Our bodies are incredibly adaptive and will settle at any level our environment, energy expenditure, activity level and nutrition dictate.
I
believe that this is why we are at such a difficult place when it comes to the health of the nation
If we felt TERRIBLE every time we missed a work out or ate a cookie then the PAIN of doing so would be greater than the PLEASURE of doing the 'right' thing for our bodies
We don't because we get used to being where we are, and our bodies really 'dislike' change
We always mostly move from pain towards pleasure...again, another problem right there! Easy option anyone?
The massive effort
against the mental barriers and perceived physical hindrances is painful to overcome as it takes a large amount of effort
The pleasure of that moment not doing something strenuous, however shortlived, wins often
Turn
this around and there is the key to long term success, right there
We have to muster up the most strength and energy to get going again at the time when our resolve is at its weakest.
Making your successes small in the beginning is a good way to get past this
hurdle.
Small successes lead to more and, most importantly, your perception of a small success changes as you gain momentum.
- Week one small success could be drink an extra bottle of water a day
- Week six small success could be drinking a bottle of water after each of your three visits to the gym this
week
Whenever I have had an enforced break and I return to exercise I never go 'all out'.
The first workout is a win even if I just get through the door of the gym and do some stretching.
Treat your body and mind with respect, going full out may work for
one, two or even three sessions, however it will lose impetus when your body rebels!
I'm not a fan of the guilt laden 'what's your excuse?' method a large portion of the fitness industry adopts. Although, sometimes being tough on ourselves when those excuses come to the surface is exactly what we need.
When the time is right I really kick my
own ass in the gym, or sometimes it's just a 'punch the clock' session.
Success after success, however small is how you can crack this. What is small now will seem insignificant against what your successes will be this time next year.
All that is needed is consistency.
Keep...moving...forward
J
