Over the past couple of weeks, I have been talking about my client Emma’s inspirational story and some of the challenges involved in achieving her fitness & weight loss goals – including asking someone for help & being consistent – and this week I want to continue that theme with perhaps the most impressive part of her journey.
One of the key things Emma has done from the beginning is to take a “no excuses approach” and by that I mean she has asked for my help and when I’ve told her what to do she has simply done it. No arguing, no excuses, no words of doubt (at least not directly to me). Sounds daft, but you will not believe the amount of people that ask me for help and NOT do what I tell them to do.
And I don’t think for one minute it’s because they don’t trust me or my advice or they want to waste my time – I know it’s because other things have taken priority and the “reasons” (or excuses) have crept in. If that sounds familiar you need to work on your mindset and learn to have this “no excuses approach” like Emma has adopted.
A “no excuses approach” would involve going out for a run regardless of the weather, or getting up for an early morning PT session regardless of how tired your feel, or saying no to a dessert because you know it’s extra calories you don’t need, or doing an exercise in the gym that you hate doing but you just get on with it etc. etc. All things Emma has done over the past few months!
I’ve heard all the excuses in the book for why clients have not done what I or they have said they are going to do but it actually comes back to their mindset. If you want to achieve your goals badly enough and you’ll do whatever it takes to get there you’re destined for success. If you don’t prioritise your goals you wont make time to put in the work and you wont achieve your goals – simple.
I know it’s not always easy but it is possible to balance work, family & your goals… Someone I used to train does ultra marathons, has a successful career, 3 kids & a happy husband – now that’s balance!!
And she is successful because just like Emma, she has taken a “no excuses approach” to her goals. Even if part of your mind is saying “no, you can’t do that” or “you haven’t got time” or “you’re not fit enough” or “you hate running” etc – override it with a “no excuses approach”.
I said this to a client earlier:
“I need you to take a no excuses approach to achieving your goal. It is possible to get the balance with kids, work & your goals and I wont be unreasonable with my advice- you just have to do what I say without fail each week. Find a way every week. If the kids asked you to take them to an extra after school club or work asked you to stay for an extra meeting I don’t doubt that you would do everything you can to make it happen so now I want you to put that energy in to your goals.”
And it’s so true. You lot are all trying to be superwomen (and men) for everyone else and you put yourself at the bottom of the list but now you need to bring yourself to the top of the pile and stop making excuses and start achieving your goals.
In the words of Nike… Just Do It 😉
Note: This advice is suitable for beginner level upwards, but please consult your GP or physiotherapist if you are unsure about any potential contraindications.
onesixeight: fitness provides Personal Training in Loughborough and online for men & women who want to get fit, tone up & feel more confident. Use the contact page to get in touch 🙂