At What Point Do You Stop Making Excuses?

I love what I do.

I mean I really love it.

Most of my working time is spent helping blokes over 35 to get in great shape.

Helping blokes like me.

Whether it’s online Personal Training, face to face small group training, blog posts like this one, writing a book or just designing new exercise routines – it’s all centred around helping guys that are over 35 to get in great shape.

A question that I often get asked is

“Why over 35?”

My answer is simple.

Because that’s how old I was when I started to notice the changes.

That’s how old I was when I noticed that my bulging waistline.

When I noticed the onset of moobs.

When I realised that I could no longer keep up with my son when trying to play football.

When I looked in the mirror and felt old.

When I looked in the mirror and thought “what a weird shape you’ve become!”

This was also a time when I was super busy. I part owned a financial services company and was working 14-16 hour days.

We had 2 young children under 5 years old.

I DIDN’T HAVE THE TIME TO EXERCISE!!!

That’s what I kept telling myself anyway.

Now the route that I ultimately ended up taking was an extreme one – I left my career in Financial Services and re-qualified as a Personal Trainer. Some thought this was a ‘mid-life’

But I knew what I was doing.

I’ve gone through that journey from ‘super busy, low energy, drinking too much booze, mid 30’s Dad’ to becoming an inspirational super fit and in great shape role model to my kids.

and I guess that having gone through this journey

…..it’s pretty easy to help others that are in a similar position to where I was to do the same.

I’m not talking about becoming a Personal Trainer.

I got in shape, loved it – then realised that if I could do that then there’s no reason why I couldn’t make it as a trainer and help others do the same.

I now own a gym with my wife. Honestly this shit is crazy!

She specialises in helping the ladies out.

I specialise in helping guys out. I’m talking about just getting into better shape. Looking and feeling younger. Not accepting older age and doing something about it.

But coming back to that original question of ‘why over 35?’ – it’s because I’ve chosen to specialise in helping guys out like me.

I don’t want to work with guys that are already in great shape.

I don’t want to work with guys in their 20’s – I never felt that I had any issues in my 20’s with the way that I looked so I’m not going to pretend otherwise.

It all started when I hit 35.

So When Do You Stop Making Excuses?

This is how I know that normally guys in their 30’s become a bit more conscious of how they look because all of that crappy, wobbly fat sits on their waist.

…and I also know that it can therefore very strategically be hidden – with a loose shirt hanging out or a suit jacket done up. Trust me – I’ve done it!

But

who are you kidding, right?

Deep down you know the truth, and really that’s all that matters.

If you’re good with it, and comfortable with being overweight then that’s cool as well – just don’t try and hide it if that’s the case.

However if you’re not then there will come a point when something happens.

Call it a ‘wake up call’ if you want.

Something will happen and you will decide that enough is enough. Then you will make a firm commitment to change and do whatever it takes to see it through.

That is when you stop putting it off with excuses.

These are all pretty standard by the way:

“I don’t have the time”

“I don’t have the energy”

“I can’t afford it”

“I eat healthily”

“I’m ok at the minute”

“I need a few drinks each night to help relax”

“It’s normal and just part of getting older”

All of these reasons / excuses translate to

“It’s NOT important enough to me right now”

When Did I Make The Decision?

Here’s the thing. There is no pattern to this. It doesn’t always have to be a HUGE moment. For some it will be when there’s a health scare.

A visit to the GP and they say that blood pressure is too high or cholesterol is too high or you’re at risk of type 2 diabetes.

For me it was when I saw the photo below:

Now you might not think that this looks too bad but I’m naturally a skinny guy and so when I have fat rolling over 36″ shorts and can see moobs forming I soon realised that something had to be done.

I don’t know whether it’s because my daughter was in the photo and I had a vision of not seeing her grow up because I hadn’t looked after myself or whether it was just the initial shock of seeing an unflattering photo of myself – I’m not sure

BUT

It prompted me to make a decision and take MASSIVE action.

All of a sudden all of those excuses I had been telling myself for so long were gone.

Too busy? – I’ll find the time.

Can’t afford it? – I’ll cut down on my booze and takeaways.

Don’t have the energy? – I’ll eat better foods and drink more water

BOOM

Now it was IMPORTANT enough to do something about and so I managed to find answers to all of those excuses.

Let me tell you this though.

It doesn’t work with a half hearted effort.

You have to go ball deep!

Therefore you need to have a big enough reason WHY. You need to be crystal clear on why you want to make healthier choices and undo years of bad habits.

You’ll know when the time is right.

Just like I did.

Ricky

ps. if you need a helping hand or just an easy kick start, my 6 week body transformation book has recently been released on amazon. If you fancy downloading a free copy though then you can do so just here.

CLICK HERE FOR A FREE DOWNLOAD COPY