Just Do It

Nike's Just Do It has to be one of my all time favorite slogans. I find myself repeating it to myself quite frequently. It doesn't just apply to exercise, but rather it goes for any task that I want to achieve, but somehow feel lazy to push forward and get them done.

I always kinda shake my head at myself when I find myself in a situation where I know what I want - like I want to lose weight - but then I do something that does not fall in line with working towards that goal. If I want it, surely I'll work for it, right? What is it in my head that starts the thought process of -- nah, you can get to it later/you don't have to?

Some people have commented (on my blog and in emails) how they don't know how I get through my exercise routines, especially on days when I've worked out for almost 4 hours.

All I say to myself is: Just Do It.

I know I want this. I know that I have the physical ability to do this -- all the other excuses are in my head.

In the mornings I sometimes feel lazy but I tell myself - Just do it - you'll feel so much better once it's done. Plus I know if I don't get my workout in and something comes up later and I don't make it to the gym, I'll feel like crap.

When I'm at the gym and I look at the treadmill after my weights workout and think - man, I'm exhausted, I really don't want to run -- I tell myself, Just do it - If you don't do it now (and running really is something I want to achieve) then you'll never get it done. You need to work at it if you want to progress.

After coming home in the afternoon and doing things around the house plus relaxing a bit, it's sometimes a struggle to get back up again and get ready to workout. There's nothing else to really say to myself other than Just do it. If I want to lose weight, if I want to get stronger, if I want to improve my technique and build up my skills, then I have to work for it. I have to put in the effort. I have to Just do it.

Thinking about food and preparing a nutritious, delicious, clean, and healthy meal can sometimes be tedious. Chopping vegetables takes time. Washing up takes time. Wouldn't it just be easier to eat out? It would, but then I wouldn't feel good. I know that I would end up regretting it. I also know that whatever extra calories I consumed would mean extra time at the gym. So instead, I get out those vegetables and start chopping. Just do it!! Within half an hour, a great meal can be prepared and enjoyed. No guilt. All good clean food. No excuses. Just do it.

For my 60 burpees a day challenge, when I'm on my 25th burpee and I'm breathing hard and drenched in sweat, I tell myself - Just do it; 5 more and get to 30; then at 30 I say, you're halfway there, just do it; then at 40 (which is when it gets quite a bit more challenging), I tell myself - Just do it, one at a time, you're almost done; at 50 I tell myself, come on, push through, what's another 10 burpees -- Just do it!!

I do it. I'm exhausted, but I feel great.

I've written about the mental struggle to lose weight quite a lot (as have other people in the blogging world). It really is about conquering your mind and knowing that not only do you have the strength and capability to Just do it, but also you deserve to do it for yourself.

It has taken me a long time to get to this point. I should have done it a long time ago. I know I tried many times, but I never made it because my head wasn't in the right place. You have to believe that you can do it and believe that the effort is worth it ... and on days when you just don't feel like it - tell yourself to Just do it anyway.

Your life is in your hands. You are in control. You CAN do this. Be brave. Be Bold. Just Do It. 

Today's Exercise
General: Martial arts conditioning exercises (15 minutes) + jump rope
Weights: NROL Workout 5A (45 minutes)
Cardio: HIIT on treadmill (15 minutes)
MMA training: Taekwondo and Jiujitsu (1 1/2 hour)

Today's Food
Breakfast: 3 dates + 1 tablespoon of peanut butter; banana
Lunch: Leftover chili from last night with 1/4 cup of rice
Dinner: Tuna burger (homemade) on a portobello mushroom
Snacks: 2 walnuts, 3 almonds, 2 raisins