No More Excuses

Who am I?  I'm a full time working mom of a very active 18 month old boy.  I'm a loving wife of five years to a husband with Cerebral Palsy.  When you combine those two sentences you realize I'm a busy person.  My typical work week consists of getting up to get ready for work around 6:20 every morning.  I say 6:20 because sometimes I hit the snooze button one too many times.  I'm out of the house by 7:30.  That means I shower, get dressed, blow dry my hair, put my make-up on, cook my breakfast and put the dog in the backyard for the day all within the hour.

I typically leave work around 5:00 and head straight to the gym for my workout.  I'm there around an hour four days a week.  I'm currently lifting weights Monday and Wednesday and running Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.  That's a busy schedule.  It's a sacrifice but it's also my "me time".  And if it something interferes I get upset.  Almost like a spoiled little brat.  I have to have this time in order to maintain my sanity.  At home, I'm the primary care provider for my son.  My husband can't help in all the ways most fathers help with their children.  Even when I'm sick I'm changing diapers, bathing my son and feeding him.  My husband can cook.  In fact, he's a way better cook than me but unless I want my son standing at the dining room table instead of sitting in his high chair, you guessed it.  That's my job.

It's gotten easier as my son has gotten older.  Having a mobile child has really relieved the stress of having a kid.  That also means he was over a year old before I started getting into shape but good things come to those who wait, right?  Haha!  (But it always makes me think twice about having a second one.)

Healthy eating, on the other hand, is harder when two of the three people in the house could care less about losing weight.  Or getting into shape.  Luckily, these two aren't real picky but that doesn't help the one person in the house that sort of is.  I'm my own worst enemy here.  But I'm working on it.  ...Sort of...

The point is, you need to stop making excuses for why you can't make a lifestyle change.  If I can do it, you can do it.  Don't feel bad for taking time out of your busy schedule for yourself.  Exercise has a ton of benefits other than weight loss.

• Builds strong bone, muscles and joints
• Boosts your immune system
• Reverses the effects of stress
• Eases symptoms of depression
• Improves learning
• May keep Alzheimer's at bay
• Better night's sleep
• Better sex life (yes I went there)

These are just a few of the lesser known side effects of exercise.  Today is the day to make a change in your life.  If you keep telling yourself "I'll start next week",  "I'll start after [insert holiday of choice here]" or any other procrastinating phrase you can think of, you are only hurting yourself.  Today is the day to start.  Today is when you take ownership of your health.  Today is the day to stop making excuses.  

The only time you can use tomorrow is if you fall off the wagon today.  Each day is a new day.  We aren't perfect and we aren't always strong.  If you look at my calorie chart for the week on my Lose It! profile you'll see I'm talking about myself too.  Make the decision to take control of your health today.  No more excuses.