I have been working out for quite a few years now. Actually longer than I would like to admit and along the way, I have always had workout friends, partners, buddies that I would either train with on purpose or just happen to run into at the gym during my particular gym hours. During that time I have heard every reason to be late to the gym or not to show up at all. In fact, I am ashamed to say, I might have even used some of them myself.

Of course the oldest one in the book is the good ole alarm clock excuse. Maybe it just didn’t go off or they pressed the snooze too many time, they were up late, hungover, etc. In this day and age, anyone who has a cell phone knows that it easily doubles as an alarm clock. I actually suggested this to a client the first time she tried to pull the whole clock excuse…and I think it stuck in her mind. Which brings me to my next thought.

You have to set boundaries-even with yourself. Make sure that when you set a goal and make a commitment, stick with it, no matter what arises.

Sick, well, that might be one real excuse, but you better be pretty sick. Keep going to the gym as you would a job. Same commitment level, same focus.

Need to work? Well, most people do, even gym rats. Work around it. Go early. Go late. Fewer things are more important than your health. The healthier and more fit you are, the better you can serve all other areas of your life. Basically, you can live a longer, healthier and generally “sexier” life.

Sometimes, having too many friends where you work out can be to your detriment. People who get too comfortable and know each other too well can tend to waste time while they are supposed to turning their bodies into beautiful temples. Gossip about celebrities, the weekend, other people at the gym, movies. Hey, being social is great, but do it another time when you are not slated to be on the treadmill or the stair climber.

Believe me, there have been many moments when I have woken up and just wanted to sleep the day away, when I am not feeling well, or would rather just talk to my friends when I am at the gym instead of running my ass off. Unfortunately, I heard a wise man say once that we are merely an accumulation of our past decisions. With that in mind I am always just moments of my “now” becoming my past and the decisions of my “now” determining how I feel or look in the future.

So every cookie eaten and every gym session skipped is shaping the future you one pound at a time.

And that is how it always begins.

So go the other way.

Put the cookie down and get your butt in the gym.

chris mccombs is a brentwood personal trainer and you can learn more about him at http://www.socalworkout.com/

Bookmark to: