Nothing Is Too Small to Be a Big Deal

Last weekend I was back in PA to visit family and was having a conversation with my cousin, who is doing a trial on my app.

“Yeah I used it once, but then I just couldn’t keep it going.”

I asked if she was working out at home or in the gym, and she said she was trying to make it work at home.

Not getting up to work out because Vinnie is on my lap is an excuse…no matter what I tell myself.

“But my bedroom is too small, the basement is freezing and my husband is home all of the time right now and I don’t want to work out in the living room in front of him,” she said. Then, without me saying anything, she continued. “I know, I know – just a bunch of excuses.”

Our conversation was cut a bit short, but this is my answer (I know you’re reading this cuz…)

I don’t think any of the things mentioned above are excuses. I really don’t.

I think they’re limiting factors.

What’s the difference?

A quick google search gives the definition of excuse as: an attempt to defend or justify.

Explaining that you’re late for work for the 33rd day in a row because your dog wouldn’t get off your lap is an excuse (though in our house, it’s reason enough to get out of doing certain things….)

I never want to shove Angelo off my lap, but I absolutely can.

Limiting factors are things in our environment that can get in our way, or add a layer to the execution of a task.

For instance, let’s say that your goal is to walk 5k steps every day (click here if you want to join this week’s challenge in the Kim Lloyd Fitness Neighborhood on that one). If you live in an area with well-maintained sidewalks, then it’s likely a matter of putting on your shoes and going.

If you don’t have sidewalks and live on a busy road with no room to walk, then you need to:

A. Choose a place to walk – local gym treadmill? Mall? Trails?

B. Negotiate the weather – if you live in the Northeast, it’s been pouring lately.

C. Have a means to get to the place to walk. Do you have a car?

D. Factor in the time to drive to the place, get your walk in, and drive back.

The thing about physical fitness is that it doesn’t occur in a vacuum, but the industry makes it feel that way. Our environment, social situation, emotional health, and mental health all affect each other.

So what does that mean?

I think it's the difference between feeling shame for not executing on a task and realizing that in order to make a physical change, it might mean making some environmental changes first.

If you want to workout at home but are struggling, can you create a space that feels comfortable? Get heat in the basement, kick the hubby out for a few hours, find a different space where you can put down an exercise mat, put on some music and make it yours for 20 minutes? (I'm not just talking to my cousin here..)

If the answer is no, can you join a gym?

The thing is, when it comes to making behavior change, nothing is too small to feel like a big deal.