I cringe every time I hear an unhealthy, obese friend or family member soliciting me for advice, spit these words out at me when with empathy, I am sincerely trying to offer them help, sound education and advice.

This is no different than saying “well, let me put ONE tire on the car and see how far I can get and then I will put on the other 3 later”. And the excuse that one doesn’t have the time to workout is just the grown up version of “the dog ate my homework”. We all have 2 or maybe 3 hours per week to get active. Many spend that each night in front of a TV, it’s just a lame and untrue excuse.

Our Microwave World

It seems as though everyone has this wishful thinking that we can somehow avoid or dance around what I call the wheel of success. This wheel consists of the things we know deep down are true: Exercise consisting of resistance training 2-4/week, Cardio 3-5/week, good nutrition 6-7 days/week (or <80-90% of the time) and when attention needed, hormonal balancing.

We are sold on false hope everyday in the media and those popular daytime doctor shows on miracle pills where most have very selective hearing and only hear that they can just take this pill and somehow this miraculous change in their body is going to occur. I find it sad that so many have come to me requesting these products while I insist on instead, asking questions so I can try and help them best I can with their interests and concerns via other, more legit (and effective) means.  Most of course, are not willing nor incorporating any or very little physical activity and the eating habits verbally displayed are horrible. It amazes me how many will not even entertain the thought of a good quality multi vitamin, some nutrition bars or snacks first instead of that magic pill they want.

Real Effort Is Needed To Be Put Forth

When it comes to building our body (or shaping it, etc), you need to develop a base foundation FIRST before any real success can come from these specialty pills and powders that we see on the shelves. A lot of these extreme diets don’t work long term either. People who buy into all this non sense are avoiding the truth. Nothing in life comes for free so just embrace that fact that better health, fitness and well being comes from good nutrition and physical activity on a regular basis. The sooner we can accept that, the quicker we can progress on a path to being a better and healthier person.

When I say physical activity, walking doesn’t count for much – although its a great start for some who are 100% sedentary to begin with. Most of us sit on our ass for at least 8 hours a day so we need more than just a walk. We should be walking all day in the first place. To say you’ve been exercising when you really mean you have been walking a measly quarter mile a day or every other day at a snail’s pace is a cop out excuse – this isn’t effective exercise.

Our excuses for being out-of-shape are getting old. An excuse takes less immediate effort than an action, but in the long run the action taker always has the advantage. Don’t allow excuses to ruin your life any longer.

• Don’t skip out on your responsibilities with excuses, instead expect more from yourself.
• Focus on the big reason why you are losing the weight. Make a list of the benefits you’ll enjoy once you achieve your goal, and read them first thing each morning.
• Remember that you can only have two things in life: excuses or results. Which do you want?

Tomorrow Is A New Beginning

Contact me today for your first workout and consultation to move towards a better and healthier you. Together with your effort and a little work ethic and my background and experience, we can tackle 2014 with a winning game plan!

Happy New Year,

-Roger