A few years ago I came up with a term to describe a behavior pattern which is rampant in the United States.  Excusitis is a condition which manifests in many forms.  It is seen in the woman who states that since she has had children her body will never be in shape again.  It is seen in the man who has always been overweight but who has also always had a weakness for fast food.  I have heard so many reasons (rationalizations really, and based on crooked logic) why people can’t or won’t get into shape.

Truth be told, making a decision to be fit can be challenging since it requires a person to be held accountable for unhealthy patterns and behaviors.  But it also empowers a person and makes him or her aware of the true potential within.  I know that sounds corny, but it’s true.  The first decision to be made is to be serious about getting fit.  Then, as with any goal, it is important to be specific, outlining specific fitness goals and putting a timeline in place.  Next, finding experts and resources to help along in the journey are critical.  Be wary of fad diets which promise rapid weight loss, programs which have a minimal amount of exercise, and those which consist of severe calorie restriction followed by returning to a client’s previous method of eating.

To be truly fit, there must be a mental shift which directs someone towards making lifestyle changes which will reprogram the individual and obliterate old patterns.  Over time, cravings for unhealthy foods will dissipate, and a transformation will occur in the mind as well as the body.  It’s a magical thing.