Yes, that's right: I have a problem! I have a problem with the same old excuses as to why people won't take control of their actions to ultimately determine whether or not they are going to live a long, healthy, energetic life! Sure, I'm biased! But, if given the option, wouldn't you choose to live as long as you could, as healthy as you could with plenty of energy and vitality to boot?! You'd be surprised the amount of noncompliance I encounter on a daily basis in regards to life-changing choices that are simply seen as "too hard" or "too time consuming" or the ever-popular "too expensive"!
I'm a full time manager and personal trainer at a private training studio. I train roughly 40 sessions per week on top of all my other duties associated with my job. I probably clock in atleast 60 hours in a given week, tending to all that needs to be done around the studio--not to mention starting my days in Greensboro at 5:30 in the mornings and staying some nights until 7:30! It's sad to say, but I sometimes see some of my clients during the day light hours more than I see my own husband. But, you know what, I'll go ahead and nip one excuse in the bud: Exercise is a priority and if being healthy is important to you, you'll make time for it. Given what I've just said about my daily regimen (and that's just a nugget of info), I still make time to exercise. If I didn't I'd not only go insane, but I'd have no time for ME to keep ME healthy. And if I'm not healthy, neither is my professional life and my performance at work will suffer. Every time I hear the excuse that there's not enough time to exercise I want to literally scream. Another nugget: My workouts NEVER last more than about 40-45 minutes, and that's on a long day. If you're telling me that you can't carve that our of your busy day a few times a week, you don't want to be healthy! Period.
Second excuse to conquer: Eating healthy is too time consuming and I can't find the time to eat. First of all, I can't overcome the notion of not being able to find the time to eat. I LOVE TO EAT and I will make damn sure I eat when I need to. What's not to like about EATING OFTEN IS A GOOD THING and EATING OFTEN WILL HELP YOU BURN FAT?! I hear all the time that folks can't seem to figure out how to snack during the day. Oh, and don't get me started on the "I don't eat breakfast" deal! That's my favorite meal of the day, and there's no way in HELL I'm starting my day off in a fasted state! I wake up hungry--as you should. You just spent HOURS fasting and your body and mind need a boost to make for a great day. Not to mention this low blood sugar state is no good for your adrenal health and actually puts more stress on you than it's worth. Note: Skipping breakfast to "cut calories and lose weight" is a FALACY and should not be attempted, and not under the supervision of a doctor either! Bottom line: You have to eat the right combination of things at the time right times to lose weight, feel great, and remain energetic. Period.
The final excuse I'll tackle today has to do with the excuse that eating healthy is "too expensive." Case in point: My husband, my daddy, and I all go out to our local co-op every Sunday morning for breakfast. My dad and husband get a fresh baked biscuit (I know, NASTY and PURE TOXIC) loaded with sausage, egg, and cheese (atleast all of these lovelies are locally sourced products). Dad gets bottled water (there's a plus, I suppose) and Korey either gets bottled green tea or his new obsession pomegranite aloe vera juice (with the pulp because he loves to "chew" his juice--interesting, right?!). I always get 3 local, hard-boiled eggs and make a little salad of fresh greens, shredded carrots and balsamic. If they have it on the hot bar, I may get some sauteed veggies. Okay here's the breakdown: Dad's running total every week is $3.69; Korey cashes in at $4.68 if he gets his pulp juice or $4.28 if he goes with bottled tea; mine is priced by weight and the bar there is $5.99/lb, leaving me with a total of less than $3.00 every week. While they are indulging on loads of bread (I mean, there are new borns smaller than these buscuits!) along with all of that pork and egg-age (not a bad thing but not that great when combined with all that refined flour), I am enjoying a protein- and healthy fat-rich snack with a little complex carb on the side--AND FOR A LOT CHEAPER!!! Who can argue with me now, huh?! And this is just one tiny example of how eating healthy, cutting out the junk and sticking with pure ingredients as nature and our genes intended can actually save your life AND SAVE YOU MONEY!
Let me just also mention that since I've made my primal transition, our grocery bill is almost half of what it used to be. JUST SAYING!
That's all I really want to tackle this week. I think I've reached my quota on soapbox height!
