It’s true! Many studies have proven it. Our own client testimonials show it but you’re here to know how right? You’re reading this because you are someone that has fallen off the wagon and you know you need to get fit again.
You were at your best before these restrictions. Playing sports and working out regularly but now it is hard for you to do all those things.
Here is the good news, it doesn’t take long to get back. It won’t take you as long as you did in the beginning. In fact you will be back on twice as fast or even faster. Keep reading because this blog could be the one that will get you going to move in the direction of strength in both mind and body. If you don’t, it may take you another year, 2 years or 5 years to take action for your well being.
So here we go...
In your mind, you are thinking that if you do not put in 110% in your workout or in your nutrition you will not get the results you want right? The thought of putting all that work in is not encouraging but it freezes you. The idea of all that work is moving you towards the couch to watch shows because it is easier to do that. It may seem tiring alongside the rest of your responsibilities like work, home chores and other things you need done weekly.
It doesn’t have to be painful. Reaching your ideal fitness only requires you to make small changes. Think about, going on a diet or exercise program makes you feel tired right? What if all you had to do is go to bed an extra 30-60 mins every night? Doable right? Not so intimidating.
The key is consistency in the small things. It doesn’t have to be perfect but it needs progress day to day.
In order for you to reach your goal, do you think you need to be taking action on a daily basis? Of course you do but they have to be bite size things for you to keep going. To walk a thousand miles, you need to take it one step at a time don’t you agree?
Let’s face it, if I were to give you the best plan in the world but you can’t stick to it, will you reach your goal? Exactly.
If you are not taking those steps do you think you will get to where you want to be? Probably not. I know because this same mentality got me nowhere, it was when I stopped being perfect is when I actually took consistent action.
I remember in the past I would be on a strict plan and every time I skip a workout or eat a piece of chocolate, it would be the end of the world for me. I would pause for weeks and then start over. This cycle repeated every year, for many years. It was only when I allowed myself to make mistakes so I can keep stepping forward confidently, did I realized that perfection doesn’t exist. You will only reach your destination if you keep moving forward and not when you keep going back to the start line.
It makes total sense right? Okay, so now that you know this what are some things you can do? All this information and being self-conscious is great but nothing will change if an action does not take place.
Let me share with you 3 principles that have helped me and many of our clients stay on track to reach the desired goal.
1. 5-minute tasks
Anyone can perform an activity for 5 minutes. You already are thinking that this will not do anything or be effective enough to create change but remember, nothing will happen if you don’t step forward. The key here is to make it so easy to do that it also makes it impossible not to do. The beauty is that when you get to the 5-minute mark, you will actually want to do more. The way to beat procrastination is with momentum. When you have momentum then you become unstoppable. 2. Surround yourself with likeminded people to make it more effortless
Have you ever been late for anything and feel bad about it? That is called accountability. We all have it for our jobs. The reason why we show up is because we are being held accountable. We can do the same with our fitness because you know that the motivation will only last in the beginning. Having a group of people or even one ’important’ friend keep you accountable to show up will increase your chances of taking action.
You will still do it even if you don’t feel like it and you won‘t regret it.
3. Beginner’s Mind
Whatever plan you may be on or whatever program you are following, make sure that you are treating it like it’s the first time you have done it. If you have a closed mind then you will believe that the current plan you are on will not help you because you have done it before and quit. Maybe you have done the same exercises and did not see the results you wanted. Adopting a Beginner’s Mind will allow you to see and experience new things even if you have done them before. There might be something you missed and that one thing could be the missing piece to your problems. I remember I followed a fitness plan that did not get me results because a friend of mine told me that he tried the program and did not get results. I went into the fitness plan already expecting to fail which I did. After some time I decided to give it a shot but this time with a beginner’s mind. I was ready to learn, low and behold I experienced it differently. I immediately knew that this plan will take me to where I want to go. After a few months, although I did not reach my goal, I got to about 80% towards my goal. I was hooked. There you have it, my 3 principles to approaching health in a way that will keep you on track to your goal. It isn’t always about will power and motivation, those things come and go. It is when we take action even when we do not want to is what will make the magic happen. Discipline equals freedom. If you feel that this has resonated with you, give this blog a like and please share it with someone that you feel needs to hear this. Thank you for reading 🙏🏼.