Running Out of Excuses

It cost too much.  I don't know anyone else there.  I don't know how to use the equipment.  I want to spend more time with my family.  I don't have the right shoes.  I don't want all the women to flirt with me.

These are my reasons, my excuses for not joining the new gym that is two blocks from my house. (Okay the last ones a stretch, but it 'could' happen)  This gym has multiple pools, several basketball courts, cardio areas, spa, indoor track, weight room that would rival most college football programs, and my favorite, racquetball courts.  I've bought day passes on several occasions but have not been ready to make the full commitment.  Yesterday I read a flyer from them that said they were dropping membership rates to $12.50 a month.  No strings attached, no extra fees.  So I'm running out of excuses for not joining.

So why don't I just join?  What's wrong with me?  Surely I can spare 4 Starbucks a month so that I can get healthy and regain my youthful physique.  (By the way, thanks Ronnin for reminding me that I don't have the same 'body shape' I did when we first got married.)  As I cut through the thick jungle of excuses desperately searching for the root of my procrastination, I realized I was actually just looking for new and better reasons to keep the gym membership goal just outside my grasp.

You see, I really don't want to change my schedule.  I like to sleep until my boys wake me up in the morning.  I like to come home from work, and be done working.  I like to go to bed at night, and not feel totally exhausted from moving pieces of metal a few inches at a time.  I'm OK with who I am, and I really cherish my time.  So no, the gym membership is not going to happen.

I'm scratching this one off of my New Year's list.   Not as a completed goal but more importantly as a goal I never wanted to achieve in the first place.  A goal that isn't mine to achieve.  I'm happy to have the extra time to sleep, spend time with the family, and read an extra book or two.  Hey, I can still make those trips to Starbucks as well.  I'm starting to feel like I did just reach a goal!!!

So I bless you to let yourself off the hook.  Fail on purpose at the ridiculous and focus on the things that resonate with you and impact those closest to you.