One morning on vacation last week, I woke up making excuses as to why I could avoid the treadmill that day. Excuses like:
#1. We’re on a cruise. Isn’t it supposed to be my vacation?
#2. The cruise ship was moving at a fairly fast pace and swaying slightly back and worth. Wouldn’t that sort of make me sea sick?
I really felt like just skipping my workout that day. But I reminded myself of how much better I’d feel if I just got up on the treadmill and at least put in a short run. Even just a mile would get my blood pumping and help me feel better.
It was a bit of a rough start since I’ve never jogged on a treadmill while on a boat that is moving. But once I got started, I realized it was sort of a fun challenge.
At first, I couldn’t go very fast because I was trying to find my running groove while being jostled about a little. Slowly, I increased the speed, and before I knew it, the running “mojo” had set in.
I kept running, kept increasing the speed, and pretty soon, I was feeling great! Before I knew it, I’d run for an hour and had pulled off 5.5 miles — farther than I’d ever gone without stopping.
Yes, I was really stoked. I even took a picture of the treadmill as a reminder to myself the next time I’m tempted to make an excuse in any area of my life {I know, I’m a nerd. And promise me you won’t laugh at my pathetic time. Remember that I’m still a wannabe runner!}.
Excuses Will Never Get Us Anywhere
Everyday, we have choices to make that will either propel us toward success or plummet us backward. We can always come up with excuses for why it’s just not a good day to be disciplined. But excuses will never get us anywhere.
Just get up and do it — whatever “it” is that you are trying to talk yourself out of. You might have to go slower than you’d like, you might not get as far as you’d hoped, but you’ll never get anywhere if you don’t first get up and get on the treadmill.
In what area of your life are you going to stop making excuses and just get up and get started today? Tell us in the comments so we can hold you accountable!
Amanda says
I am great at giving in. I am the champ of making excuses! But it is not something I am proud of. I’ll do anything to NOT do something…anything. It starts as soon as I wake up, I’ll wait until 7:20 when I know if I don’t get up I’ll not only make myself late but also my boyfriend. Believe me I work hard. I don’t know what it is. I’m tired. ?I have no ambition. I have things I want /need to do, to be a good person, mother and housekeeper but I don’t do them until I absolutely have to or need to. Those dishes in the sink… Have been there for a week. The laundry is done and folded but still on the floor. I am so tired of living this way. I seem to be perfectly content on doing nothing…well things that are wasting my time. Watching tv, viggling, YouTube, Facebook, kindle books, anything to not do the dishes, cook dinner, clean the house or exercise. It’s not depression… It’s laziness to the extreme! I don’t know stop? Start?! And how to keep going.
C. Phillips says
I will get up early to exercise but I am failing with making time to be in the Word!!
Cassie @ 3 Dinosaurs says
Wow I needed this so much! I can’t thank you enough for posting this! I just need to do it!
Shannon says
How inspiring Crystal! I didn’t realize so many ran as a primary form of exercise and now after reading your post and comments I think I may try it in a serious way. Before my son was born, I used to run on the treadmill 3 days a week in the gym but really never really considered myself a runner for some reason. I like the concept of becoming a runner because I think it would make me more accountable and continue it consistently. I think I’m going to try to find a used treadmill and run again since I have been making some excuses lately for not exercising regularly. Thanks for the great post.
Melissa says
Thank you so much for this blog post! I really really needed this after yesterday. I am trying to master this long arm quilting so I can stay home with my kids and quilt for customers, but I totally talked myself out of working longer on it due to one minor hiccup. So thanks for this post. I have been in a funk lately and hopefully this will get me out of my funk!
Kate says
Congratulations! 5 miles sounds like alot to someone who does not run (or exercise much). I am having trouble just jumpstarting myself into any type of exercise. Once you’re off the wagon, it’s really hard to make that first leap back on. I am more of a walker/yogi myself. Thanks for the motivation!
Kate
Elizabeth says
Good for you!
A mile is still a mile, no matter how fast you run it.
Sarah says
Good for you! Getting started is almost ALWAYS the hardest part.
