What's Your Excuse?

"The person who really wants to do something finds a way; the other person finds an excuse" – Unknown

A while back, I read a Facebook status update where someone commented that they went to the gym and saw an older man working out that had an oxygen tank. I'm not sure if the intent of the post was in humor, but unfortunately, most of the follow on comments found the situation to be funny. It's probably an uncommon sight at a gym, but I didn't see much humor.

I have to admit that it bothered me that people found it to be hilarious. It didn't come as a complete surprise, but it still bothered me. I guess what bothered me was that the inspiration I felt from this older gentleman wasn't shared. Instead, he became the subject of a joke. His courageous act became laughable.

Here is someone that wanted to get some exercise. He refused to make excuses, even though life presented him with a pretty good one. He could have easily thought it was too much trouble to exercise while having to wheel around an oxygen tank. He could have also used the fact that he was older, and that perhaps along with oxygen that there was really no point. But, he didn't! He erased all the excuses and went to the gym.

There are so many younger and more able-bodied people that create excuses for not exercising. Unlike our friend with the oxygen tank, they are perfectly capable of working out without any restrictions, but they don't. They don't have time, or they have a bad [insert body part here]. I was recently asked, "How does someone with a bad knee do a squat"? I responded that the person with the bad knee still sits at a table to eat (squat), they sit on a toilet (squat), and they probably sit in a car (squat). So, they already squat everyday. But, if you ask that same person to come to a gym, their "bad knee" prevents them from exercising. Certainly in a gym setting these people wouldn't be doing weighted squats, and the range of motion would be decreased. But, they can and do squat...

What about missing body parts? Just like our friend with the oxygen tank who refuses to give up, there are many people with missing body parts that are still leading very active and athletic lives. Coinciding with the Olympic games is the Paralympic Games. These contests are full of people who don't make excuses. They don't just sit back and complain about their situation. They take action! They don't just have "bad" parts - they are missing limbs and in wheelchairs, and still they perform at a higher level than your average person with all their parts. Why? One in particular is two-time Paralympic 100m champion, Marlon Shirley.

At age 5 Marlon's left foot was cut off by a lawn mower. Years later, as a result of a high school football injury, he had more of the lower section of the same leg amputated. Later, after setting records in the 100m dash - he had reconstructive knee surgery and suffered a torn achilles during a race (a race in which he still finished). He has always displayed an unbeatable courage that has made him one of the most successful U.S Paralympians.

Marlon didn't just accept the fact that he lost a foot and make excuses, just as the man didn't let having to wheel an oxygen tank around the gym stop him from exercising. So, if a man can work out with an oxygen mask, and another man can set running records without the bottom section of a leg, let me ask you. What's your excuse?

David E. Cox, ACE-CPT, is a personal trainer that has dedicated his life to helping to improve the lives of others through exercise and healthy living. He is owner of Positive Vibes Fitness, a private personal training studio in Glen Burnie, MD where we educates, motivates, and inspires people from all walks of life. For more tips, healthy recipes, and more - be sure and sign up for his monthly eNewsletter, The Vibe, at www.positivevibesfitness.com