No more excuses

Yea, that's me on the cover image of this post. Exhaling, with my arms open wide, with great relief as I crossed the finish line to my first ever full marathon (26.2miles). I was beyond tired but also filled with so much joy (and relief). You see, July 2018 I set a goal that I would finish a marathon and BAM! I did it. Mission accomplished March 2019 and November 2019 (2nd marathon completed). Fast forward to April 2020 and I have more ambitious goals. Train and complete a triathlon. Lucky me, I found a FREE Beginner's Triathlon Training program that started just April 26. However, yesterday, I caught myself thinking of all sort of excuses to not stick to my training plan for the day.

I'm too tired. It's raining. I don't feel like it. I have not signed up for an event yet, what's the use? One missed training session won't hurt me.

I mean, the thoughts kept coming. Eventually, I did get out of the house and completed my one hour bike ride and I'm glad I did, but BOY, did I have a hard time getting started. Yesterday was a true reminder of the old saying-getting started is always the hard part.

Before bed that evening, I wondered why I was making excuses. After all no one is making me do this. Training for a triathlon is something I want to do. In fact, I love a good sweat, but again, I still found myself not motivated for the bike ride that awaited me. Today, as I was trying to ignite excitement back into my training life, I came across an article entitled No More Excuses. The article posed several excuses people give for missing a workout and it offered ideas to break those barriers (aka excuses). Good insight, I thought. Internal versus external motivation was also reviewed and it left me questioning my own motivation for completing a triathlon. Why am I doing this, I asked myself. Simply put, because I want to be a fit athlete. I have a strong desire to be healthy and fit now and in old age. I want to be disease free and at liberty to do whatever I want, when I want. I don't want to spend middle age life and older years going in and out of doctors offices, spending money on prescription medication or being limited in my mobility due to a debilitating disease. I want to be FREE. Keeping the ultimate goal of excellent health in the forefront of my mind is enough to keep me motivated. I understand this is also a journey-it's a lifestyle I must practice for ultimate results. So today (and beyond) I promise myself to leave the excuses behind, live the Nike motto and Just Do It!

What excuses are you making for abandoning the dreams you once had? Whatever the excuse, I encourage you to lay them aside and GO AFTER YOUR DREAM. Take one small step toward a short term goal. Tomorrow, take another. Next week, take another small step. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY do something that will move you toward your goal. When your energy gets low and you complain (or make excuses) for not completing task remember no one is making you do this (work toward a goal)-this is something you want to do. So get moving and don't quit until the goal is reached.