened up. I found people who had succeeded with a program called Body-for-LIFE for Bill Phillips and I thought if they could do then so could I.
Getting started was that simple, but in all honesty those excuses I listed above were mine as well for years.
It all comes down to stop making excuses and start making the choices that need to be made to take ownership of your health and become a more Alive and Fit you!
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