Sunday, October 14, 2012

No Excuses!

I think I just got a new nickname.  I've never had many, other than always being called "joeblack" as though it were one word.  Growing up, other kids got to be Suzie and Ronnie and Jimmy but I was always joeblack. 

Such is the curse of those named single syllable first names and single syllable last names.  My son tried to fix it by always insisting on being called by his full first name, which is the multi-syllable Nicholas.   That seemed to work until sports, when coaches reduced his name to one word-nickblack.
The new nickname for me seems to be "Excuse Remover."  OK, maybe I should back up. 

I work in a fitness center.  Well, more specifically, I spend most of my work day at a physical therapy clinic (Total Rehabilitation-Cherokee) that is adjacent to a fitness center (BMH Wellness Center at Cherokee).  The two are under the same roof and are separated by only a counter and half wall.
In fact, my "desk" is a stool and a laptop computer that straddles the two.   So someone working out at Cherokee can simply step up to my "desk" and get a consult about their injury or their workout.   Happens all the time.

And since most folks know that health and fitness are very important to me (not to mention my day job), I get stopped regularly for advice on both.  I really don't mind.  I'm actually flattered when folks seek my opinion.  
The usual script is this: "I know you really don't want to be bothered with this, but can I ask you about my knee (or shoulder or exercise program)?"  But really, I don't mind at all.  

So today I was in a conversation just like that about a fellow that felt that he needed to lose 50 pounds.   He didn't really like to diet, his knees kept him from jogging, and his lifestyle might need some tweaks.
So I started removing his excuses.  I think I'm pretty good at it.

Dieting doesn't work for you?  Start by just eliminating fried foods from your diet.   Then maybe look at nothing to eat after dinner.   Reduce size portion and frequency of desserts.   That doesn't sound too hard, does it?
You don't have to make wholesale changes, just changes that you can stick with.   And do them consistently.   No excuses.   And start today.  Unless you've got a special meal scheduled, there's no reason to wait until tomorrow.

Can't run?  Bike, swim, or row.  Don't own a bike, a pool, or a boat?  The bike shop can help, several fitness centers have indoor pools, and rowing machines work great.   Then, you've always got my personal favorite-CrossFit workouts.   You can do those with little or no equipment.  The secret is to find something that you can stick with.
Can't find the time to exercise?   Do you really need a sit-down lunch every day?   Brown bag and exercise through lunch.  If you went to bed on time, you could  get up early enough to exercise before work/school/your normal day.   Don't wait until the end of the day--it's too easy to find...yep, you guessed it...EXCUSES!

Don't know what exercise would work for you or don't know the equipment?  Every gym in town has personal trainers that can help you with that.  Don't want to go to a gym?  Google up workout advice. 
I know a lot of people who are very healthy, that have found the formula that works for them.   Somewhere along the way, they stopped looking for excuses and started doing the right things.  Things that would lead them to better health and help them achieve their personal goals.

No excuses.

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