Sometimes I am my own worst enemy.
I can let myself make decisions that are easy… but not necessarily the best for me. I, all too often, take the easy way out, and not always the best way out.
Take for example, my workouts.
Man, am I ever struggling with them right now!
I can find about any excuse not to do them, and to not follow through with what I committed doing for my health. I should be motivated, especially since I’ll be putting this body in a swimsuit in a matter of weeks! And, I’ll be biking across the state in 130+ days! But oh, the excuses!
“I’m too tired.”
“I’ll do it later.”
“I need my sleep more than I do exercise.”
“Just one more cup of coffee… then I’ll workout.”
“It won’t matter if I skip it today.”
This morning I was in the all-too-familiar process of talking myself out of getting on the treadmill. But then I remembered how awful I feel when I allow the excuses to win. (Believe me, I’ve had plenty of experience with this!)
That feeling is always worse than actually doing my workout.
Finally I spoke out loud,
“I need to quit thinking and making excuses, and start doing!”
That’s all it took. Right then I changed into my workout clothes, grabbed my running shoes, and down on the treadmill I went.
After my time was up, I felt like I could conquer the world.
I felt strong, and powerful. I was filled with enthusiasm and energy. I had an on-top-of-the-world attitude. Best of all, I had integrity with myself because I followed through with what was best for me, and not what was easiest.
I didn’t let the excuses win.
Friend, is there some excuse you’re allowing to win? Is there something you know you need to do, but you’re putting it off? Is there a particular thing you understand deep down is best for you, but your choosing an easier path?
Take one step forward. Do that thing you’ve been putting off. Find reasons to do it, instead of reasons not to. Think of how different you’ll feel–especially about yourself–when you finish it.
Can you share of a time you pushed through and conquered the excuses? How did you feel?
Don’t let the excuses win.
And if we need another reminder, we can see in scripture how those who made excuses missed out on much, including the great banquet. We certainly don’t want to be like that.
I’ll need to remember this if the workout excuses come back to do battle tomorrow.
Bless you!
Julie
Linking up with friends Meredith for #Woman2Woman and Holley for Coffee For Your Heart.
Julie, I’m with you girl, making excuses for exercise comes really easy to me 🙂 Thanks for your encouragement today on #w2w. Have a great day, Kim
Hey Kim! Glad we can help each other through the excuses! Praying your day and week is going well!
Julie, I was just visiting with my niece yesterday about how I make excuses when it comes to taking care of my body. God has great timing with your post! Thanks for sharing.
I love how God does that, Laura! I’m so glad you shared that here. May we both not let the excuses win! Blessings!
Hi Julie,
Love these thoughts of not letting our excuses have the final say over us! We do miss out on life when we listen to those voices telling us to forget it and sometimes we have no idea what we’re missing until we do push through and oh how rewarding it is! Stopping by from Holley’s link-up today! 🙂
Hi Valerie! Yes, it’s so rewarding to push through and realize what we would have missed out on, had we given in to the excuses! Thank you for sharing your thoughts and your encouragement! Blessings to you.
There are excuses…but there are reasons, too.
I’ve lost a lot of blood today, literally. Maybe best to let my body catch up. Passing out while doing pushups is something I have done, and my nose still hurts.
But when it does catch up, I’m back.
Yes there are reasons, but lately mine have been excuses. Terrible ones. It sounds like it would be best to let your body catch up. Praying for that to happen soon, Andrew. Thanks for stopping by today!
“One step forward” – yes! It’s amazing what a difference starting can make. I’m one of those that worry over what’s ahead and convince myself I’ll never be able to do it. But then, when I take that one step forward God is always faithful to meet me there and prove to me (once again) that He is able when I am not. Thank you for the reminder that we can’t get paralyzed by excuses – sometimes we just have to move. And PS. don’t know if I missed it last time, but love the new blog header – huge fan of the chalkboard look! 🙂 Blessings, Julie!
Hey Tiffany! One step forward. Such a simple thing that can make such a difference. Thank you for highlighting that for me. Even in my own writing I can miss things! It’s a new header. I made it on Sunday. Thanks for noticing! God bless you. Let’s keep moving forward!
Not only to I let excuses win, but I tend to make up super creative ones, lol. So, if I put more effort into following through instead of coming up with extravagant reasons for avoidance, I’d probably see a huge difference.
God’s working on me, and I’m working on it, and your words today were that one awesome reminder.
Thanks, Julie, dropped in from #Woman2Woman Wednesday!
Hi Christine! Your words made me smile here… “I tend to make up super creative ones.” I’m glad I’m not the only one who does this, but I’m even more glad God is working on us and in us! We’ll get there if we keep our eyes focused on Him. So thankful you stopped by today. Bless you!!
Excuses sure do feel good in the moment don’t they? Thanks for the kick we all need occasionally!
A great reminder today, Julie! I let excuses win WAY too much…and lately it’s all about exercising. 😛 Thanks for the encouragement…maybe I’ll get on it tomorrow. 😉 xo