Task 2 - Get Real - No More Excuses - JFDI

Well, what a stressful few days this has been but I'm determined to learn the steps to not listen to the excuses and find the time I need to complete the tasks I have to finish before Round 1 begins.

Michelle asks us to take full responsibility for ourselves, our bodies and how we think. Hmmm...not sure how to do all of that but I think I'm beginning to get a glimmer at what's involved. You see, I've only just started to mention to friends, family and workmates that I've joined this program and it has been interesting to hear the comments (both negative and positive).

My husband was the first to mention my joining this program on Facebook. I was surprised by his statement on Facebook but felt his support tremendously when he wrote how proud he was of me. His support has helped me a lot over the last few months to deal with my insecurities about my weight.

However, some of my work colleagues and friends have been not as supportive saying that it's a waste of money or time to do any of this program; or even saying that they can do all of this on their own so why should they join something like this. Well, oddly enough almost all of the people who commented negatively all have weight issues, maybe not as extreme as mine but they all make their own excuses why they are the way they are.

Ever since having watched Michelle's video and read the information in Task 2 I've heard so many excuses from many people. I never realised just how many there were and how often people made them! And now I'm seeing how I'm making the excuses not to exercise, not to eat right, not to put the effort into making things work so that I can be healthier.

So, with all that being said...I'm laying myself on the line here by posting my excuses on here...but I have to...I need to...

These are my internal excuses - ones that I know I've been telling myself

1. I'm unfit, I just can't work out like everyone elseI have back problems
2. I don't have time - I commute 3 hours every day and work full time
3. I am too tired when I get home
4. I need to cook dinner when I get home before it's too late
5. I'm scared of failing - I don't want people to judge me because I've had a momentary lapse in my eating habits or by not exercising
6. I'm scared of everyone finding out I'm a failure
7. I'm scared I won't be good enough for anyone
8. I'm scared of finding out I'm not such a good person even when I'm thin and healthy

Most of those are really frightening to admit, to be honest all of them are frightening to admit but I'm laying them out there for everyone to trample on because that's what those excuses deserve!

And here are my responses to them!

1. I'm unfit because I haven't even started to exercise in any way shape or form. Just by going out for a walk 30 minutes every day will help improve my health and then I can do more and more each week. No excuses - JFDI
2. I have exercises that will help build strength in my back and protect my back muscles - I only need 15 minutes every day to do them. No excuses - JFDI
3. If I have time to watch TV, I have time to exercise. If I have time to log onto Facebook for more than 5 minutes, I have time to exercise. I can record my shows and watch them while walking (and eventually running) on the treadmill. No excuses - JFDI
4. I'm tired because I'm not doing any exercise. I know that even doing a little bit of exercise gives me more energy and makes me feel better, so why not walk around the block one more time or get off my butt to do some squats or fit ball wall presses while waiting for the veggies to cook in the steamer. No excuses - JFDI
5. Why not prepare my meals in advance, or prepare everything in the morning before going into work? I can probably chop or even cook some of it before heading into work so that I spend less time in the kitchen in the evening. I can prepare more food from the night before for lunches or even the next evening's meal. No excuses - JFDI
6. 7. 8. and 9. These are really big excuses and ones I have never wanted to admit to anyone, let alone myself. I always strive for people to accept me, both in my work life and in my personal life. I want people to like me and so I'm in constant fear of being rejected. I don't want people to see me as a failure. But I'm not...I have a wonderful husband who loves me and says that it doesn't matter what shape I am but who I am that makes the difference. I have respect from work colleagues and family about the type of person I am and have become. Imagine the respect for me they will have when I become a better person, not only on the outside but on the inside for learning to trust myself and believe in myself.

These are my external excuses - ones that I can control yet find ways to believe in them

1. I don't have enough money to spend on personal trainers or by going to the gym
2. I don't like exercising in the cold, rain or heat
3. I need to look after my husband first
4. I work long hours sometimes
5. I hardly have a social life now, let alone spend more time on exercise
6. My stepchildren cause a lot of stress for my husband and I, and I don't want to leave him alone when he's stressed.

And here are my responses to them!

1. I don't need money to exercise - I have DVDs, a bicycle, a treadmill, an elliptical machine, a fit ball, a weight bench, free weights etc. No excuses - JFD one of them for 30 minutes
2. If it's cold - wear more clothes while riding your bike outside and wear gloves; if it's raining - walk/run on the treadmill or work out to a DVD; if it's hot outside - bring a water bottle, wear a hat, bring a towel to wipe up the sweat I know I will perspire. No excuses - JFDI
3. My husband can look after himself for an hour every day. He needs me to be healthy and fit so I can look after him. If I'm sick, he worries; if I'm unable to keep up with him, he'll leave me behind. If I'm not happy, then he won't be happy. No excuses - JFDI
4. Working long hours doesn't mean I'm working 24 hours a day. I will always have time in the morning to jump on the treadmill or do a few sit-ups while the bathroom is occupied; or how about preparing the dinner the night before so I can spend that hour working out. No excuses - JFDI
5. Hmmm....I've begun to realise over the last few days that my social life has increased already, just by joining 12WBT! I have more friends online and more that I have met last weekend, with many more to meet over the next coming weeks as we work out together, supporting each other through our weight loss. I have plans now to do things weeks, months in advance and I never had that before. No excuses - JFDI
6. My stepchildren are grown adults and even though we need to be there for them (and always will be), they need to learn to fend for themselves, learn to live their lives not on the coattails of their parents. Also, my husband is strong and can deal with any problems met. I've seen it time and time again that he has the ability to do this. Yes, he needs me to support him during those rough patches, but he is more than able to meet the demands of having children. Plus, even if I'm out on my bicycle, or on the treadmill - I'm only a phone call away and can come straight back when needed. No excuses - JFDI

These are my external excuses - ones that I can't control but need to acknowledge may arise

1. My husband becomes ill
2. My stepchildren or grandchildren have a crisis or become very ill

Unfortunately, there isn't much that can be done with those, however I need to learn the habit when I'm stressed and am either searching in the fridge or pantry for food, to find something useful to do - clean the kitchen - go for a walk - vacuum - exercise. Learning new ways of expressing my anxiety or fear by doing something physical (exercising or cleaning) or reaching out for support from friends and family, will best serve me in the long run.

So what I have learned from all of this?

I've learned that my excuses are hollow - they have no foundation to stand on and will collapse as soon as I put any pressure to them.

I've learned that I've barricaded myself behind these excuses because I'm afraid - but my fears are unfounded.

I've learned that I can find time each day to do even 10 minutes of exercise.

I've learned to JFDI