So....What's YOUR Excuse???

Ok, I came across this topic on another message board and thought it was a great idea.  But, really wasn't sure if it was something that I wanted to bring here.  UNTIL......... Anyone who has a child knows that they have an excuse for everything.  I can ask my son (teenager, age 17) who is home all day by himself to do HIS laundry.  And when i see that it wasn't done, I get an excuse - I was tired....I didn't have time....I had to be at work at 200....I just do not understand. It's one excuse after another to expalin why he was irresponsible.  Well, the latest is his eating and physical activity habits.  He wants to lose 20 pounds before school starts and plus he wants to get in shape because he will be doing physical training 3 days a week in college, so he wanted to be prepared for it.  Ok...no problem.  I can help him with this. The problem is I can help him, but he cannot help himself.  He has an excuse for not working out (no time), and an excuse for not eating right (it's all my fault that he went to 7-11 at midnight and bought 2 chili cheese hot dogs and a Monster drink).  Again...one excuse after another. Well....then I come to work.  There is a gal that I work with who is 4 years out, has gained 55 pounds and really wants to get back on track.  COOL!  We can work together.  Nope...she has one excuse after another for not doing what she is suppose to.  So...this got me to thinking.  We seem to have one excuse after another as to why we are not doing what we are suppose to.  I am equally guilty of this.  I have my moments like everyone else. But, the question is WHY?????  Why do we make excuses for not being responsible to ourselves.  Why do we allow these excuses to become a part of our lives?  What are MY excuses for my irresponsibility???  Are my excuses justified or are they just lame excuses?  Are they chronic or once in a while situations?  Is there a way around my excuses (ie:  proper planning)?  Am I living behind my excuse?? Excuses are obstacles in the way towards our success.   Just a thought for today..........

great post jill!  Just the reasons I made plans with a friend to go to the gym today (after work at preschool), so we both have NO EXCUSES!  thanks jill!  lys

Thanks!  I swear I have heard MORE excuses about everything this week that could last me a lifetime.  It's almost overwhelming when you recognize that you are hearing so many of them. Goo dplan to buddy up with the exercise.  Exercising with a friend is a great motivation and way to be committed. ROCK ON!

hijack!  Love the new avatar!

Once again, Great Post!!! Sad to say though, I am, one of many, that have many, many excuses. And yes, even after WLS. I have been spending alot of time, though, thinking about this and what excuses I make, and why I make them but most importantly, what I can do to stop this. I want so bad to have accountability so... I came up with the idea. I have made a "to do list", for the immediate future as well as the extended future and every day, I read this, and do what I can on the list to accomplish things or do what I can to getting closer to accomplishment. Also, each night, before I go to bed, I make a menu for the next day, with my breakfast, lunch dinner & the snacks in between. I follow it almost perfectly, making substitutes only if I have too. I have also designated certain work out days and what my exercise will be for that day. In the week I have been doing this, I have not strayed, nor made excuses. I am very proud of my responsibility and the fact that excuses are few and far between now. Thanks so much for all your advice and insight. I respect it, and value it, more than I can express.

That's GREAT!  Like you, I am a planner and have found it to be very helpful.  And, let me say...it really does work.  I plan my workouts for the month and only deviate if I have to, I plan my meals in advance.  Trying to go back to the weekly plan, but right now, daily is working for me (the day before). Accountability is also a great tool.  We seem to only want to be accountable when we are successful, but in reality, we need to always be accountable.  And just think of all of the lessons we learn when we are accountable.   I'm not perfect and will never claim to be.  But, I can honestly say that when i am accountable to myself that I learn from my mistake.  Does that mean that I won't make it again?  No...but it makes me conscience of it for the future. Glad you enjoyed the topic. 

great job, Theresa! I know that you've been working super hard - I'm super proud of you!

Awww thanks so much. I absolutely LOVE and NEED the support from all of ya'll. It really means alot. I can't wait for our lunch date! And OMG look at your ticker. Your day will be here in less than a week! I can not wait to welcome you to the other side. Yay!

I swear, Jill, you are not lying! That is so the truth. Were you thinking about me when you wrote this?

Even as I'm making excuses, I know that they're nothing but excuses and I feel terrible about it. I'm thinking of all the arguments that an "accountability partner" would use to show me what I could do better. I am TIRED of being a person with an excuse for everything! I do NOT want to be one of those people! But many times I still am............... *sigh* So what's my excuse for that?

When I read this, I was thinking of excuses for not exercising, which I am plenty good at. But I'm also really good at thinking of excuses for not eating what I'm supposed to - I sure do have an awful lot of "special occasions" in my life!

So......what to do? Well, I'm going to start with your question - Is this excuse justified or is it a lame excuse? (Justified excuse - I didn't exercise because I was really sick, stayed home from work, and couldn't get off the couch all day. Lame excuses - I couldn't leave for the gym because my favorite show was on, I couldn't get a lane in the pool, It was too hot to walk outside, I was grumpy, The gym is too far away) And then I'm going to remember that I am NOT lame, I'm a cool, happening chick

We'll see...........I may not be able to do this because I might forget, or I might be too busy, or something else important may come up.............

Excuses are really easy to come up with.  I find that even though I enjoy my workouts, I can find a million reasons why I cannot do one.  Everything from I need to cook dinner, I ate too late so I cannot workout on a full stomach, the dog needs my attention, my shoes are too tight, I need to read the mail, I'm tired, I can't find my Ipod, I need to wash the car (yep...I've actually used that one),on and on.  It's really easy to become lazy.  especially when you have worked all week and want to just curl up with a good book. BUT...when I'm in one of those moods, then I say that I have to do 10 minutes.  And if I still feel the same way, then I give myself permission to take the night off.  Many times, if I get through the frst 10 minutes, then I do the full workout.  But sometimes it's a struggle. I have a heck of a sweet tooth and if not careful can work around my pouch.  Sometimes excuses can enter in this area: I worked my rear off....I deserve to enjoy something sweet.  Or...it's a special occasion...or I really do not feel like cooking - let's eat out.  This is when I have to be the most conscience, because I could really undo my positive, and it's so easy to nibble mindlessly.  I've really had to change my thought that just because I worked hard, I do not need to reward myself with food and this is where the aweful habits can come back in. I like that you are going to ask yourself that question.  Cause you are a Super Cool chick....Not a Lame A*S! Are you coming to Jackie's this weekend?