Here’s the thing I am most frustrated about as of late. Excuses. Excuses are overrated.

When we complain about everything on social media, posting the houses you wish you had instead of being thankful for the one you do have, asking for advice but negating any suggestions, and the biggest one at the beginning of the year- weight loss. 

I have so many people tell me they want to lose weight and be fit, but they just don’t have the time to commit to it. Childcare is too expensive. They don’t want to cook three meals for their family every night. There isn’t enough time in the day. 

The Thing About Excuses 

You can make up an excuse to not do anything if you really want to. I could make an excuse everyday to not go into work if I wanted to, but guess what? I don’t. Instead I get up and go to work even though I know it might be a rough day with students. Or I may have to deal with a staff member I am not fond of. I go to work because if I’m really honest with myself, I love what I do and it helps that I have adult things on my plate like I need to pay a mortgage. 

It’s the same concept as taking care of your body. It’s important to make it a priority if you want to be around long enough to see your kids graduate from high school and college, get married, have their own kids. If you don’t have kids, maybe you want to be around long enough to retire and travel and learn new hobbies in your old age? 

I get up and I work out because it makes me a better human. I fuel my body with good things so I can have the energy I need to make it through the day and not have a sugar crash later. Is it a lot of work? Yes. But for me it’s worth it to feel good in my own skin and have my anxieties calmed before the day starts. 

Am I perfect at it? Nope. 

I missed two early morning workouts this week. I am doing what I can to not beat myself up about it. Instead I resolve to hit the goal the next day. However, because I am fueling my body with healthy, whole foods I know I am still doing good things for my body even when I miss the workout. Sometimes it’s hard to wake up early and get it done. On those days I know my body is telling me I need to listen to something else that might be weighing me down. I may very well need rest. 

The idea of it’s too much work to do any of the prep, find the time to work out, get my kids (and let’s be honest, husbands too) to eat the food I make… I get that. Here’s the thing though, you are the parent and cook so you get to make the decisions. 

There are so many meal plans that are premade with recipes and grocery lists, so all you have to do is print and go. I spent a solid two and a half days putting together my meal plan for a Whole30. I even did the weekly grocery list too. Guess what? I stuck to my diet better than I ever have because I took the time to put it all together. 

I prepped as many meals for the week as I could. Was I in the kitchen a good chunk of the day? Yep. This meant that during the week I wasn’t scrambling to get meals made when I got home from work and I could have some time with my family before dinner. Meal prep is key. (Beakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks.)

Excuse 1: “My family doesn’t like that stuff” 

I am a strong believer that I am not a short-order cook. If you don’t want to eat what I cook, make your own dinner or go hungry. I know this sounds harsh especially if you have little-little kids. I find dinners with things I know they will at least try. When I do a Whole30, I will make sides for them I know they will eat. For example, if we are having something we normally eat with rice I will make them regular rice and go for cauliflower rice myself. I don’t mind making an extra side for them, but I refuse to make a separate main course. 

Excuse 2:“The gym is too expensive/far.”

Working out doesn’t have to be at a gym. I live in Colorado. Are there beautiful days outside where you live too? Go outside on the nice days for a walk or run. I have done park workouts where I bring my weights in the stroller while the girls play. There are at home workout videos for FREE on Youtube. There are paid programs for at home as well. Personally, I have grown to like at home workouts over time because I am not as self conscious as I am when I am at the gym. 

Some gyms have childcare and that is a great option, but you have to use it if you are going to pay for it. We have to stop using our kids as an excuse to not use what we pay for. They watch us. They are learning from the things we do and don’t do.

Excuse 3: “I don’t have the time” 

You make the time for things that are important to you. There is such an emphasis on self-care and taking time for you to recharge these days, doesn’t this fall into that category? Sometimes the recharge is what you’re fueling your body with and how you’re moving it. Start taking self care seriously – it’s not all TV time and chill.

My days that I go for a run around the lake or through the neighborhood is self-care and self-love. Those 30-40 mins of music blasting and feet pounding the pavement is me taking out all of the anxieties my brain gives me throughout the week. It’s me coming back into the house with a smile on my face. Ready to be fully engaged with my husband and my kids. Health and fitness is part of self-care. (So are bubble baths and a glass of wine, just do what you need in the moment, but do so responsibly). 

_{The opinions expressed in this article are solely those of the writer and do not necessarily represent those of The We Spot, it’s employees, sponsors, or affiliates.}