As a running coach, I hear a lot of excuses. Sometimes from athletes who fail to get their workouts completed. Sometimes from non-runners who swear they could never be runners. On occasion these excuses are valid. Life happens. Circumstances change. But usually, those excuses are rooted in one thing.
The inability to sacrifice.
I firmly believe that you can accomplish ANYTHING you set your mind to. That the key to success lies in ones ability to do whatever it takes. This is true for any goal, fitness-minded or not.
It's not an accident that I lost 70 pounds. And it's not an accident that I run 40-50 miles per week. And it's not an accident that I have more debt than I am comfortable with. I got to this point because of the sacrifices that I was willing or not willing to make.
Sacrifices aren't easy, but they are usually worth it. Sacrificing my portion sizes and my couch potato lifestyle made me healthier. Sacrificing my sleep and some free time from my schedule has helped become a stronger runner. A better runner. Sure, "giving up" these things was hard at first, but over time they no longer felt like sacrifices and I had become a different person.
Last night, J and I had a discussion about what we are willing to sacrifice to reach our goals. We broke it down, month by month and decided what we could live without. It seems daunting. Daunting but doable. And when we calculated the payoff, a little bit of hardship now is 100% worth it in the end. And I have a feeling that before it's all over, we are going to realize that we aren't sacrificing much at all.
What are you willing to give up to reach your potential?
I agree with you 100% on this post. Anything is possible if you want to do it, you just have to make that choice.
ReplyDeletegood luck, you can definitely do it!!
ReplyDeleteI hear you about that calculated debt...I keep telling myself the tens of thousands in college loans WILL be worth it in the long run!!! Still scary though, LOL!
ReplyDeleteAmen!!!! More people need to hear it. I can't tell you how many people make excuses that I've heard. I'm too old, don't have enough time etc. UGH!!!!!! I make the time because it is important to me, my health and the ability to show others things are possible!
ReplyDeleteOnce I get into my Ironman training I'm going to have to sacrifice any evening/late afternoon activities for getting up early to train. That'll mean a lot less time with friends, but either they'll understand and adjust from time to time or they'll just have to live with it.
ReplyDeleteSome goals are not worth compromising over.
So...so true. I get frustrated when I read/hear about people saying they don't have time to exercise...but certainly seem ot have a lot of time to comment on blogs, tweet etc etc. I make time to plan out meals, plan out workouts etc. to get it done. Missing something because of the tv..is not an option for me anymore nor do I want it.
ReplyDeleteSo true... I hear it all the time. People will say they wish they could run a 5k or marathon or, or, or if only they had the time. Trust me, I did not get up at 4:45 am before I got into swimming and running. It is absolutely a matter of what you are willing to give up or rearrange.
ReplyDeleteGood for you on the debt. We are going through tjat right now. Trying to break through the mountain of debt we have created and go cash only. I think I can dot it in three years. :)
so true! What am I willing to sacrifice? Thanks to TIVO - not tv :) I'm willing to sacrifice some sleep and house chores to keep my sanity
ReplyDeleteIf you'd be willing to share it, I'd love to hear more about your budget - groceries, specifically. We have a budget but we almost always exceed our (VERY LARGE) grocery budget. Coupons, for example, never seem to apply because they're always for crap and we don't eat crap. It frustrates me ... I know some of it is waste, but I don't have a handle on how much. just curious! ;)
ReplyDeleteAs for sacrifices, I won't ever sacrifice the well-being and happiness of my family and, but everything else is fair game.
Nice post...I am going to do some thinking about sacrifices!
