If I am going to exercise, it has to go like this: Up at 5:45 am, in the gym by 6:00am, in the shower by 6:45am ready for my first client of the day. Now, I never said this routine was easy (thus the fight). This morning I was awakened by the shrill beep, beep, BEEP BEEP of my alarm, signalling the start of the fight. It was on!

 

You must be kidding. I feel like I just went to sleep a few hours ago! (Thanks to the All Whites) Ahhh it’s still dark!

 

Another excuse jab here: I’m tired!

 

A plea punch there: It’s cold!

 

A surprise shot in the dark: Don't get out of this comfy bed!

 

I dragged my butt out of bed and slowly made it to the bathroom. Even there, the attack continued, jeez these tiles are cold, I should be back in bed. Then I was hit from behind with a cheap shot, what if I wake up the family!

 

I put on my armour to boost my strength and defend myself better. On go the socks, shorts, T-shirt, shoes and off I go charging down the stairs. That was all it took to bring down the offender. The fight was over and I was on the treadmill getting warmed up. Even then though I

could roughly hear his voice from the distance telling me, “just run for five minutes and head back to bed”. But it was too late; I had won today by a knock-out!

 

That's how my battle went this morning, but in reality, it's a battle I fight every day. I’d like to say that I am an undefeated champion, but that would be a lie. Sometimes I do lose and the voice wins. Many people think that a personal trainer never misses a workout and never struggles with eating the right things or staying away from the not-so-right things (mmmm beer). But I struggle just as much as everyone else. It is not easier for me than it is for others. It all comes down to the moment of the decision—like 5:45 a.m. every morning. That is where the battle is won or lost.

 

We all know how important exercise is to our health. We all know we should be doing it, but we allow ourselves “outs” with what we consider acceptable excuses. You can excuse yourself out of anything if you keep listening to yourself long enough. You can let those rationalisations make sense if you try.

 

If that means getting up at 5:45 a.m. then so be it. I want to be healthy for a long time. I’ve got a long list of reasons why. I like to feel good and feel good about myself. I like the way exercise makes me feel. I want to be around to spend a long, healthy lifetime with my wife. I want to see my daughter laugh and play and see her grow up and maybe even give me grandkids one day! I want to grow old so my daughter has to look after me and change my nappies one day like I joke around with her now about what will happen.  I want to encourage others to do what they need to do to be healthy. I want to encourage you to stay in the fight and not give into the excuses.

 

Nike still has the best excuse buster I can think of. Just Do It! Does it mean getting up early even though you'd rather sleep longer? Just do it. Does it mean staying up later to hit the gym and cook a healthy meal? Just do it. Is it hot or cold outside? Just do it. You name the reason why you shouldn’t do it, and just do it anyway.

 

The fight will be on again tomorrow morning, same time, same place.