Don’t worry this isn’t a post about a weekend full of bad decisions, (Mom you can relax 😉 ) it’s about the cycle many of us are stuck in.
Let’s start with exercise.
Exercise is the answer to a lot of our problems—and something we know we should be partaking in regularly. When I say, “exercise” I’m using it more as an umbrella term for all of our fitness-related goals; whether they be fat loss or performance-based.
There are many different belief systems when it comes to exercise. But I would say that the most common belief is that adding more exercise is the best way to get results.
Fitness marketing prays on this belief, regularly stressing (through photography, videos and ad copy) that the only people who achieve results are the ones willing to push themselves to the point complete exhaustion.
When you pair feeling like you’re not doing enough with a false understanding of what you should be doing, you create a big gap filled with confusion and disappointment; which tends to leave you feeling discouraged.
I encourage you not fall victim to the belief that you need to train harder and do more to see results. The truth is you likely need the opposite – implementing recovery strategies, learning how to chill the $*@# out, and learning how to trust the process. <= a key factor in the exercise process.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m all for pushing limits and kick ass workouts, but it’s not the only thing your program should include. Your program should be strategic and include exactly what you need right now. Something that will be different for everyone.
Chocolate
For some it may actually be chocolate, but really what I’m referring to here when I say “chocolate” is weaknesses, self-doubt, and self-sabotage.
Our weaknesses and self-doubt are often the very things that keep us from achieving any of our desired pursuits. They prevent us from starting a task, keep us from finishing it, and, in some cases, lead us to self-sabotage.
When things are going well, many of us are hit with an overwhelming uncomfortable feeling that causes us to pull the shoot and quit. We all do it. You being conscious of it, then making strides to not fall victim to it, is the only way to overcome it.
I encourage you to reflect on your past 6 months with this concept in mind. How many times did you throw in the towel due to fear?
You will only ever get what you feel you deserve.
Doubting yourself will only keep you from achieving the things that you truly want.
We all have self-imposed limits that cause us to hold back. I know for myself it’s easier to accept failure (or lack of success) when I don’t go all in on something and actually try. However my experience with this is that playing it safe only ever leaves you trying to feel “ok” with mediocre… and who wants to be mediocre, really?
Let’s be honest with ourselves for a second: How often do you truly push yourself outside of your comfort zone and make confident strides to…
- Move forward in your career, or drive your business forward
- Be THE athlete you know you can be
- Give 110% to your workout, every time
- Be committed to eating well and actually doing that 90% of the time
- Showing true appreciation in the relationships in your life
The reality for many of us is that we half-ass it. We put limited effort into the things that we want in life, and get sub par results. If that’s not bad enough, we also have our own tendency for self-sabotage to make damn sure we end in failure.
Don’t let the noise in your head keep you from striving for the things that you want in life. If you decide that you want something (I mean, truly want it) go after it! Prove to yourself that you can do it. The more you ignore your self-doubt, the easier it will be to tune it out.
The Morning After Pill
I probably could have picked a better metaphor, but I’m just going to roll with this one.
Okay let me explain. You’ve made a bad decision, which leads you to implement some sort of damage control to rectify it. However, as is the way with damage control, your “solution” doesn’t move you forward, it only takes care of the mishap. It’s a bandaid of sorts that gives you peace of mind in the moment, but weighs on you in the long-run because deep down you know you shouldn’t have made the mistake in the first place.
Your choice of damage control will depend on what form of sedation you choose. Doing hours of cardio, forcing yourself to go on some sort of restrictive diet or cleanse, not socializing, being angry, feeling bad…we tend to find many clever ways to quietly punish ourselves.
But at what cost, and for what result?
This is the time where I’m suppose to tell you to…
- Set realistic goals (which is important)
- Stop dieting and practice moderation and incorporate more whole foods (not a bad idea)
- Work on changing one habit at a time (any more is too many)
- Hire a coach for accountability <= This one I’m owning. You should do it!
But today I’m not going there… Instead, I’m going to challenge you and say all you need to do is make a decision, and that decision is the answer to this question: do you want it?
If you really want something, you’ll find a way.
If you really want to do something, you do it.
If you’re one of those people who talks about wanting to do things, but always finds an excuse not to (I don’t how to, I don’t have time to, I don’t have the money, etc.) I suggest shifting your thinking. Instead of focusing on why you cant do something, think about what you want and why. Then go from there.
Do yourself a favour and take a moment to be honest with yourself and consider whether or not you actually want the things you say you want? It’s okay not to. You just need to accept it, move on and refocus your energy on the things you actually do.
If you’re not excited to crush a goal, it’s probably because it’s not your goal.
Once you outline what you want in a way that makes it actually important to you, you gain accountability; and this is how you will get the results you’re after, for real this time.
Be honest about what you want and do the things you say you are going to do, the rest will fall into place.
If you’re lost and not sure what your health-related goals are, I highly encourage you to enlist the help of someone who will ask you the right questions to help you discover them. I am happy to be that person for you. 🙂
Here’s to getting what you want out of life!
Andrea
