Why is it so hard to stick with my fitness goals?

Why can’t I stick with my diet/fitness routine/meditation goal/organization plans (insert your current frustration here!)?

We all go through this.  Seems like it should be simple right?  Just make a plan and stick to it.  But we all know it’s not simple.  Just look around at all the self-help books and the treadmill in your bedroom currently serving as a clothes rack for examples.  There is an entire industry dealing with motivation.

It’s such a frustrating thing too.  I have said to myself so many times – self… “just do 20 push ups a night or walk 10,000 steps a day or clean out one drawer a week”.  Usually it lasts for a week or so, sometimes more and then I just stop.  No real reason, I just don’t follow through.

Why is this?

The difference between Intention and Commitment

To make it super simple, intention is when you want to do something and commitment is when you follow through and do it.

We commit to things all the time and follow through – we work every day, we get married, and we make plans with friends.  These are all important things so we commit to doing them.

But isn’t your health and wellness worth committing to as well?  Of course, it is!

Step One - A change in mindset

Think about your motivations and your intentions – why do you want to lose 5 pounds?  Why do you want to start running or meditating? 

Understanding where your intention comes from is an important place to start.

  **Some things to think about:

1.       Is it your wish to change or do something? Or are you doing it for someone else?  This one is important because you have to have buy-in.  We can do things for other people but we have to want the change.

2.       Are your expectations reasonable?  Maybe working out every day would be super tough with your schedule which is why you haven’t done it yet.  Try a few days a week to start.

3.       Do you have a set goal?  Think about a realistic goal to start with – you can always raise the bar, but lowering it can be discouraging.

4.       Think about what has been getting in your way up to this point – we are all busy, so try to move beyond that being your block.  What could you give up/move around/reprioritize to make this happen?

Check back soon for tips on Step 2 of moving from intention to commitment

I’m afraid of heights but have always wanted to rock climb so I signed up for an REI class and made it happen with my son. Was I scared? You bet! But I set my goal and met it. Although I didn’t reach the top each time, I am so happy with what I accomplished.