We’ve all been there, your doing soooooo well following your program and workout schedule…you see results but on any given day it never seems like enough for the amount of change you’ve included in your life. So what do you do? Start to panic that you wont reach your goal in time and then use that negative emotion to derail your progress and self sabotage. Yikes. Now what?
Take comfort in knowing that your not different in that respect. There is nothing freakish about that behavior, it’s unfortunately common. Many people go about the same cycle and it’s vicious enough to keep some individuals from their goals for a life time unless they seek out steps to change their “on again” “off again” ways.
So where should you start?
- Tell people about your goals and express how much they mean to you. Tell the people you usually tell last because they actually call you out if they see you doing something totally contradictory- like drinking alcohol or reaching into the bread basket when your out to dinner. Yes, sometimes when it’s hard to be your own parent you have to entrust that task into another. That eyebrow raised surprised/questioning look still has a profound effect on your behavior.
- Now surround yourself with people that care about YOU and your goals and understand them. This might mean making new friends at the gym, park, where ever but many times your drinking buddies now don’t make a great transition in fit pals that will support your lifestyle changes. Unfortunate but true. But if you hang around people that “drag you down” you have no one to blame but yourself.
- Invest in your body and new lifestyle. The biggest returns you can get are on your body and health investments. They’ll never stop paying you back. But committing to change by enlisting the help of a professional, joining group training classes and purchasing comfortable training gear, tells YOU something about yourself. Not only are you committing to yourself but you’ll feel accountable. I personally recommend the gear because you start feeling the part of a fitness buff which is huge and you wont be turned off or distracted by draping sloppy old t shirts and pajama pants in your way or in the mirror. Feeling confident doesn’t have to pricey but you should dress for success along the way. Make the investment and show yourself you really mean it for LIFE this time.
- Last tip for today: don’t be afraid or avoid talking to someone when you start to self doubt, freak out about a deadline, or feel down about your progress. We attach a lot of emotion to the way we look and feel about our bodies and in the beginning you’ll have plenty of emotional days that can lead to self sabotage. Its normal, but not excusable now that you know you’re not alone AND you know you should get those feelings out. A true fit pal can talk you down off the kitchen counter instead of offering you a pint of Ben & Jerry’s and for that you will know you have a real friend for life.
Now keep rockin’ and remember, you spent a lifetime building the body you have. You can’t undo it all in a month but you sure can have successes your entire journey!
