I don’t have time.

I can’t afford it.

I love food too much.

I don’t know where to begin.

Everyone has excuses for why they’re not losing weight, but the truth is there’s only one thing standing in the way of your weight loss goals: YOU. Any excuse can be overcome. It won’t necessarily be easy, but isn’t your health worth it? Here’s how to beat some of the most common weight loss excuses:

1. I don’t have time to exercise. Who does? We all have only 24 hours to work with each day. The trick is learning to prioritize. You will find time for what’s most important to you…so is your health important? Replace an energy-sucking time-waster – like the 28 times per day you check Facebook or the marathon of soap operas you watch in the afternoon – with a workout.
2. I can’t afford to eat healthy or join a gym. The gym isn’t cheap, I get it. But who needs a gym? There are plenty of workouts that can be done with bodyweight or heavy items around the house, and cardio can be done the old-fashioned way: by running around the block. As for food, think about how much money you’ll save when you cut out junk food like soda, chips, and candy. Why not reinvest that money in healthier options? Besides, produce is actually cheaper, per serving, than any other food.
3. I love to eat. So does everyone else, regardless of their size. You don’t have to give up eating to lose weight – and you shouldn’t! Not only is it extremely unhealthy to starve yourself, it’s also counterproductive to your weight loss goals. Don’t stop eating, just start eating smarter. Choose healthier foods, eating at optimum times, and watch your portion size.
4. I don’t know where to start. Any new project seems daunting at first. Instead of focusing on the big picture, which might seem unachievable, break it down into smaller tasks. Start eating right by clearing all the bad foods out of your kitchen. Kick off a new exercise habit by taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Add small changes little by little, and eventually they’ll add up to a major transformation.

Will it always be easy? Of course not. Weight loss is hard, but so is staying overweight. It takes a toll on you physically, mentally, financially, and emotionally. When you think about it that way, can you afford not to get healthy?

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