From that heart attack hill story onward I know I've sounded all nose to the grindstone, do or die come hell or high water Mrs. Rock-Solid-Motivation.
Well, it wasn't always this way and...
It's not always this way, now.
I had numerous false starts before heart attack hill, all of the usual "Hey, I'm gonna get in shape" pronouncements of the New Year's Resolution variety and a few that were sparked by an upcoming swimsuit season. Sometimes my good intentions were simply because I thought it was the right thing to do for my health.
When I would make token steps in the right direction most of these were of the "Ladies only" variety that I just knocked around a few pages back. So, let's be clear, there was a time in my life that I wasn't even motivated or disciplined enough to stick with something that I personally don't find very challenging at all.
Why didn't I stick with it?
Well, you and I know the answer to that one, because doing nothing is waaaaaaaaayyyyyyyy easier than doing something. That's just a fact of life.
The fact that we haven't done something before now or have more than a few false starts in our lives doesn't mean we suck as human beings, it means we're simply being human beings.
Let's face it, most of us need some sort of kick in the pants to get going, whether that comes in the form of a bicycle induced cardiac event, that high school reunion around the corner, or an overheard "chunky" comment from a stranger who needs whispering lessons.
Me? I had all the excuse loaded and ready...
- "It's mighty cold outside, it can't be healthy to go running in this sort of weather." Used it.
- "It's mighty hot outside, it can't be healthy to exercise in this sort of weather." Check.
- "I've got to get up early for work tomorrow, I really need my rest." I loved this one.
- "I overslept today and really need to catch up." That one, too.
- "Aw, I was going to workout tonight but my friend and workout buddy can't make it, so I'll wait for her because we're a team." This one is poplar because it makes us sound compassionate and altruistic, but I'll remind you that no matter how often your friend does or does not show up for workout will not change the size and sag of your butt. Nope, your butt is your responsibility.
And on and on.
You sense a pattern? No matter the circumstances a human being can be counted on to come up with a nice sounding rationalization even if the excuses examined in series are contradictory.
My favorites were always of this variety:
"Kylie's Great Big Grand Super-Duper Exercise & Nutrition Program...(wait for it) starts tomorrow... or this weekend... or at the first of the month...or as soon as I have my oil changed,...or....
Yeah, this was my big favorite, big plans that were never scheduled to start today, right now. Always tomorrow, or some other time that ain't right here.
I've found that this is pretty common, the "Oh, out-of-shape body, just you wait until Thursday and you will not believe the paces I'm gonna put you through." Invariably Thursday arrives and it turns into an Orange is the New Black viewing marathon.
Well, we all need some motivation to get us going and keep us moving: heart attacks, swim suits, inconsiderately shrinking pants, et cetera. Some words of wisdom to keep in the front of our mind to get us over that "Well I said I was going to tonight but..." moments.
For some, Nike's "Just do it!" is golden, and there is something admirable in its sleek wisdom but those three words sounds like something said by folks who are already doing what they're doing to we not doing it yet folks.
You know, easier said than done advice.
Here's one I use, I cribbed it from my husband, who uses it all the time on himself, first a teensy story to set it in context.
The Stoic philosopher, Epictetus, offered this retort to a student who professed grand plans of learning and moral deeds he was planning on starting the next day:
"So, tomorrow you shall be a good man, what does that make you today?"
Ouch!
If we applied this logic to all grand plans in our lives we can see that un-stated opposite in each pronouncement we make:
"Tomorrow I'll start that diet, today I shall be fat."
"I'll train hard starting tomorrow, today I am lazy."
"Tomorrow I'll work towards last year's slacks, today I'll sign up for a Lane Bryant catalog."
So, what are you doing today?
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