Excuses - What are yours?

1) Can't do my fit tv because my 3 yr old climbs all over me.
2) It's cold (overcast) outside to walk this morning.
3) Have to watch my soaps during her nap. (My me time.
4) Can't do my jog in place because my calf's are always sore the next day.

Right now, it's that I'm on holiday!

I have stopped using the well, I exercised so I can eat more excuse. It doesn't work. I also am often feeling too busy to track my meals. My latest excuse was it was my birthday, which led to 3 deserts for 3 days. I won't have that one until my birthday returns. I am trying to stay on track but I will be going out of town, (excuse number 4).

Trying a pedometer since I'll be out of town and can't do my normal workout routine of aerobics (like Jazzercise). I found that 1 hour of aerobics class completed about 5,000 steps but the next day when we do floor exercise only got about 3,000 steps. So my excuse for being under steps that day was floor exercises!

Wow. It's like you all are reading my mind. I've used most of those excuses. Two more (silly) ones:

My husband is overweight, but losing pounds. If I keep a few extra pounds around, we'll match.

I've already had a sugary cereal for breakfast, so tracking today is shot. Might as well eat a pound of Gouda and be ready to get back on track tomorrow.

Yep, laziness. I have to train for an 8K run, and I've been out a couple of times this week running. The momentum has died.

1. I don't have the time
2. I have five kids under 8.
3. There is too much do be done.
4. I don't need to lose weight.
5. I'm too tired.
Funny, thing is I got up early today before everyone else and went to the store, exercised and showered before I had to take care of anyone else, feels pretty good to finally be taking care of me for a change!

Edited by: LANZBELLE at: 5/25/2010 (11:18)

My excuse? I'm just flat out lazy.

To busy and tired!

My excuses lets see I have a few

1-my clothes still fit
2-I will do it first thing in the morning
3-Im tired
4-Im too hungry
5-Im alone and need a work-out buddy

And and

Once I started thinking about it I realised how many I have - yuk!

1. I don't really NEED to lose weight (justification for greed)
2. I'm too tired
3. I'm late from work already
4. I think I might be getting a cold
5. I'll work harder tomorrow
6. I'll workout at home instead (excuse for driving straight past the gym)
7. I've had a bad day and just want to go home

Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear!

My excuse is I will work out harder tomorrow or eat less calories tomorrow which doesnt always work. I have a huge problem with self control too! I am good with portion size but want the things that are not good for me:(

LOL...I have a few but my biggest one is "It's just a little bit, it can't hurt" .....for chocolate after a meal. And I am pretty good usually only 2 Lindt chocolate balls after dinner. Sometimes I have 1 after lunch. I also use this excuse as well for a hot tea with sugar and milk.

Excuses.... I have a lot of those. :)

This is my first day here, I'm trying to read a bunch of these posts. I saw someone say they get sick whenever they try to do something healthy. That is me!

I quit smoking 2 months ago and I've never been so sick. I must have been the healthiest smoker alive. So now I keep thinking, "well, I can't run today, I have a cold." I also have convinced myself that not eating potato chips makes me sick.

I also have this problem where some days I think I don't need to loose any weight and other days I know I do. Doesn't change the fact that my clothes don't fit.

Lately, my excuse has been that I had a good workout yesterday, so there's no need to workout today. I can just rest today. But that's such a slippery slope. If I rest today, then I'll find a reason to rest tomorrow and the next day, and the next day, etc.

My most frequent excuses: I look good enough. There's no hurry to lose those last 5 pounds. My husband doesn't want me to get too skinny anyhow.

Reality: my pants will fit a little better, 5 pounds on my height is not going to make a big difference, and I weighed 12 pounds less when I met my husband and he sure liked the way I looked then.

