No.

I do not feel like it!

I just wanted to order room service, turn on the TV, and sink into the bed.

It had been a long day, and the last thing I wanted to do was start exercising.

But there I was, sitting in my hotel room, staring at the dumbbells in front of me on the floor.

I’d brought them with me from home on this work trip. Admittedly, most people don’t bring their own weights when traveling or just use the hotel gym. But this was part of my goal to work out at least four days per week, no matter what. By having them with me in my room, I eliminated all excuses (the gym was closed, it was too late, too crowded, etc.).

That was important. These 25-lbs. dumbbells were helping me honor my commitment (to myself and my friend and accountability partner, Amy) to be in the best shape of my life by my 45^th birthday.

But that seminal birthday was still a few months away, so it would be fine if I missed just one day, right? I mean, I could just double-up workouts tomorrow, and it was just one day!

As the weight of the dumbbells made depressions in the hotel carpet and the weight of me sank further and further into the comfortable bed, a thought occurred to me that snapped me into action.

Yes, it was one day. But that’s all we really have – one day. We can’t control tomorrow. ‘Can’t control how we’ll look or feel (or even if we’ll still be around) by our next birthday. So, all we have in front of us that we really can impact is TODAY.

And one day easily becomes two, and two becomes the whole week, and pretty soon, we’ve set and entrenched some bad habits.

Commitment lost. Goal missed. Momentum gone.

And for what? I had the time, the opportunity, and no more excuses with the dumbbells staring back at me.

Get moving!

So, I logged onto the Peloton app, loaded the workout, and exercised hard for the 50 minutes I had committed.

Man, did it feel good. Not only did I enjoy the post-workout rush of endorphins, but I’d honored my promise to myself. That meant everything.

It’s a slippery slope, making commitments. Too often, our mind tries to talk us out of them. We negotiate, bargain, look for a back door. But to shut off that dissenting negative voice and honor what we’d promised ourselves holds power.

I have always believed that one missed commitment leads to so many others. It’s not that individual task or action that matters, but the fact that you let that negative voice win.

So, you have to take a stand, quieting that voice by sticking to your commitments and taking action. Soon, positive habits are solidified, and you have some serious momentum.

Only THEN will you see real change in your life.

Before jumping in the shower, I rolled the dumbbells to the side. I’ll wake up half an hour early and get a workout in before starting work, I committed to myself.

After all, April – and my birthday – will be here sooner than I know it, and I WOULD reach my goal – one day and one choice at a time.

– J.D.