Well, as I anticipated last night, my day was much better today.  I started the morning with an 8.5 mile hike in which I set a personal record.  When I got done I walked back up the trail to meet some of my group  and was able to add another 4 miles to my distance.  This was before breakfast so I feel like I got off to a pretty good start to the day.

Today I was thinking about some of the struggles I have had with my weight and other personal things.  I was thinking about how I was coming up with excuses as to why I was in the situation.  The reasons I had given myself seem pretty good at the time but today all they were were excuses.

We are funny beings.  Many of us will think of all of our excuses before we ever begin an endeavor.  "I've tried everything" seems to be a favorite for those of us that struggle with weight.  As soon as we face a little difficulty we automatically say to ourselves; "See, I knew this would happen.

What would happen if we stopped making excuses?  How amazing could our lives be?  What could we accomplish?  Unfortunately, many people will never know because they are too comfortable making excuses and blaming others for their position in life.

Let me share a couple of stories I have heard this week and then you ask yourself how good your excuses are.  On Monday I ate supper with a lady who has a pacemaker.  It keeps her heart beating.  She has had several struggles with health in her life, wears a pacemaker that is implanted in  her body, and she does marathons.  Oh yeah, she also tears it up here during the workouts.  How good is your excuse sounding now?

Need some more?  I had dinner tonight with a gentleman who has survived two devastating car wrecks.  He has lived for months in a halo for a broken neck.  He has been paralyzed and had doctors he was going to live on pain narcotics for ever.  He is here doing every workout and taking care of himself even after the doctors had pretty much written him off.  He may have one of the best excuses I have ever heard, but you know what?  He chooses not to make any.  He simply does the best he can.  His goal is to get healthy so that he can be an example to his grown children.

There are other great stories here, but I'm not going to share anymore.  If hearing those two don't show that we need to stop making excuses as to why we can't do something and focus on why we can, not much will.  I, for one, am going to really think about how I justify any difficult situation I am in before I throw out some lame excuse as to why I am creating my situation from now on.

Next time things are a little tough I want you to ask yourself, "Just how good is my excuse?"  I promise I will.