It’s Time to Stop Making Excuses. 
Whether it’s because we’re not really ready to take control, or we fear change, there are always excuses and reasons to put off our goals. Nowhere is this more true than when it comes to weight loss. Instead of taking a chance to bet on success, it’s easier to assume failure or simply never start. Here are the three excuses people make that keep them fat, and why we think you should stop making them.
1) I’ll Start Tomorrow: Procrastination is a false belief that deadlines aren’t real. Putting the start line off until “tomorrow” means we can always move it another day. It’s a sure-fire way to never start, and therefore never reach a goal. Why you should stop making this excuse: Every day you start making healthier choices and breaking bad habits is a step closer to a big, seemingly impossible, goal. A 500 calorie deficit created today through diet and exercise can lead to a 3,500 calorie deficit in one week–that’s a loss of one pound per week! Imagine if you had started weeks ago, where would you be now?
2) It’s Too Hard: Any goal worth accomplishing requires work, but losing weight doesn’t have to be about deprivation and punishment. Our participants report that putting a financial reward in front of their goal awakens a natural sense of competition and play and makes weight loss more manageable. Why you should stop making this excuse: Losing weight can be fun. When you’re committed to a personal motivation, whether it’s for health, vanity, monetary or a combination of reasons, stay focused on the prize and create your own process to get there. Don’t love the gym? Try walking around the neighborhood with your favorite tunes playing. Do it your way, and don’t subscribe to the notion of punishment or deprivation.
3) I’m So Busy: Another form of procrastination, this translates to “I’m not ready.” We’re never ready for a lot of things, but don’t wait for hypertension, diabetes, heart disease or immobility to make your health a priority. Why you should stop making this excuse: In the time it takes to view the day’s viral videos or watch a reality program on television, it’s possible to prepare a healthy lunch for the next day, do an activity that burns calories, meditate to relieve stress, or take any number of steps toward health. The truth about the “busy” excuse is that it’s deeply rooted in the belief that changes have to be huge to count, when in reality every tiny effort adds up.
Are you ready to put your money on the line to stop weight loss procrastination in its tracks? Then just do it! Sign up for a HealthyWager today.
