Sabotage!

I’ve seen this mistake over and over when women get started with a fitness plan … or, get re-started after falling off track.

 

They go all in with an overly aggressive plan (i.e. “I’m going to the gym every day!” ), get frustrated when they can’t stick to it, and then tell themselves “I knew I couldn’t do it” and slip back into past feelings and behaviors…and same old results.

 

This is self-sabotage!

 

How can you avoid this pattern? It all comes back to your mindset again.

 

If you believe that you won’t be able to resist all the rich food options or make time for exercise during holiday season, guess what’s going to happen?

 

You’re going to indulge in all the rich food options, and your workout clothes aren’t going to get much use during the next couple of months.

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You see, what ever you believe to be true is your reality.

 

Your beliefs cause your thoughts, your thoughts influence your emotions, your emotions cause you to act and your actions give your results. Your results back up your beliefs. These are the five primary drivers of behavior.

 

To avoid the pattern of going all in only to never make a dent in your weight, health or habits change what you believe. 

 

You don’t have to be perfect! You don’t have to do everything/every part of “the plan” today. You can challenge yourself without killing yourself!

 

Commit to something (not everything) you’re certain you can stick to every day. Something you think is so easy that you might even overlook it.

 

It might be drinking one extra cup of water per day or perhaps  it’s a 15-minute bodyweight workout three days a week, or going to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual or taking your daily supplements.

 

Some other tips to help you out:

1. If you’re doing out to dinner, research the menu ahead of time and decide on a healthier option with some substitutions (veggies instead of starch). This way, you won’t be tempted by all the rich, unhealthy options that the restaurant is trying to entice you with.

2. If you’re going to a holiday party, use a strategy I call “pre-eating.”  Eat a mini-meal that includes protein and fat. The all-you-can-eat buffet and hors d’oeuvres won’t look quite as appetizing once you’ve taken a bit of the edge off your hunger.

3. If you choose to drink alcohol, make sure that day you are fully hydrated, skip the beer and wine and mixers. Go for light spirits mixed with club.

 

Remember,  keep it simple, give yourself grace and use strategies like I gave you above.

 

Imperfect action and a realistic plan will work!