Commentary - So…What’s your excuse?

  • Published
  • By Bill Goins
  • 8th Medical Operations Squadron
KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea --  I recently took my bicycle up to the demilitarized zone and rode it all the way down to Busan, which is about 300 miles.

Those more than 16 hours on the bike gave me a lot of time to think. While some of the time was spent thinking about how I was going to sew a little more padding onto my bike seat when I got home, I also spent quite a bit of time considering how we tend to be great at making excuses for why we can't achieve those health and fitness goals that we "renew" every January.

Well, 2012 is upon us...so, what's your excuse going to be this year? Or, will this be the year that you stop letting the excuses slow you down?

There are hurdles we all must overcome in order to make regular exercise a part of our lifestyle. I deal with the same hurdles everyone else deals with...and then some. I used to be more than 300 pounds. I have had multiple knee surgeries, shoulder surgery, and a history of back problems. But I have had some goals in life like competing in Ironman triathlons, marathons, and riding my bike the length of South Korea to mention a few, and I refuse to let excuses stop me from experiencing the journey to reaching these goals.

While I would love to say the answer is "Just Do It!", some people really aren't sure how to overcome these mental and physical hurdles and, as we have all experienced, it is a lot easier to just stay on the sofa and let somebody else "Just Do It!"

The hurdles are never going to go away. And some of us may even be faced with additional hurdles as we go through life. Excellent case in point: Brett Wolfe, a one-legged mountain bike racer; or Scott Rigsby, the first double amputee to complete the Ironman Triathlon World Championship.

Below are some very common obstacles we all face. As you begin to plan those resolutions again, keep these common obstacles in mind and don't allow them to become excuses. Face them with a plan already in place and you'll be able to clear those hurdles.

Excuse: "I don't have time." Fitting exercise into a busy schedule is probably the most common obstacle. Actually, you don't have time not to exercise because it impacts your ability to do everything else more effectively.
Solution: Schedule it! Work out at the same time each day and you are more likely to adopt exercise as a part of a routine. Many people who exercise regularly find mornings work best for them. The stress and happenings of the day can tend to cause you to want to skip your workout later in the day. Also, get out of the box! Your workout does not have to take one or two hours at the gym. If you only have 30 minutes... then follow a 30 minute workout. Too many people decide that because they only have 30 minutes and they can't do their normal one hour workout... they just won't workout at all. A 30 minute workout is better than no workout.

Excuse: "I don't like to exercise." Remind yourself of the many benefits of exercise. Also, lower your expectations - does exercise always have to be fun before you'll do it? Exercise is not always going to be fun, but the more consistent you are, the more improvement you'll see, and the more fun it will become.
Solution: Cross train! Choose new activities or alternate your workout routines. Change the routes you run, get some new music to listen to, workout with a friend, or find a new class to try. We all struggle at one time or another. Working through those times and identifying new motivators for yourself will help you in the long run.

Excuse: "I'm too tired." Regular workouts increase energy, allowing you to do more and be more efficient at all your daily tasks. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins that supply your body with an increase in energy throughout the day.
Solution: Adjust your schedule and commit to being consistent for those first few weeks...no matter what. Motivation to exercise is often higher in the morning than in the evening. A glass of juice (not a Snickers) can give you a nice boost of energy for a more affective workout. Because exercise provides you with an energy boost, you may find that your productivity level rises after your workout.

Excuse: "I tried that before and it did not work for me." Whether due to injury or lack of progress or motivation, nearly everyone temporarily quits at some time or has setbacks with their fitness goals.
Solution: On this one I will say.... "Just Do It!" We all feel discouraged at some time or another with our exercise. Figure out why you quit and resolve the problem so that you can avoid it in the future. Don't be self-critical. When you are working out, people are not paying attention to how you look or how much you are lifting. You are exercising for you, not for everyone else at the gym. Don't give up!

Obstacles come in all forms: sometimes the way you feel, sometimes from other people, sometimes the demands on your time. The bottom line, however, is that you should not allow these to become excuses for why you don't exercise. You have control over the decision to find a way to make exercise and healthy choices a part of your daily routine. Make the right choices and do the right things. You can get past any obstacle. You may just surprise yourself in 2012.

For additional guidance, please see one of your unit physical training leaders or give the HAWC a call at 782-4305.