Hitting the Excuse Button!

I'd like to introduce you to someone who has become very familiar to me during my weight loss journey. In fact, we've developed such a relationship that some days we've spent multiple times a day together. Unfortunately, I'm not all certain this little friend is someone everyone wants to have a relationship with, but none the less I'm sure some of you already do.

Meet my excuse button! He's pretty cute, huh? My friend Tammy introduced me to him early on in my journey and was very good at often times pointing out to me that I was pushing the button. (Should raise her hand, pretend like she was pushing a button and make a beeping sound) I can't tell you how many times I'd make up excuses for things and half the time I really didn't even know I was doing it. A lot of times I think it's what naturally came out of my mouth because whatever excuse I gave for whatever reason, was giving me that sense of security and comfort I was thinking I needed in the moment. The reality of it is that every time I hit that excuse button it moved me further away from where I know I wanted to be. I think we are all guilty of this type of behavior in our own way. Especially if we are overweight and feeling insecure about ourselves and our appearance. It's almost as if it comes natural to those of us that fall into that category. Here is a list of the things I'm guilty of pushing the excuse button for:

- That won't fit me! 

- I can't run that far!

- He/she can do that because they are athletic!

- I don't have time!

- That won't look good on me!

- I could never wear that!

- You're just stronger than me!

- I can't climb that mountain!

- I'm too tired!

- I'm just big boned!

- I CAN'T!

- It's expensive to eat healthy!
- I'll start Monday!

- I've tried that!

- I'll never get there!

- I'm too sore!
- This is taking too long!
- It's too hot outside!
- And the list goes on......

Do you have an excuse button? Maybe you do and haven't even realized it? No worries in either case. Really one of the best things that has helped me overcome some of my struggles mentally on this journey is recognizing that this button exists and is very real. Is it a bad thing? Yes and no. I believe if you entertain the thoughts that the excuse button puts in your mind and don't realize it's a problem, you'll never really get to the root of why you're struggling in the first place. On the other hand, knowing that we all have a tendency to not want to try new things, hard things, or things that seem out of reach - It's nice to have someone there to help you recognize that you are pushing that button and only hurting yourself by slowing down your progress.The best part about all this is that I've been on both sides of fence on this one, and I can tell you it's so much better to have someone there to help you focus and realize you're making excuses when half the time you don't even know you're doing it. Whatever it may take, whether it's finding that friend, writing things down, or simply teaching yourself to not get intimate with the excuse button will only give you nothing but motivation, strength and the courage to get to your goal. 

Believe me, I've yet to master this one and still seem to struggle from time to time but the good news is, the excuse button and I are certainly not as good of friends as we used to be!