Yeah I know that people that are a lot busier than I am find time to get their workouts in. I also know that there are people out there in way worse shape than me that get their workouts done, and there are people that struggle daily with one condition or another that makes their workouts monumentally more difficult than anything I do on a daily basis. That doesn't mean I need an excuse does it?
What about you? I don't know you. Do you workout? I hope you are getting some form of exercise because I think it is important. If you aren't I won't ask "What's your excuse?". I would like to know why though. You might have your reasons but like I said I don't know you and I don't know what they are.
I don't believe "What's your excuse?" opens any kind of meaningful dialogue. I could certainly workout harder and more frequently but I don't and that doesn't require any excuses. I think when you ask the question people shut down and don't want to talk about exercise or diet anymore and that is sad. Maybe they get scared off because they don't have an excuse, or maybe they do, but feel like it isn't good enough, or they will be put down or shamed because of it. Asking in a better way might reveal that the individual is overwhelmed and doesn't know where to begin so they haven't begun. Something like that is simple to overcome with the right help, and it would be unfortunate to miss an opportunity to help someone because you asked the wrong question.
I like to help people when I can because I don't think there is anything that I have done that the average person couldn't do. I have been average at many things. In an upcoming series of posts I will address many of the barriers to adventure that people face. Hopefully in the series I'll touch upon some of your reasons for not getting started with that workout regimen, or that paddling trip, or that 5k you promised yourself you would get in shape for. Maybe you will come to find out that some of your reasons aren't as insurmountable as you originally thought. At least I hope so.
If somebody asks you "What's your excuse?" ask them if they are volunteering to be your mentor and tell them that just because you seem like everything is ok your reasons are real and you need help to overcome them not pithy questions from superior people.
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| I doubt this guy would ask "What's your excuse?". |
This is a great post. While there are probably plenty of people who could make time to get out and exercise (this girl), I definitely think there are better ways than shame to get people doing something. To be fair, some of the people who I've seen post that kind of thing are some of the nicest, most welcoming and inclusive people I know, but I'm much more motivated by seeing what all my friends are doing. Guilt makes me want to curl up on the couch with a cookie.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kate that means a lot coming from a person who used to have a higher Klout score than me.
DeleteUsed to? Aw, snap!
DeleteI miss two or three workouts a week and it doesn't bother me much. I prefer sleep to getting in my morning workout most days. I figure you gotta live too.
ReplyDeleteI like this inspiring word "? What's your excuse? To build resolution it with this "Just do it now." http://titaek-english.blogspot.com/2014/08/what-is-your-excuse-yes-its-i-am-lazy.html
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