Guys, this summer was a total shitshow whirlwind. Between moving, traveling, working/not sleeping, fun and adventures, I felt like I had zero time to do anything else, which meant a lot of my usual healthy habits fell by the wayside. I wasn’t eating well (i.e. tater tots +Ā peanut M&Ms for dinner) or working out (IĀ averagedĀ 2-3 sweat sessionsĀ per work) and, because of this, I felt so darn lazy. I’m usually a motivated, go-go-go-type of person, but I found myself struggling to find motivation to eat healthy and exercise. It was frustrating, but what really bothered me was how many excuses I was able to come up with. I don’t have time. I’m too tired. I need to do X, Y, Z first.Ā I thought maybe our crazy-fun summer was to blame, but when my excuses and lack of healthy living continued right through toĀ the beginning of September, I knew something needed to change.
One day, shortly after Labor Day, I wasn’t feeling particularly good about myself.Ā I told Mal that I really wanted to get my act together and start eating well and regularly working out again, but then I started reeling off excuses whyĀ I didn’t have time, motivation, blah, blah, blah. Mal just looked at meĀ and said: āYou’re beingĀ āĖExcuse Girl’.Ā You’re the oneĀ who always says: You make time for what’s important to you.Ā Maybe you should take your own advice.āĀ TouchĆĀ©.Ā I knew he was totally right and, honestly, that’s all I needed to hear. Excuse Girl. Yikes.
I didn’t like being Excuse Girl. I was unhappy,Ā unmotivated, and feeling somewhat hopeless. I didn’t feel comfortableĀ in my own skin, and I justĀ wanted to get back to my old (healthy) self as soon as possible. As I’ve said before on CNC: If you don’t like something about yourself, change it and that’s exactly what I did.
Last week, I recommitted myself to healthy living and, surprisingly, it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. If there’s a will, there’s a way!
(Tank top is from Spreadshirt.)
I ate healthy meals and didn’t overdo it on treats andĀ booze. (The photo below is Crock Pot Chicken Cacciatore from SkinnyTaste over steamed veggies. So good!)
I worked out four timesāāeven with all of that traveling!
And I felt so GOOD about myself (and life, in general). It’s amazing what prioritizing your health can do for your mind, body, and soul.
Yesterday, I dominated my Sunday food prep in preparation for the 6-week KFIT Fall Fit Challenge, which couldn’t have come at a better time. I’m IN!
The Challenge is basically eat right and exercise. It’s your usual no sugar, no refined junk, no alcohol, etc. +Ā 4 workouts per week. There’s a focus on quality sources of protein and fat, but it’s definitely not low-carb. I’m not a diet person and know I can’t give up my favorite foods (i.e. dessert, wine), so I’ll be doing my own thing with the Challenge guidelines in mind. For me, it’s all about effort and knowing that I’m doing my best, and, prior to last week, I was far from that! I was giving like 40% effort. Haha!
My goals for the next 6 weeks are pretty straight-forward, but I wanted to share them with you guys for some extra accountability:
- Eat ārealāĀ meals and limit unnecessary snacking
- Enjoy ONE treat per day (i.e. ONE Mighty Muffin or ONE glass of wine, not both + 8,000 M&Ms)
- Work out 5 times per week
- Get back to my āfeel great weightāĀ <— I’m not a big scale person (here’s why), but I know I’ve put on some weight
- SLEEP!!!! 8 hours per night! No excuses!
- Lay off the M&Ms <— This is totally serious. I buy a bag or two every time I go to Target and it MUST STOP
Ok, so that’s that. I’ll be sure to share some healthy meals and workouts from the Challenge as the weeks progress.
And since it’s Monday (#mondaymotivation), I wanted to share two of the workouts that I did last week. I loved both of them, andĀ I was super sore from the secondĀ one! Holy Curtis Ps!
Questions of the Day
Are you guilty of making excuses when it comes to your healthy habits? How do you overcome them?
87 Comments
I am definitely guilty of making excuses when it comes to healthy habits. My most often used excuses are travel or PMS š The part where you talked about indulging in one treat per day, and not having your treat and a “8,000 M&Ms” is literally my life! I struggle with that more often than not because I’m really too strict at times. Finding your balance is so important. I can’t wait to hear how this fall fitness challenge goes for you!
Hi tina – it might be a ‘boring’ post but wondering if you could someday do a full post on what you prep ahead on sundays. I try to be productive and prepare (or at least grill my proteins) for the week on sundays but find i’m in a rut and prepping and eating the same things over and over. could really use some inspiration. thanks!
Check out the comments above. I shared what I prepped this week and here are a couple Sunday prep posts: http://carrotsncake.com/2014/05/sunday-prep-ideas-for-a-week-of-healthy-eating.html
http://carrotsncake.com/2013/06/ideas-for-weekly-meal-prep-sunday-cook-up.html
excellent ! thanks
I love this because that has been me for so long. I make so many excuses and then I complain to my husband. Haha. I’ll make changes and then I find more excuses! Overall I know I need to change but just can’t seem to get out of my funk.
I have been feeling the same way about getting back to eating right, and eating quality meals! So far I am off to a good start and I have my meals all ready to go as well! It just feels good, especially with energy, it helps so much keep you good to go through all the crazy moments throughout the day!
