No Excuses By Desiree Summers
I can speak on the topic of excuses because I’m the queen of excuses. It’s the truth. I have three children under the age of eight…and as much as they whine, I do too!
Of course, it’s all relative. Some days I’m a powerhouse of motivation and optimism. But other days…oh, other days I wiggle and squirm to find some ounce of reason to justify making the wrong decision! And, admittedly, after the births of my children I was inventive and creative with my excuses for immobility. The couch was such a comfortable spot to sit, sulk, and say, “Oh poor, pitiful, little Desiree. You just had a baby. It’s okay to be 900 pounds!”
But eventually even the most stubborn of us become aware that our excuses are just that—excuses. Reasons to hide or shy away from areas of our lives that may take extra work. I remember the day I finally looked in the mirror after weeks of hibernation, saw the looming double chin, and said, “Desiree, go do something. You can’t live like this.” I think every person reaches a point in his or her life where a call for change comes knocking on the door. Eventually you realize that if you don’t take care of yourself, who will?
All it takes to get your life back on track is a little bit of time, energy, and—most importantly—a change in attitude. You have to admit that you can be healthier, and you must believe in yourself and your goals.
No more excuses, ladies! Make yourself and your health a priority. You have time to work out. At the end of the day when you plop down on the couch and find the time to watch Desperate Housewives, American Idol, and Survivor, you could actually be increasing your energy by working out. (I’m not lying to you, ladies. It’s a proven fact that working out increases your energy.). So I say Oprah can wait. Get off that couch, set TiVo to record the show, and go for a walk. Or do weights, sit-ups (I recommend doing an abdominal workout every other day), or lunges while you watch.
Come on! All of us have to start somewhere, so it might as well be today. Stop being discouraged with your body and health, and start being your own encourager.
(Please consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.) First spend a few minutes stretching. Flexibility is so crucial to an exercise program because it decreases the risk of soreness and injury, and reduces stress in muscles. Start off slowly, and work your way up through your routine.
Depending on your fitness level, you might need to decrease or increase the frequency, intensity level, and time of the routine. This is a basic outline that anyone can do. The workout isn’t written in stone; it’s targeted at increasing your heart rate and working those muscles. Feel the burn!
Start slow, and see the changes physically and mentally. Every little bit of effort counts. If you’re hesitant to commit to the half-hour workout, try focusing on increasing your movement throughout the day. Park a little bit further from the shopping center, walk around the mall, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Then work your way up to maximize the frequency, intensity, and length of your routine. If the queen of excuses can do it, there’s no reason why you can’t too.
If you need more information you can always email me directly at desiree@vesselfitness.com, I always love hearing from other women just like you.
Tune in to see Desiree Summers and Vessel Fitness, Tuesdays and Thursdays on i-Lifetv.
Of course, it’s all relative. Some days I’m a powerhouse of motivation and optimism. But other days…oh, other days I wiggle and squirm to find some ounce of reason to justify making the wrong decision! And, admittedly, after the births of my children I was inventive and creative with my excuses for immobility. The couch was such a comfortable spot to sit, sulk, and say, “Oh poor, pitiful, little Desiree. You just had a baby. It’s okay to be 900 pounds!”
But eventually even the most stubborn of us become aware that our excuses are just that—excuses. Reasons to hide or shy away from areas of our lives that may take extra work. I remember the day I finally looked in the mirror after weeks of hibernation, saw the looming double chin, and said, “Desiree, go do something. You can’t live like this.” I think every person reaches a point in his or her life where a call for change comes knocking on the door. Eventually you realize that if you don’t take care of yourself, who will?
All it takes to get your life back on track is a little bit of time, energy, and—most importantly—a change in attitude. You have to admit that you can be healthier, and you must believe in yourself and your goals.
No more excuses, ladies! Make yourself and your health a priority. You have time to work out. At the end of the day when you plop down on the couch and find the time to watch Desperate Housewives, American Idol, and Survivor, you could actually be increasing your energy by working out. (I’m not lying to you, ladies. It’s a proven fact that working out increases your energy.). So I say Oprah can wait. Get off that couch, set TiVo to record the show, and go for a walk. Or do weights, sit-ups (I recommend doing an abdominal workout every other day), or lunges while you watch.
Come on! All of us have to start somewhere, so it might as well be today. Stop being discouraged with your body and health, and start being your own encourager.
(Please consult your doctor before beginning any exercise routine.) First spend a few minutes stretching. Flexibility is so crucial to an exercise program because it decreases the risk of soreness and injury, and reduces stress in muscles. Start off slowly, and work your way up through your routine.
Depending on your fitness level, you might need to decrease or increase the frequency, intensity level, and time of the routine. This is a basic outline that anyone can do. The workout isn’t written in stone; it’s targeted at increasing your heart rate and working those muscles. Feel the burn!
Start slow, and see the changes physically and mentally. Every little bit of effort counts. If you’re hesitant to commit to the half-hour workout, try focusing on increasing your movement throughout the day. Park a little bit further from the shopping center, walk around the mall, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Then work your way up to maximize the frequency, intensity, and length of your routine. If the queen of excuses can do it, there’s no reason why you can’t too.
If you need more information you can always email me directly at desiree@vesselfitness.com, I always love hearing from other women just like you.
Tune in to see Desiree Summers and Vessel Fitness, Tuesdays and Thursdays on i-Lifetv.