Read on to see what big five mistakes can ruin your chances of meeting your fitness goal before you've even started.
When you're on the way to your forever fitness prescription its easy to get lost, intimidated, and thrown off by the obstacles in your way. Let's discuss how you can avoid bad habits and make way for the good ones!
Not Having a Goal
So you want to work on your fitness, but you don't know where to start.
The worst thing you can do is think about it, but not act on it. If you don't have a goal, you might succeed in starting your journey, but get lost along the way not knowing what you're looking for.
It's like throwing a basketball without a hoop. What are you aiming for?
INSTEAD...
Choose a goal to aim for, and start small. Say you want to loose twenty pounds, start by working toward five. Does doing the splits strike your fancy? Start by touching your toes. If you want to run a marathon, start a mile at a time.
Everyone's fitness journey might be different, but they all start with a goal.
Not Making Exercise a Priority
Now you have a goal. Don't loose sight of it by not making your fitness a daily priority. It's far too easy to let the daily hustle and bustle take over your life.
This is why many people fail. They don't prioritize their exercise and health as much as they prioritize making sure their nails or hair are done every few weeks, making sure they have time for that favorite television show, or making time for their favorite hobby.
INSTEAD...
Make working out a consistent and daily habit. Start with an amount that you know you can commit to. Fill out a daily calendar to dedicate specific time slots for working out, just as you would for work.
Having a day trip? Plan around it and make up for your workout on another day.
Like anything, consistency is your key to success.
Not Having a Workout Plan
So you've made the time to workout which is great! Have you thought about how you are going to succeed in that goal?
If you don't have a plan for the day or week, you might end up wandering aimlessly around the gym, or getting distracted at home instead. Without a plan your workout could just end up being a nice, but unsuccessful recess time.
INSTEAD...
Make sure you have a plan and know exactly what you are going to do when you get home or step into the gym. Not only will this ensure efficiency in your workout, but you will be doing exactly what is catered toward the goal that you are working for.
Think of it like having a map. Your workout plan will give you the specific direction you need toward success.
If you are doing a program, study it the night before so you know what to expect.
If you know that your gym time is during rush hours, its even more important to have the whole picture in mind so you can effectively plan for the next exercise while you are doing the first one.
Not Coming Fully Equipped
In the same way that not having a plan will affect you, not coming equipped with the right tools can also obstruct your way.
I can't tell you the amount of times I've witnessed someone turning around to leave the gym just because they forgot their headphones, socks, towel or whatever.
Do you think they drove all the way back to the gym after leaving? (I'm sure they worked out at home, yea, that's it!)
Yes mistakes happen, but constantly being underprepared will cause you to loose motivation and look for the easy way out (bad habit!).
INSTEAD...
Make sure you are fully prepared! With your workout plan as a guide, be sure to stock your gym bag with all of the essentials or equipment that you will need. I particularly like to refill my gym bag with a fresh towel and whatever else I need the night before and leave the bag in the car or with my stuff for the next day so I don't forget it.
By making sure your "tool" box is fully stocked, you will be building progress in no time!
Not Staying Focused
Whether you're working out at home or the gym, you are bound to encounter distractions. Whether it's working out during prime hours, getting a new social notification on your phone, or getting extra attention from your kids and pets at home, distractions will be everywhere.
This might also look like working out with a friend not equally matched (and by that I mean the one who wants to talk the whole time while sitting on one machine instead of engaging in the workout). Don't get me wrong, working out with friends can be an amazing motivating factor if you choose the right ones.
In the same way, choose to workout with friends who are just as focused so that you don't take three hours on a one hour workout.
INSTEAD...
Find a way to quickly respond and adapt to these situations. You need to keep focus on your goal. Your job is to make sure that you can walk away from everything else for a specific amount of time, so that you can work on your own needs.
Turn the phone notifications on silent, put the dog outside, go to a quiet room in the house, have the kids do homework or a physical activity during your workout time, and choose the right workout partner who is just as focused as you are.
Now that you are aware of these common mistakes, you should be more than ready for your race to the finish line!
Have you found yourself trapped behind these common mistakes?
What techniques do you use to keep yourself accountable and how have you overcome challenges to your fitness goal?
Please share your thoughts below!
A goal without a plan has little chance of succeeding. A plan without measurable objectives also has little chance of succeeding. Break it down into achievable units that can be measured and celebrated or restructured.
Pointing toward your fitness goal in small increments is a great approach. Thanks for the thought.
I have found myself distracted during my workout by work emails. I learned that if I turned off the notifications I won’t be bothered by them during the hour I’m spending on my health. Great advice, it’s worked for me!
Having a goal really resonates with me. So important to know what I'm working towards and to know that it's important to me. And the small steps approach allows me to celebrate my "wins" and keeps me motivated. Thanks for breaking this down so well!
I thought you were talking about me the whole time I’ve done all of the above. As you know LOL