I just ate a pastry that a coworker brought in as a celebration of a promotion. Thanks for giving me the opportunity to think about the excuses I gave as to why:
1. It counts as my morning snack. (Rebuttal: twice the calories and none of the nutrition of an appropriate snack.)
2. She brought it for us, I want to celebrate with her. (Rebuttal: Just tell her congratulations!)
3. I can concentrate better on my work if I am eating. (Rebuttal: What?!?! Drink some water and just do your job!)
Wow!

"
tomorrow, seriously". I love this one. I think I have used it way too much and that has turned into weeks, maybe even months. BUT, today I am back on track.

1. I'm stressed/don't feel well and this piece of cheesecake (or whatever) will make me feel better.
2. I'm already in pain so why exercise and make it worse?

1.Who'll mind the kids?
2.A quick taste (of anything sweet)...before this was about 10 times a day ....such bad snacking habits, water is now my saviour and plenty of fruit in the fruit bowl.
3.Just have to do this first(before exercise)...wash-up, laundry, tidy, cook a meal, go to shops etc and fill it all in around being a working mom.
4. Everyone else is eating cakes/biscuits/fries...so why can't I?
5. I just can't be bothered to do anything ....LAZY COW!

I don't want to go AAALLLLLLL the way down to the basement to workout!!! LOL!!!

my biggest one regarding exercise: i'm just too tired (even though i know for sure i'll feel better afterwards)

my biggest one for eating: i like the one someone said about "oh i'll just finish them off now so that i won't be tempted tomorrow" i use that one A LOT! (i've learned it's just better not to buy "them" whatever the "them" is

i'm sure i have more, but that's all for now!

LOL! Thank you for the clarification! I was trying to figure out how you knew me and how you knew it was one I used! :)

JENNINAUSTIN: oops! I meant your second excuse sounds like one I use.

LOL! What excuse DON'T I have?!

My main one is probably time. Or fake pain. I convince myself that the slight ache in my leg/hip/back will only become worse if I run. Really, a good stretch would get rid of it...

"Just one" is my biggest excuse. And I'll use other people's bad habits to justify mine: everyone else is having three pieces of pizza -- I'm just having one.

To the person with cabin fever: if you have a Netflix subscription, they have lots of "on demand" workouts, if you don't mind exercising in front of your computer. They help spice things up a little.

I CAN'T FIND ANY TIME IN MY SCHEDULE...

JENNINAUSTIN: your 2nd excuse sounds like one you use.

1 - my broken ankle
2 - I'll just eat the chocolate tonight and be good tomorrow.

Another (sort of) excuse is "I can make it up tomorrow."

I have lupus, and I'm trying hard not to use it as an excuse. But usually my excuse is that I'm too tired or I'm in too much pain. I need to learn to suck it up and deal with it

I seem to get sick every time I try to start a new plan too. Odd isn't it?

"It's too cold/snowing/raining" when getting out to run.

"I'm too tired" when trying to prepare healthy foods

"There is too much to do around the house" for almost anything, lol

Did you read my reply to your message on my blog last week?

Many thanks KSIGMA1222! I always appreciate your insight.

Many obstacles will come your way on this journey and many people questioning why you are doing it. All that matters is that you want to do it and what you think about it. As far as what to do for exercise have you looked for some free indoor places to do a fast walk, may take a little longer but you can still get your heart rate up. Try libraries, malls, Super shopping Centers like Wal-Mart, local colleges have big buildings. Also if you live near or have a building with a couple flights of stairs you can use them as well. I know it doesn't sound like fun but mix it up with those places. Also my daughters received a small trampoline a year ago as a present and they play on it but I use it when my wife works late and I cannot get to the gym. They cost about $40 new or look on craigslist or somewhere and pick one up for $10. Also some gyms have free trial periods that can help you make it through the cold season for now.

Hope these help and maybe in the future look into a self defense class or martial arts class to mix it up as well. Get a good cardio workout and learn a thing or two on how to defend yourself.

On the topic of eating, sounds like you may have cabin fever or are just plain bored, so ask yourself am I really hungry or is it something else- anger, stress, boredom and other things lead us to our comfort foods even when they are healthy. Also have a way to distract yourself easily ready so you stop thinking about being hungry but have another way to comfort yourself- just make sure it is a healthy one as well.