Molly says
I woke up this morning to see this post on my Facebook news stories- it was just what I needed to read. I started the c25k in,um…, October. I’m on week 5. . Bad, I know- queen of excuses here! But I knew that if I went for a run today it would be the work out where I had to run for 20 min. Without stopping. Anyways, I finished my coffee, went and put my workout clothes on, got the kids up and out the door to school, then drive down to the beach with the dog and did it! And I didn’t stop. I am so delighted with myself. I used to run a lot before I had kids but I haven’t done any serious running in about ten years so today was huge for me! Thank you for always having such a positive blog- love it! From a reader in Ireland
Jennifer says
Great job! I am working on becoming a runner to. My 2nd 5k is in less than 2 weeks. I am really excited to improve my time. Had a great run yesterday and then a bit of a rough time today. Hoping tomorrow is back up again.
I always take pictures to keep track of my running totals for the week. Then I add all the pictures from the week to an Evernote. If I can’t do it from my cell phone it won’t get done.
zimms zoo says
I just started running 2 years ago when I thought I was going to die after running to the car to get shinguards for a kiddo. I am still very slow but always finish. I am currently training for a half-marathon.
zimms zoo says
If you run then you are a runner. Your time is better than mine and I have been at it 2 years. I feel like the tortoise. lol
I love your blog!
Tiffany says
So impressed!!! Looks like you’re ready for your 10K! We went on a mini vaca this week and I had the exact same thoughts running through my head but I made myself get on the treadmill and I felt much better (especially when we got a huge ice cream cone that afternoon!).
Karen says
Crystal, thank for this great post. After skipping out on the gym for the last 3 months, I returned just this week….and signed up to do a 5K the first weekend of May! Right now, I can’t run at all. I’m taking 21.38 min. to do a mile. So, you’re doing great, in my book! I find that when I allow myself to skip 1 workout, it becomes 2 and then it becomes a month and then…well, you get the idea! Lol. Anyhow, the “no excuses” thing is what I’m working on right now when it comes to excercising!
Mariposa says
I have been on a ‘work kick’ for some time now. These days the challenge isn’t starting, but to keep going. Everyday I wake up, I have to remind myself to work hard and that at the end of the day, I will be glad that I did. Now I look back, after many days of reminding myself to get up and be great, I have created a rolling stone that has yet to gather moss. This is a wonderful feeling of momentum.
While some days are harder than others, knowing that I did the very best that I could do helps me feel fulfilled.
Becky says
Great job!! I was wondering if there is anything you do to pass the time while you are the treadmill. One of my runs this past week, I was able to memorize Psalms 23 and the time flew by. I’m trying to think of more things to do.
Brandi says
Thank you for the wonderful reminder! I am sharing this post with my facebook accountability workout group. I took off while we were on vacation this weekend and gained back 1.5 pounds with all the food I ate (OK, it was probably the chocolate festival, where everything was dipped in chocolate). But it was disappointing to get on the scale this morning. I’m more determined than ever to keep up my workouts and healthy eating!
Amy Lauren says
I actually liked running on the treadmill in the gym on our last cruise (never mind that it was a super boring cruise and not many “free” or included activities). It is very different than running on a treadmill on land though- it’s like the boat rocks and the treadmill moves too, but the view is like no other!
A few weeks after my cruise, I PRed in the 5K distance… guess I could’ve made excuses not to hit the gym on the cruise, but I’m glad I didn’t!
Crystal says
Go you!
sarah says
Thank you for the reminder. I needed the push today! I promised myself that as of today I would get back on an exercise routine. I had made it for about 7 months no excuses everday, and then fell off for a few months, got pregnant with baby number 4 and had lovely morning sickness, and now that I am 14 weeks and finally starting to feel better I have no excuses left. So I am going to start 5 days a week again and have a fit and healthy pregnancy! This pregnancy exhaustion and sickness has left me full of excuses and I really need to push myself to do what I need to do again.
Jamie Rohrbaugh says
Hey way to go, that is awesome! I totally made the opposite choice. 🙁 We were on a cruise week before last, and I worked out once (the morning we boarded) and then just ATE the rest of the trip. I regretted it while I did it–but not enough to stop, apparently–and have regretted it ever since! Gained 5 lbs in 7 days. 🙁 Ugh. And tonight I read your post when I just got back home late, and I’m hungry, and want to eat but know I shouldn’t! So you’re inspiring me to go to bed instead of the frig. Thank you… (from one hungry reader). 🙂
Allyson @ All Our Days says
My big thing is exercising first thing in the morning. I always think I have to get started on my normal to-do list and that I can squeeze in exercising during nap time, but then something comes up and I go to bed at night without exercising. I’ve been doing a little better, but I want to get up to 6 days a week.
