I really want to get healthy… but I need to get healthy first

This phrase sometimes makes me want to punch things: “I really want to start working out with you or come to one of your classes, but I need to get in shape first.”

Really, when I hear this it’s sort of like in a Tarantino movie when the heroine first sees those who have betrayed her and that alarm noise comes on as if she’s about to explode.

OK maybe that’s too extreme, but I think you get the point. This phrase is an absurd statement. It’s like saying, “I really want to get healthy and I want you to help me, but give me like 6 months to get healthy first and then we’ll talk.”

While I completely understand where it comes from, this is also more where my anger comes from. The idea that people are so worried about what other people will think of them working hard to get healthy and reach a goal that is important to them that it would hinder their ability to move forward in life is just sad.

When someone tells me this I can figure out a few things:

1) The person can’t think of a better excuse to say they don’t want to work with me

2) The person is very self conscious and there are some inner things around that we need to work on before we can get to the real meat and potatoes of a fitness goal

3) The person would like to work with me, but part of them is a little afraid to go to the previously mentioned place in order to move forward.

4) The person has tried to achieve this particular goal many times before and is afraid of failure or has lost the belief in themselves that they can actually achieve this goal.

Usually, it’s a combination of all of these things. The overlying thing here is FEAR. And I am willing to argue it’s not so much fear of failure, it’s FEAR OF SUCCESS!

Why? Why would someone be afraid of succeeding? There are lots of reasons. Humans just have a tendency to limit the amount of pleasurable things we can feel and receive. Feeling great about your body and health is definitely on that list, and a huge road block for people because the truth is, being overweight and eating foods that are unhealthy keep people unconscious, keep them “safe”, and keep them feeling psychologically comfortable.

So if you find yourself saying to people that you’d like to start working out or eating better, but you “need to get healthy first”…. PAY MORE ATTENTION TO YOURSELF. Your body is crying out for you to do something. It might not even be to exercise or to eat better. There are many steps you can take to begin living a more healthful life like

· Focusing on sleeping better

· Go for walks outside when it’s nice and enjoy nature and life

· Working with a life coach/energy coach etc to help you move forward ( i.e. I do this sort of thing as well as fitness training)

· See a wonderful B.E.S.T. practitioner like Dr. Audrey

· Focus on doing one thing a day that makes you happy

· Hang out with friends and family

· Stay present

· Cherish life

I could go on and on. So, YES, exercise is an important part of feeling healthy and YES, eating well is also key, but the biggest factor is YOUR WILLINGNESS TO JUMP INTO THE UNKNOWN AND BE OPEN TO CHANGE AND POSSIBILITY. No expectations, no rules, no shoulds, no thinking, no efforting, all you have to do is be open to change and know that your openness will bring you the answers, messages, and guidance you need to get your body where it wants to be.