ReplyDeleteWell said! Life is about the sacrifices we decide to make. I find that I never have time to make a fancy dinner (we eat healthy, but we basically eat the same 4-5 things every. single. day.) and what it comes down to is that my husband and I just don't care. We are okay with that. The sacrifice it would take to meal plan and grocery shop aren't worth it to us. But it is to some people. The sacrifices some people make so they can drive fancy cars are not worth it to me, but they are to some people. That said, when our baby is born, we will fork over the dough for a nanny because that's important for us. It all comes down to the choices we make and the life we CHOOSE to lead. Everyone has the time...it all comes down to how you CHOOSE to spend it. It's a choice to sit on the couch or go out and play (read:party) instead of working out. And that choice is okay, even good (if that's what you want), but it's always a choice and there is always a sacrifice.
ReplyDeleteThis post is amazing. I was just talking to my husband about this. I run on my lunch break from work and people think I'm crazy. But then in the same breath they ask me for food/fitness/health advice ((I'm a personal trainer/gym teacher). It all comes down to sacrifice. What are you willing to do to get what you want? Love it!!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! "Take what you want," says God, "and pay for it!" :)
ReplyDeleteWell said!!!
ReplyDeletegreat post:)
ReplyDeleteMost of my life has been about sacrifice...I think this year is going to be a bit less about sacrifice and more about Balance..
ReplyDeleteI absolutely agree!!
ReplyDelete"I firmly believe that you can accomplish ANYTHING you set your mind to. That the key to success lies in ones ability to do whatever it takes. This is true for any goal, fitness-minded or not." - VERY TRUE!
ReplyDeleteThere is always a trade-off but there is also a way to balance everything. Some sacrifices need to be done in other areas in our lives so that we may be able to balance out everything. =)
I couldn't agree more! It's the getting to the point you're willing to make the sacrifice that difficult. It takes 90 days (or 30 depending on who you talk to) to make a habit, after that it doesn't seem so sacrificial.
ReplyDeleteFunny, hubs and I have been having the same types of conversations lately. We have some big goals for the next couple of years and it is going to take some sacrifice... hopefully all worthwhile in the end! Good luck to you.
ReplyDeletei always say when someone is house hunting, you have to sacrifice something, you will sacrifice space or money. sometimes this convo is hard to have with hubby b/c we don't feel like cutting anything out yet we want to get ahead ?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sacrificing my tv time - I've just finally come to the (very obvious) realization that I can work out and watch tv at the same time.
ReplyDeleteOn a more serious note - and I will only admit it here, not to anyone in real life - we're barely getting by so we're sacrificing having another child right now rather than raise 2 kids with absolutely no extra money. That was a fun conversation to have to start the new year...
Great post and so true.
ReplyDeleteCan't give up my coffee but can give up Starbucks - as often as I go!
ReplyDeleteCheck out my giveaway. I bought one pair of socks with you in mind.
Love this post. So perfect at this time of year--it really is a terrific perspective.
ReplyDeleteSo many sacrifices are no-brainers. The ones that take some convincing are the ones that are truly worth it!
Thanks for the food for thought :)
I completely agree. I can't stand if people come up with excuses for this and that. Whatever you do in life is a choice, if you don't like it change it. But do something and don't just sit there and complain. Great attitude and good luck on achieving your goals!
ReplyDeleteWhen my husband and I first bought our house we made enormous sacrifices. We rarely holidayed, didn't go to the movies, shopped carefully and sparingly and worked on paying off our mortgage. It was tough but we made it and now we can live quite comfortably (in comparison) even though neither of us has ever had a generous income. The payoffs will be worth it for you too.
ReplyDeleteWhat a great post!
ReplyDeleteI left a very cushy job with a bank two weeks before I got married so that I could start a company with my husband and work from home. It was a huge risk and I was sacrificing a significant salary to take a risk.
Best decision in my life! And it's taught me that I have to make other sacrifices to keep this life I love!
LOVE this! Its exactly where I am right now with fitness and finances. It really does come down to how bad you want it and how much you're willing to work for it.
ReplyDeleteAWESOME post. Thanks for making me think. I think.
Winks & Smiles,
Wifey
You are awesome. And so wise. And I agree wholeheartedly. I sacrifice a lot of sleep. Worth it for some time to myself. I love it.
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