Have you heard? It’s Guest Bloggers’ Week! And today Meadoe Hora is sharing five ways to fight workout excuses. Meadoe is the woman behind the blog Out on a Limb. She is not a personal trainer or a exercise fanatic. Meadoe is just a normal, working mom trying to be healthier. She doesn’t focus on perfection, but rather consistency. She loves trying new things and shares her adventures in fitness and cooking, as well as helps and gives advice on some at-home fitness programs.

Today, I almost didn’t go for a run because I was having a great hair day. I’m not kidding. In my defense, my hair usually looks crazy and disheveled. Not today though. I must have stumbled upon the perfect humidity-to-hair-product ratio. It was good. I actually thought “Wow. I should take a selfie.” I didn’t, but I thought about it.

Credit: meadoeoutonalimb.com

Anyway, it got me thinking of all the excuses I come up with to talk myself out of running or working out. I am my own worst enemy sometimes. Here are some of my excuses:

• It’s too cold.
• It’s too hot.
• I just ate.
• I haven’t eaten yet.
• It’s windy.
• It’s sunny.
• I’m sleepy.
• I’ll just walk the dogs. It’s the same thing. (Um, no. I have two older basset hounds, not greyhounds.)
• I don’t feel like getting my jog bra out of the dryer in the basement. (Really?)
• I should really clean something. (Um, okay?)
• I’ll go tomorrow.
• I don’t have time.

I think we can agree that those are all pretty much bullshit. So, how do I get out there when my brain is fighting against me?

5 Ways to Fight Workout Excuses

• Think of why you started. I don’t mean the “I want to lose X pounds and get in shape” goal. That’s an empty goal. I’m talking about the reason behind the goal. Why do you want to get in shape? What will it improve in your life? Me? I want to feel comfortable in my skin.
• Think of how you will feel afterwards. That relaxed, sweaty post-run feeling is what I use to battle my excuses. You know you will feel better afterwards. Just do it.
• Think of how it will make your life better. Will it ease stress, make you focused, help you fit into those jeans in your closet?
• Trickery. I tell myself to just start and if I am not feeling it, I can turn around or take a really short run. Once I’m out there, I almost always do my full route.
• I’m not above bribery. I have a playlist that I only listen to when I run. It’s full of my guilty pleasure songs and music I can’t listen to with my family. If I want to listen to Rihanna tell her guy to shut up and drive or CeeLo Green say “F You” to his ex-girlfriend, I need to put on some running shoes. (Just don’t bribe yourself with food — that’s counter-productive.)

Today, I didn’t get in my own way. I got my cute hair all sweaty and enjoyed an unseasonably warm day. I was glad I went. Success is about choices. You have to choose between what’s easiest and what’s best and also between what you want now and what you want long-term. It’s hard sometimes to see the big picture. Today, I thought of my new jeans and kept the big picture in mind. Hopefully, my hair sacrifice today will lead to better things. Maybe instead of a good hair day, I will have a good ass day when I wear those jeans. Maybe several good ass days. Who doesn’t want a good ass day?

What excuses do you tell yourself? I’d love to hear them. Comment below and tell me about it. And check out my other guest post over on Fit Bottomed Mamas here! —Meadoe Hora