Here were the top 8 excuses for not having a healthy lifestyle and I used them all! For years I kept using these excuses until I became unhealthy and very sick. Was it too late? I wouldn’t know until I finally said to myself; ‘perhaps it’s time to move into a healthier lifestyle‘! I seriously needed to do something fast and recognise all these warning signs or I’d be heading for even more trouble!
1. “I will start tomorrow.”
Be honest for a moment. Have you said this? Uh huh. Thought so, and when tomorrow came I’d say the same thing again. Tomorrow has not yet been given to me.
Decide to start – today.
“A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” Lao Tzu
2. “Diet plans don’t work.”
Truth: Diet plans do work, we just don’t follow them. I didn’t follow them! I needed to find a diet plan that worked for me and change my attitude. I had to be positive and commit to a healthier ME! I took a look at keto and intermittent fasting. This was the diet plan that helped me lose lots loads of weight and was easier than any other diet plan I had tried!
3. “I’m having a bad day!”
I hear you! We’ve all been there. Food is comfort—we reach for it to soothe our soul. I get it, I really do. So what did I do? I found a healthier way to cope with stress. I went for brisk walks. Why? It felt much better than eating those packet of Oreos or whole fruit cake!
Here’s why: When the body is under stress the adrenal glands release cortisol. When cortisol is elevated, blood sugar levels are also increased. If you choose to eat the cookies and add more sugar, you won’t feel better, you’ll feel worse. I’d feel terrible!
My Bonus: the walk got me far away from that package of cookies AND I was burning calories! Win-win! I gave myself a pat on the back!
4. “I deserve a treat.”
More dangerous words have never been spoken. Okay maybe I’m exaggerating. But think about it……would it be OK for your boss to ask you for payment instead of giving you a weekly salary? Your salary rewards the hard work you put in. Your salary has been earned. I applied that scenario to my goal for a healthier body. Why punish my body with unhealthy junk food after I’d worked so hard to eat healthy and exercise?
I soon discovered there were plenty of delicious foods I could eat and enjoy while I continued to lose weight. My treats didn’t need to be laden with tons of sugar!
5. “I’m already overweight.”
Ok, that was true and maybe it was overwhelming for me. But the truth was this: I had to begin at this present moment in time. No matter what change I wanted to see in my life, I had to start at THIS moment in time. Now!
Being overweight doesn’t mean I always have to be! It isn’t a matter of whether or not I was overweight but what I planned to do about it. I had to keep motivated, and surround myself with positive role models that supported me.
6. “It’s only 20% fat.”
I’m on a ketogenic diet which is high in fats and low in carbohydrates.
When I go shopping I prefer to look for a much higher or full fat option. I was no longer fooled by the ‘low-fat’ options!
Many low fat options contain a lot of sugar or additives to make up for the taste that is lost when fat is omitted.
Check the full ingredients and avoid unhealthy additives. The higher fat option may turn out to be much healthier. Become a label reader!
7. “I’m overweight because it’s genetic.”
As Cher famously said to Nick Cage in “Monnstruck”, “SNAP OUT OF IT!”
Genetics may played a small part in my health and body but I had the power to change it. Families can be obese through the generations not by genetics, but by passing down the same eating habits. Most people tend to eat the same diet that their parents did. So…..what might happen if I chose a new way of eating? How could it change my body? What diseases might I avoid? Hmmmm, something to think about.
8. “I’m going to live to eat because life’s too short.”
Yes, I was right. If I’m not eating healthy then life could certainly be short!
I have adopted an ‘Eat to Live’ philosophy and I can attest to the positive changes I’ve seen in the appearance of my body, the quality of my life and the reversal of a pre-diabetic condition.
The other day, I ran up 4 flights of stairs because I forgot my keys. I didn’t think about it, I just ran. It was a few minutes later when I realised what my body had just allowed me to do. I couldn’t have done that a year ago. Hey, I’d get out of breath standing on an escalator!
I’m not just thinner. I’m stronger. I’m happier. I am 60 years old and my joints don’t ache. I don’t have headaches. I have energy. Don’t you deserve that too?
The Top 8 Excuses for Not Eating Healthy – Summary
I’ve been through all of this so I know it was challenging. I’ve come out of the other side and I’m here to tell you that YOU CAN DO THIS TOO!
If you are serious about losing weight then stop using these excuses. Decide you want to change and take a simple step to start. I changed my mindset and set my course towards a successful weight loss program. I paid attention to what I ate and drank.
Remember, just because you don’t see the results after a day or even a week, don’t give up! We’re never too old to change!
