I hate excuses.

Which is why the above picture is of one of the walls at my gym.

I tolerate “reasons” for failure for a period of time, but not excuses.

What’s the difference?

Let me tell you a story.

Chuck travels a lot for work.

He is on the run nonstop.

Airport to airport, meeting to meeting, and hotel to hotel.

The majority of his meals are either on the go or in a restaurant.

Chuck is in the heat of a fitness transformation and he wants to stay on plan to help him achieve the changes he is looking for with his body.

To his credit, he stays on plan the majority of the time and sees good progress, but once in awhile he reports back when things have not gone so well.

Does Chuck give me excuses or reasons for his lack of compliance?

If he gave me EXCUSES it may sound something like this:

• I couldn’t get enough protein on this trip because my flight left so early one morning that I didn’t have time to pack my protein powder.
• The airport didn’t have a healthy food option near my gate during my layover, so I got snacks from a vending machine.
• The stewardess was giving everyone pop on the flight so I drank it.
• My client in Atlanta insisted we go to a Mexican restaurant so there was no way I could eat on plan.
• The hotel gym only had cardio equipment and the program you gave me only involves weights so I skipped my workouts.

Now, if Chuck gave REASONS for doing the same off-plan things, it may sound something like this:

• I didn’t get enough protein on this trip because I didn’t take the time to pack my powder before my early morning flight.
• I didn’t feeling like walking across the airport concourse to go to a healthy cafe so I got snacks from a vending machine.
• I was craving pop on the flight so I took it when the stewardess offered.
• My client in Atlanta insisted we go to a Mexican restaurant. I didn’t want to ask for a meal modification, so I ate off-plan.
• The hotel gym only had cardio equipment and I was tired this week so I didn’t bother asking you for a program modification.

What do you notice about excuses vs. reasons?

Accountability and blame.

When someone makes excuses, they do not take accountability and they place the blame on other people or things.

When a person gives reasons, they are accountable for their actions and take at least a piece of the blame.

• Just because a flight is early doesn’t mean you can blame it for your lack of preparation.
• At least the airport had a healthy option. Start walking.
• Buy a bottle of water to drink before you get on your flight.
• Unless you are literally having dinner at a bakery, there is ALWAYS a “healthier” route you can take when ordering your food.
• When a hotel gym isn’t ideal, modify the workout or start booking a hotel that has a gym that meets your needs.

For every excuse a person makes in fitness, there is a real reason that points back to something they did or didn’t do.

I don’t expect all clients to be perfect.

Especially when they are learning the ropes and strategies of staying on-plan in difficult situations. This is why a person giving reasons for making mistakes early on is understandable.

You just have to learn that for every mistake you make, there was an option that could have helped you avoid it.

Those that continually try to blame their failures on others will not succeed.

Side note: Chuck is not actually real and his story is not necessarily based on actual events.

If you have any questions I can help you with, feel free to email me at: JwaltersPT@gmail.com

I answer all emails.

Or to learn more, visit: JonWalters.CO