You Can Have Excuses or You Can Have Results - But You Can’t Have Both
You Can Have Excuses or You Can Have Results - But You Can’t Have Both
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with so many brilliant and lovely people, helping them improve their health, their fitness, their lifestyle, and even the way they show up in their businesses. And after all that time, one thing’s crystal clear: I’ve heard every excuse there is.
“I can’t change, it’s just how I’m built.”
“I’ll do it when I have more time.”
“I’ve tried before, and nothing worked.”
“I hate the gym.”
“It’s too expensive.”
“I just don’t have what it takes.”
“It’s in my genes!”
"You can have results or excuses. Not both!" - Arnold Schwarzenegger
You’ve probably said or thought at least one of these yourself. And if you have, you’re not alone. The statistics back it up. When people are asked why they aren’t prioritising their health, fitness, or wellbeing, their responses are consistent.
Work commitments are the top reason, especially for men. A large number say they simply don’t have enough leisure time. Many admit they lack motivation. Others are focused on caring for family members, and financial pressure is a factor, too. These are all understandable. Life is full. Calendars are stacked. Responsibilities weigh heavily. But here’s the thing. You can have your excuses, or you can have your results. You can’t have both.
What actually makes the difference, then? When asked what would encourage them to prioritise their health, people often say they’d do more if they had more free time. Some say they’d wait until their health deteriorated before acting. Others believe they’d need more motivation or a push from a doctor to get started.
So in many cases, people aren’t resistant to change. They’re just waiting. Waiting for time to appear. Waiting for a scare. Waiting for someone to give them permission. But here’s what no one tells you: you don’t need more time. You need more clarity.
There are things that are outside of your control. Your genetics, for example, do play a role. You were born with a certain biological makeup, and that won’t change. You can’t reverse your age either, even though some of us don’t always act it. Your gender also has an impact on how your body responds to food, movement, recovery, and lifestyle habits.
Things You Can't Change
But there’s also a list of things that are very much within your control. These are the levers you can pull, no matter your starting point, and no matter how chaotic life feels. You can change your lifestyle. You decide what kind of routines you want to live by. You set your own boundaries. You determine how you balance work, rest, and play.
You can choose the food you put in your body. Every decision you make about what and when you eat is shaping your energy, your focus, your mood, and your long-term health. You control your recovery. You get to decide whether you build in proper rest or try to run on fumes. And let’s be honest, recovery isn’t a luxury... It’s a necessity.
You also control how you move. If you don’t like the gym, that’s fine. Walk, cycle, stretch, dance, use bodyweight exercises at home. It all adds up. And finally, motivation isn’t something you wait for. It’s something you build, one step at a time. The more you move, the better you eat, the more consistently you show up, the more motivated you become. Action leads to momentum.
Things You Can Change
All of these decisions, made consistently over time, will have a massive impact—not just on your physical body, but on your mental clarity, your business performance, and your personal confidence. The reason most people stay stuck isn’t because they’re lazy. It isn’t because they don’t want it enough. And it’s certainly not because they’re incapable. They stay stuck because they’ve been taught to wait. Wait for the time. Wait for motivation. Wait until rock bottom. Wait for permission.
The people who succeed decide. They don’t wait until it’s easy. They start when it’s messy. They start before they’re ready. And they built the momentum they thought they were waiting for. You don’t have to change everything at once. Just something. Start with what’s doable. Start with a walk. Start by drinking more water. Start by going to bed half an hour earlier. Start with whatever fits into your life right now. Because it’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent.
You’re capable of more than you give yourself credit for. The question is not whether you can change. The question is whether you’re finally ready to stop repeating the same excuses—and start getting the results you actually want.
It’s your move.