Thanks for such an honest post – for me, the hardest part of getting back on track is being honest with myself and taking complete ownership of the situation. I know I’ve been going overboard on the treats lately, so I really like your idea to limit myself to one treat per day. I already know better than to set myself up for failure by telling myself I can’t have any treats!
I did a little too much eating and drinking this summer and did not work out as much as I usually do. My sweat sessions still happened, but they weren’t as long or as well thought out. Don’t worry, you were not the only one. I feel gross, and not great about myself and am getting myself back on track.
M&Ms are my kryptonite. I just bought a bag of pumpkin spice latte m&ms this weekend and the bag is almost gone…
I could definitely use a bit of a reset.
You go girl!! I just went through a very similar thing. I have a had a crappy summer in regards to food and exercise. I feel like summer can do that. It’s time to get back on track this fall!
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, you knew i needed this post! I have been total excuse girl and without reason, im a stay at home mom to a precious 18 month old who lives out in the boonies far from civilization. It’s hard to stay motivated and easier to bake all the time. So Thank you for my inspiration and motivation!
Much Love,
Amanda
This post is just what I needed. I have making excuses for the last 6 months but really for the last year. We have move 4xs (well almost move #4 is thursday) in the last 2 years. We moved from out of state to new city, started new jobs, bought a new house, moved out of that house to gut it and now we are moving back in. I cannot wait. while yes I am having excuses this week that I am packing and running boxes back and forth and unpacking, I am so pumped to get back to life-eating better, cooking more in my new kitchen, grilling since our grill will be out of storage, walking in our neighborhood, and working out. I am not happy with how I look but I know its my own doing. Its time to make a change, I lost 30lbs 10 years ago but after having a baby I only lost 15 and then gained 5 more with all the stress of the last 6 months. I am ready, I am ready to take care of me.. So glad to see someone I look at as a model for healthy realistic living also has these periods in her life. Thanks!
I’m in the same boat and YES I make excuses. New flavors of Oreos and Target M&Ms are my weakness.
I definitely make excuses and now that I’m back to teaching full time I struggle to workout more than a few days a week. I know I just need to fit it in!
Oh how I know “Excuse Girl” she lives with me more often than I’d like. I’d like to kick her to the curb most days, but for some reason she intergrates herself into my life like a bad headache. I know what I need to do, but I can’t seem to get back on it. It’s like I read health blogs, love to cook all kinds of foods, know I should exercise min. 5 days a week but for some reason the devil shoulder who holds “Excuse Girl” grabs my ear and pulls pulls pulls. How I need “Excuse Girl with the devil horns” to fall off her wagon so I can pull myself into a better mind frame.
Of course I am guilty of making excuses when it comes to getting motivated to workout and to endlessly snack. Don’t feel like you are alone, Tina, with eating 9,000 m&m’s!! My go-to has been TJ’s dark chocolate almonds…. But to overcome workout excuses –> I have combated that struggle by working out in the morning! And to beat down the choco almond snacking –> I can’t buy any! I do my best to avoid the grocery store aisles where they are located… oh how I try!
Loved this post. I can definitely relate! I did the Around the Gym workout last night and it was a killer. Thanks – love workouts like that!
So glad you liked it! š
i think you should beat yourself up a little less. i mean, life happened to you, real life, and expecting yourself to be perfect all the time with your diet and your exercise is the exact kind of extreme you advocate against. It’s great you can recognize the difference between a time when priorities were different this summer (and that’s okay!) and when they are becoming ‘excuses’ and that, I think is key.
I didn’t beat myself up at all. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with with getting on and off track at times. It’s all part of the healthy living journey! š
I’m with you! I just started a fall fitness challenge after Labor day myself! And what is it about M&Ms that they are just SOOO darn addicting!
Oh Man I am QUEEN Excuse Girl! I am NOT a fan of working out but whenever I do it I feel great. My sister and I have committed to getting in shape and being healthy. It’s been painful but fun doing it together.
Now, NO EXCUSES! I think I’m going to frame that and put it in our house. š
That’s great that you were able to call yourself out AND do something about it. Week after week I keep telling myself to clean up the bad habits (chocolate with every meal) but haven’t been able to make a change yet. Every weekend I vow to do something about it, then the excuses start!
Girl, I am WITH YOU on the M&Ms! I was eating them every single night! I’m doing an 8 week barre challenge right now and committing to eating more veggies and real food, much fewer M&Ms, getting in 4-5 workouts per week, and just resetting my mind for a healthier and happier outlook on life! We can do this!
I love how real you are. You honesty is really inspiring. Thank you!
I am so guilty of making excuses!! “I had a long week”, “my stomach doesn’t feel well”, “I’ll wake up early tomorrow and workout” which doesn’t happen. It’s not until I realize how my mood has changed that I snap back into shape and get back in the routine. It’s amazing how easy it is to fall out of the routine and so difficult to jump back in. I’m right there with ya sister!
I can totally relate to this! Most people who want to lose weight(of course that includes me!) loves to whine about excuses in order to delay their obligation to change and live a healthier lifestyle. Mai was the best to remind you of your own advice! Good thing you have a man like him in your life!
Well I can say that it’s totally fine to fall off the wagon sometimes. I decided to stop feeling bad about my cheating days since I am human and I am bound for cheating once in a while. The most important thing is that the next day I make sure to make a huge comeback for it! But I got to agree that slacking off until September is too long, so I am glad you are now moving to make things right!