by Kara Wutzke
We’ve all dealt with setbacks at different times and in different areas of our lives. Most of us want to achieve success in some form or another, but it’s impossible to live up to every ideal, no matter how hard we work. Life will always throw roadblocks in our way.
Fitness is no different. We want to achieve our perfect bodies, but we also want to enjoy life. Furthermore, busy schedules, physical problems and other elements beyond our control often intervene. These are all different types of setbacks. They’re annoying and frustrating, but they can also provide a chance for us to rethink our priorities.
Let’s break setbacks down into two categories: internal and external. Internal setbacks occur when you can’t seem to muster the discipline needed for a healthy life. You want to eat better and lose weight, but you backslide… a lot. You go out for one or two drinks and end up eating a pizza. You sleep through your alarm and miss your morning workouts a little too often.
This might make you want to give up entirely, but don’t! Just invest some time and get organized. Make a plan that incorporates a minor change each week. Set a new goal for yourself every month (e.g., running a total of 50 kilometers) and reward yourself when you succeed. Do your food shopping in advance and prep lots of healthy snacks. Make a schedule for attending the gym – and read my article about workout buddies. Finding like-minded friends makes all the difference in the world.
External setbacks occur when you’re organized, you’re energized, you’re in the right frame of mind – but then a game changer comes into play. Maybe you get injured, or your work schedule changes, or you go on holiday. I find that a lot of my clients are very good about being disciplined when they’re in a routine, but when something comes along to interrupt that, they struggle.
The solution is to keep your eyes on the prize and learn to adapt. Staying focused on your goals and never giving up is something that makes you stronger. Every time you overcome any sort of opposition, your body and mind learn from the accomplishment and reap the rewards. No matter what setbacks you're facing, they should never be an excuse to give up on yourself or your health!
// Kara Wutzke is a fitness trainer who offers boot camps and individual classes in Guangzhou. She can be contacted by emailing k2fit.gz@gmail.com or through WeChat ID: KaraK2Fit.
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