Good luck and do this because you want to do it!

SHMOOPYDOO -

Sounds like you are getting bored! I am at the two week mark and I am feeling just like you, ready to give up and go back to "normal" eating and be satisfied at 10 lbs heavier.

But actually reading your message really reminds me of why I decided to do this in the first place. I am extremely "skinny" now compared to what I used to be, but there is no reason I should still have so much extra meat on my butt an thighs when I work this hard!

I keep telling myself that once I lose the last 10 lbs, my body won't desire those extra calories because it won't need it. It is just this short term time that it "hurts" because of the undereating.

So thanks to you, I'm going to stick with it and just tough out this initial weight loss part so I can "relax" 10 lbs lighter!!

Every time I go to the Sahara Mart, a health food store, with my boyfriend, I buy lots of "healthy" stuff. When I get it home I binge on it because I figure it's good stuff my body needs. Then I feel bloated and guilty.
It's winter, so I refuse to do like some crazy joggers I see out braving the cold. I can't afford to join the 24 hour gym this paycheck. My naturally thin boyfriend believes everything Penn & Teller say, and they did an episode about what a waste of money the gym is anyway.
I'm getting bored with the same exercises I like to do in front of the TV. Plus I feel like they're a waste of time since they're not cardio. Why spend the time when it's just going to make me bulk up and be hungrier?
When I bring my diet foods to work with me, people always say, "You don't need to lose any weight!" I just want to lose 10 pounds. I get tired of explaining that I just want to decrease my body fat percentage and get rid of some cellulite. I feel like a broken record. It's easier to avoid the conversation. Just because they're all huge with diabetes and high blood pressure doesn't mean I should feel guilty about wanting to shed a few extra pounds.


Edited by: SHMOOPYDOO at: 2/2/2009 (12:36)

"Im too tired"

"Im sick."

"The kids are sick"

"Tomorrow - seriously - Ill start tomorrow."

"I'll just finish them off so I will no longer be tempted." THIS IS A HUGE ONE WITH ME! DO it all the time! Ack! This one actually may be one of my biggest downfalls!

Time. I dont say Im too busy but . . ."Ill work out as soon as I get the dishwasher done & the laundry. Oh & the toys picked up. Oh - look - just an hour til bed & I need to spend quality time with my husband. . ." or "the kids are finally in the room for naptime, I need to relax with a cup of tea & book. Or just check my email for a minute. . . " BAM! Naptime is over!

"I've had a rough......" Ha ha! I LOVE this excuse too!

Posting your comment and my response here since for some reason I cannot get SparkPeople to let me send you a message or post a comment on your page. Hope you do not mind.

Your comment on my blog posting from my coping and pasting my earlier posting below. (Does this make sense?):

Hey, I really appreciated your comments on my post. It was very helpful. What I even appreciated more was a comment you wrote early on in your blog (11/19/08, I think) where you said that even though you lost weight you still had a body image issue after losing weight.

It took me about a year and a half to shed the self-loathing/"I am fat" thoughts. It was weird, like my brain hadn't caught up with my body yet. What changed it was when I went to a bar (with my husband) and did the usual innocent flirting with the lead singer of the band we were watching. It worked to my total surprise and the band leader wanted my number! I was so embarrassed to lead him on like that and I realized then that I had to change even my personality! Flirting + fat = maybe attention. Flirting + healthy = practically guaranteed attention.

So I see you are still in "Thirty-Somethings with ten to go." Now that you have maintained for awhile, why do you want to lose ten more? Have you plateaued or are you not satisfied yet with how you look?


