STOP THE EXCUSES

I've posted about this topic before. And I read a blog somewhere else about excuses--excuses for not doing this or not doing that. Specifically, mine (and the other) was geared towards weight loss, but people do make excuses for anything and everything.

I am part of a yahoo group called After Baby Weightloss. It's for women that are trying to lose weight after the birth of a child. When I joined, they had a 5 week Challenge in place--try to lose 5 lbs in 5 weeks. I'm not sure when I joined, but I think it was in August/September. Anyway, one person has succeeded--ONCE. The trend is that people are losing 2 lbs--IN FIVE WEEKS. Some are gaining. I am not criticizing them because I am very much one of them. Wouldn't you expect to see weight loss happening in a weight loss group? I understand some people go there for support and tips. But isn't the purpose to lose weight? I mean, it's kind of like being in a Save The World Group and discussing ways to save the world, but never going out and doing it. Anyway, in order to get this group moving, I went out and made a small purchase for the next Challenge. The person that goes above and beyond the 5 lbs wins! I hope I can motivate these ladies into actually losing weight. I have weight to lose too. But that's not the point. The point is to get this WEIGHT LOSS group to lose weight.

When I was making the announcement, I had mentioned that the holidays have passed and it's time to get back on track. This opened a door in my head and I wanted to post my thoughts on the holidays and excuses.

How many times have you heard people say "I gained weight over the holidays. I just couldn't say no to all that food." Why is it that people let the holidays consume them and they think they somehow have the liberty to pig out and gain weight (when they're trying to gain weight)? I've noticed it's the one time of year people put weight on. And the one time of year people seem to be okay with it because after all, "It's the holidays!" Why can't people be smart about it. If you want to eat apple pie, DO IT. But eat a sliver of it instead of 2 HUGE pieces. If you know you have a huge dinner to attend, reduce your calories (or points or whatever method you use) throughout the rest of the day. Say no to some of the dishes, or, if you must eat EVERYTHING, have a small amount of each. OR, as a final resort, if you MUST eat three helpings of each dish, then compensate by working out. I personally think this is stupid. There should be no reason in the world that we gorge ourselves during the holidays. It's only food. If I made the same meal once a month would you pig out? I think that people hear the word 'holidays' and immediately associate it with food then can have the excuse to over eat. Also, I know the holidays are busy times but people use this as an excuse to not work out. "Oh, I was so busy shopping." Well you know what, if you have time to watch TV, or take a nap, or get on the net, you can work out. It's all about having the desire to do so and prioritizing your schedule.

People need to STOP making excuses. If you want to eat like a horse on the holidays, whatever. But don't think that just because its "The Holidays" that you have a license to overeat. And don't bitch to others about it when you do gain weight over the holidays. Take responsibility for your actions. YOU chose to eat all that food. No one force fed you. So stop complaining. Also, don't blame holiday things for not working out. You could've got up early, or eliminated something else in order to work out. Step up to the plate, take responsibility, and say "You know what, I just didn't want to work out."

You may read this and think it's kind of like the pot calling the kettle black. But I don't see it that way. I KNOW I have excuses. I know I didn't work out, but I also know I didn't overeat. This blog serves as a lesson to others AND to myself---just stop making excuses. Shit or get off the pot. If you're not going to do something, fine, but QUIT coming up with the reasons you didn't do it.