Reasons or excuses?

As I dragged my tired self into the gym at 1:30 am this morning, I was thinking of all the reasons I could use for not going. I was tired and a little sleepy. I had been awake for nearly sixteen hours. I still had to drive for about thirty minutes to get to my house and a workout would mean getting home after 3am. I shouldn't even have spent the money for this challenge because I am unemployed and $50 a month with a $100 down payment is kinda huge. Healthy food is more expensive than filler foods. All of these sound like good reasons for either skipping this session at the gym or not getting started at all.
WRONG!!
These are excuses. These are the enemy of progress. They all make sense and can be used as a crutch to lean upon as just cause for not making a start to do something different physically in my life. So, how do we get past these 'reasons'?
1. Bull through it. Keep your eyes on what your goal is and refuse to let anything stop you from going for it.
2. Reward yourself. As an example, if I make all 3 scheduled sessions at the gym, after the third session, I get to splurge on a smoothie.
3. Get accountable. Find a friend that knows what you are trying to do and let that person be your conscience regarding this goal. Knowing you have to face those who are standing with you on your goals makes it difficult to quit.
4. Think farther ahead than the moment you are in. Realize that if I fail to exercise now or eat healthier foods in better portions, later, I will have huge medical bills and it's going to be very difficult to attract a wife when I am grossly overweight and unhealthy. Not to mention that employers are not impressed with potential employees that don't take care of their health.

There are probably more ideas out there for breaking excuses and the hold they have on our lives. I am far from knowledgeable about them all, because I still find myself yielding to some. Basically, you just have to realize that you CAN do what you are trying to do. Remember what God's word tells us: I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:13)

Note* This principle of breaking excuses can be applied to other parts of life than healthy living.