We need to challenge the widely held misconception that only the wealthy can afford to get healthy. A fitness plan does not have to incur a big financial commitment. We are creatures of habit. When faced with flabby stomachs and dimpled thighs we react in the only way we know how and go on another diet. Whipping out the credit card secures us a full 3 months of treadmills, lunges and crunches and it's an exceptional gym bunny who manages to actually show up anywhere near that amount of time. Do we secretly know this? Do we enrol in the certain knowledge that we can share our woes with others in the same boat? Joining the gym and then dropping out within a few weeks is so common it's almost expected and entirely acceptable. A well worn path. We can be secure in the knowledge that we're just like everybody else. If we began our own routine from home - say jogging or powerwalking 3 times a week then what's the lowdown on this one? Who drops out and after how long? We have to take responsibility for our workouts and we don't like that at all!
However much our conscience, our families, the government and seemingly the whole world campaigns tirelessly for us to shape up it is still up to us to decide exactly how we'd like to spend our precious time on this earth. Will we take control or be controlled? If you don't design your own life then someone else will do it for you. And guess what they've got planned for you? Not much.
So what's it going to be?
You choose...
From this moment onwards I choose to live a life of fitness enabling me to embrace all the wonderful experiences that life offers. I will do my very best to achieve this by ensuring that my body is fit, slim and well fuelled.
Actions: Plan a fitness and eating routine. Write it down. Describe the monthly, weekly and daily actions you will take.
From this moment onwards I choose to remain overweight and unfit and if I am fortunate enough to reach 80 years old I will try and crush the overwhelming sense of regret that comes from staying firmly in my comfort zone. I won't say 'what if..' or 'I wish I had..' I will live a life of wanting...but never having.
Actions: Do nothing
Frequent comments (i.e excuses)
Comment: Being slim is over-rated – I can't be doing with all that incredibly hard work only to find that the destination wasn't worth it.
Response: I have never met a slim person who didn't love living their life that way. Effortlessly slipping trendy clothes over a flat stomach, parading in that gorgeous bikini...
Comment: I love my food too much to give it up.
Response: Who said anything about giving it up? Are you saying that slim people don't like food?
Comment: I work such long days that I just don't have the time to exercise. No, seriously it's different for me – I leave home in the dark and return in the dark
Response: The bottom line is that you will always find time for the things that are really important to you.
So the million dollar question must be: what really, really matters to you in this life?
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