My response:

Well I joined the 30 something with 10 pounds to lose when I had about that amount or maybe a little less to lose. I just never left the group. To tell you the truth I will always feel like I have another 10 pounds to lose even though my doctor tells me differently. I'm still really not sure what to think of myself. I try to be proud of the way I look and it just feels so unnatural that it goes away as fast as I try. Also not sure if I really am all that to be proud of, Yes I look different and I will say it better than I did but who is to say that I am anything to write home about so to say. I am not a head turner or someone the opposite sex gravitate towards. I am more approachable and I don't make people jump anymore when they see me combined with my height that used to make me look like a huge mass overpowering your view because of my size. Anyway I have in a sense tried my new look out as you have a couple of times just to see if they work with your equations and mine didn't really give me any sense of change. I like you am not looking just wanted to know if the look has them wanting, no real answer. Not a big deal just leaves me confused but healthy.

Wife says I'm bony and she is just not used to me like this since she has always known me as big and/or overweight, nothing for me to see as positive from her as well as far as what she has to say. She is very supportive of my new lifestyle and is a great help in allowing me the time to do what I need to do. Tried to talk to her several about it but never seem to get anywhere and I compliment her all the time. I have to ask her how I look when I get dressed and if it works and she usually says it looks fine or make a suggestion for change.

I think I also had some grand silly dream of her not being able to keep her hands off of me or something like that would happen. Never did, pretty much when she told me I was bony and as you can tell it kinda hurt. Talked to her about it but she did not understand, leaving me confused again.

I'm happier with who I am and do not want to go back to the big me again. Just not all I thought it might be in some ways but great in ways I never thought of so it is all good. Now to figure out which way I want to go with my weight, body and workouts. Stay tuned to find out!

"I'll just finish them off so I will no longer be tempted." Yeah then you just get more and eat them faster without enjoying the taste.

"I don't have time, my life is so busy and stressful!" Life is change we just have to adapt to make it work in always, no excuses!

"Just this once?" This does not mean 3 pieces of cake, that is not once that is thrice. And "Once" implies well once like once in a great while not once a week or month but more like a year.

"I have been so good!" Your good because you want to be healthy and happy, so this cannot be a reason. Just like your healthy lifestyle is your willing choice, so are your unhealthy choices.

"I've had a rough......" Again life is change full of ups and downs, so just like everything else you cannot always see which is coming but you can have ready made plans waiting for the downs especially. Have a plan for something quick, easy and fun to do when you are on a down to help you bounce back, just make sure it is a healthy one that you like or even love doing to help you deal with the stress or whatever is causing the down.

"No one else is doing it!" or "Everyone else is doing it!" They try and say that being overweight is contagious to the fact that if you are around people with bad habits then you are more willing to do them as well and thus you enable each other. Just be different and do what you want to do which is also better for you. Example from another posting was a woman whose office has muffins every Thursday, she grabbed applesauce and had it ready for that day so when the muffins came out she ate her applesauce and felt better for doing it and being prepared.

Just a couple off the top of my head. Like we do with many things, write down your excuses and then figure out a plan of attack so that you are ready to treat them like all excuses, why because excuses are like as.w.oles, everyone has one!

I just wrote a blog post about excuses because although I lost 40 lbs, I've noticed that I've developed a whole new series of excuses that are entirely different from my old excuses.

My old excuses were things like a lack of education (I believed a giant dish of pasta was "healthy"); I also thought I was hurting my knees if I exercised too much.

Now that those are gone, I have new ones. First, I seem to get the flu every time I get really hard core into diet and exercise. Does anyone else have this problem? I never used to get sick before but suddenly I find that I get the flu 5-6 times a year!

My other excuses revolve around my sister. She had steadily gained weight in the last three years and is now 5'3" and over 200 lbs. My issue is that when she first visited me in NY (where I moved) I practically starved her to death, refusing to go to restaurants because I didn't want to pay to make myself fat. After that miserable experience I have told myself that it is okay to gain a few pounds when she visits "for the love of my sister."

Anyway, I've realized this has morphed into an excuse to binge whenever she's around. I would love to hear about what excuses you have because I think it would help me prepare to tackle them when they come up.