We rarely have everything we need to achieve our goals. For an education, it may be money. For our physical fitness and performance, it might be access to a gym or a coach. As a result, we give up (fail) before we start. Excuses are easy. Achieving goals (anything that stands on the edge of unreasonable) is hard. “Hard” is no reason to not try.
Circumstances may not be in our favor. Then change what you can about your circumstances. Opportunity costs. You may have to sacrifice time and/or money spend on doing other things—things that are unimportant to the plan. Make do with what little you have until you can get more of what you need.
There is much education to be found at the public library (yes, those do still exist). When you need more, begin with your local community college or a less-unaffordable regional college/university. Take more time if you need to for the completion of your degree to avoid debt. Delay education to work and save. Consider the military. Research financial aid and assistance.
Likewise, with physical performance goals, look at what you have available to you. There is much you can do at home without equipment. (Don’t believe me, look at some of the “Jailhouse” routines developed by incarcerated exercisers.) Unsafe to exercise outside? Consider what you can do inside—maybe walking the stairs in your home or apartment complex. No weights? Use your bodyweight. Need a gym but “can’t afford” one. Look closely at your budget. Can you find $10 a month? Countless gyms cost as little as that (not, however, that they are not always gyms that are going to be the most encouraging for you to come on a regular basis). Invest in a home gym. Start with the bare minimum (e.g., an off-brand Olympic set or buy used). Expand as you can. Learn to do-it-yourself. There are plenty of YouTube videos to show you how. (Need inspiration? Look for videos of bodybuilders in third-world countries working out in homemade gyms.)
Can’t afford “healthy” food? To begin with, simply eating less of what you can afford will put you on track to losing weight. Second, “healthy” need not be expensive. In may require more effort and planning (i.e., it won’t be convenient). It may be boring, but…. Buy in bulk and prepare in bulk. Focus on the foods that are most nutrient dense and affordable. Carrots and broccoli are great examples. Rice and oats are great choices for grains. Pasta, if you need carbs. Chicken and eggs are great protein sources. Beans are a cheap and filling food. Need extra protein? Looking into whey protein at a cost per serving basis. If the goal is to get leaner, then the goal is to consume fewer calories. Eat what fills you and will delay hunger. Get variety as you are able, but one can get used to boredom. Don’t fall victim to “dollar meals.” Fast food and processed food may be cheap, but it will leave you wanting more. Boring healthy food will not.
What other goals are you considering? What are your needs? Are they “needs” or “wants”. There is nothing wrong with having “wants”, but we should always want within our means—perhaps a bit beyond our current means with the desire and will to work and sacrifice for what we want.
For those of us who can we should be focused on providing opportunity and means for those who can’t (that is, those of inadequate means and opportunity). Mentor. Demand community access. Lead.
Be your best today; be better tomorrow.
Carpe momento!!