Thanks for the encouragement to just do it!
Oh, and the other area I’ve been procrastinating in is packing for our move. Well, today our move in date changed and we’re now moving in less than two weeks! Let’s just say I definitely need to jump on the whole packing thing 🙂
Chelsea says
I think you need to give yourself more grace when it comes to your running time. I have several runners in my family, and after every event they talk about how encouraging the other runners were who encouraged them to keep going and told them they were doing great- even as they got passed. My point is, even if your run was twice as long for the same distance, no one is going to put you down for that because it’s still something to be proud of! 🙂
Crystal says
You’re so sweet!
{And yes, on the grace thing… I need to constantly be working on that!}
Rachel Holland says
Great job Crystal!
I’m not a runner so I don’t know what a good time is – but 5.5 miles in one day sounds amazing to me and not pathetic in any way whatsoever! 🙂
Laura Jane @ Super Sweet Life says
I think your running time is fantastic! I run even slower, but, trust me, it’s still running. I feel like I’m about to die at the end (and the middle and the beginning for that matter)! What a timely posts. I actually skipped my workout this morning. I came up with several good excuses, but I could have done it if I had really been determined to.
Crystal says
You all are so kind and encouraging. I was a little scared to “put myself out there” in this post and you’ve reminded me just how amazing you all are as readers. Thank you, each of you! You bless me so much!
Tammy Skipper says
That time is FAR from pathetic. Great job and great encouragement, thanks for sharing with us 🙂
Annie says
I did this very thing this morning. Left my family in the beds at the hotel and hit the treadmill. Not something I ever thought I’d do, but I’m so happy I’ve made the effort and commitment. (Goes along with my word this year – Completion.)
Erin @ My Mommy World says
I think your run time is fantastic! (I run at about the same pace 😉 )
Carly says
I have to talk myself into running so often, but I am always glad that I do! Oh, and if you can run 5.5 miles in any time, you are no longer a wannabe runner in my mind. 🙂 I am slower than that usually – 11:30/12:00 min mile, so it takes me an hour to run 5 miles. A couple of weeks ago, I ran 7.5 miles, but it took 1 hour, 25 minutes. 🙂 Keep it up and thanks for the encouragement!
Johanna @ My Home Tableau says
Waking up early to run in the morning so this will motivate me even further to make sure I don’t flake out. 🙂
Crystal says
I’m rooting for you!
Heather says
I saw this from a FB page that I follow and I thought you would like commandment number 2. 🙂
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151426353397042&set=a.396494797041.174477.270724237041&type=1&theater
Crystal says
I stopped saying “I’m not a runner” when I ran a mile without stopping. Now I’ve moved up to “wannabe runner” — which is huge progress for the once totally non-runner me. 🙂
When I run my first 10K race, I’ve promised myself that I can drop the “wannabe” part. It’s looking very hopeful that that might be happening this year and I’m thrilled!!
Heather says
I just ran MY first 10K! What a great feeling! I have such a feeling of accomplishment! 🙂
Heather says
Also, off topic, but the day before I ran the 10K my husband and became DEBT FREE (besides the house, which we are working on.) Thanks to you and Dave Ramsey. 🙂
Crystal says
Talk about exciting stuff going on around your place. I’m so proud of you!!!!!
Crystal says
Yay!!!! Go you!
Keren says
Whenever anyone says “I’m not a runner,” I always thing of the book “Born to Run” by Christopher McDougall. You might find this book interesting. (Though, I still consider myself just a wannabe runner at this point, too. 🙂 I do most of my running on an elliptical.)
Love your reflection on the workout screen, too!
Heather says
Sorry, it’s not spam, I promise. It is 10 commandments of a runner and number two is “Thou shall never say I am not a runner.” If you run, you are a runner. 🙂
Lydia says
I am working on recovering a glider. But I have been putting it off. One cover a week is my goal. One down two to go!
Crystal says
You can do it!