Obstacles....

I've had several conversations over past week with people that all start something like this:

"I'm going to start my diet next week because my Mom's in town this weekend." or "I really want to start a new running program, but the weather is getting ready to turn nasty, so I guess I have to wait until the Spring." or "I don't know how you do it, I don't have a single extra second in my day, much less an hour to spend at the gym everyday." "There is too much going on right now for me to even think about losing weight. But I'm going to start as soon as life settles down."

Do those sound familiar? Have you ever said something like that? I have. For years and years I thought I didn't have time, money, support, opportunity. You name it and I've used it as an excuse.

You know the truth, though? The truth was I didn't want to. That's right. I didn't want it badly enough. I said I did and I truly believed I did, but when it came right down to it, I didn't want it enough to make it a priority.

Life happens. Every single day. And it will continue to happen every day until we're six feet under. Just as there is "no right time to have a baby." There is no right time to start a new healthy life style. If you wait for that perfect time, you're gonna be waitin' an awfully looooonng time.

So, let me ask you this ~ if your mother is coming into town and you want to start next week what will you do the next time she comes into town? Will you throw your new lifestyle out the window and start all over again when she leaves? If you start running in the Spring are you going to quit again next Fall when the rain sets in?

I'm going to give you some highlights from my calendar over the next few months:

• Husband travels for work non stop. You already knew that. That's just part of my life, I feel silly even mentioning it.
• I homeschool = busy busy mama with no child free hours in her day (24/7 ~ see above fact).
• Sept 23-28 My mom is in town
• Oct 14-18 I'm back in my hometown visiting family
• Oct 20-24 Hubby is on a hunting trip with his friends
• Mondays ~ Aikido training (boys) 4:30-5:30, Chess Club 6:30-8:00
• Tuesdays & Thursday Boy #1 swim practice 4:30-6:30, Boy #2 swim lessons 6:00-6:30
• Saturdays ~ Aikido training 10:45-11:45
• Sundays ~ no child care at gym, can't go

This is normal. This is life. I can't wait for it to slow down because it doesn't. My time is NOW. I'm finished with throwing up obstacles.

So I'm going to challenge you all ~ if you are waiting for that perfect moment to make a change in your life ~ take three days and write down everything you do in your day. From the moment your feet hit the floor until your head hits the pillow, write it all down. Be honest here, I'm not going to ask to see your list! :)

These are the things you are allowing to trump your health. Eating ~ yea, that needs to take priority. Feeding/bathing/caring for the children ~ yup, that's up there too. An hour on Facebook ~ hhhmmm....?? Watching a movie after the kids go to sleep? I don't know. Maybe these things are more important to you than making changes. If they are, that's ok. Only you can decide your priorities. No one is judging you for them.

But I'm willing to guess you've never actually sat down and thought about them. I know I hadn't.