Are you being honest with yourself?
It’s not that we intentionally “lie” to ourselves about things, but all too often we are looking back at our habits with rose colored glasses.
We miss the inconsistencies.
We let hard work be mistaken for training with purpose.
We’ve focused on doing MORE over following a strategically designed plan and systems.
As much as we want there to be a magic pill, there isn’t one.
And there is no one magical move, magic macro ratio, magic ANYTHING that is going to give us instant results.
That’s why I wanted to share with you the main reason I feel we so often don’t see the results we want and how to overcome it, but I do just first want to remind you how important it is we take that step back to honestly assess.
It’s easy to get caught up in how we “feel” we are doing.
But feelings aren’t data.
Especially because we CAN actually be working really hard and not seeing the results we want.
Working harder though doesn’t translate always into CONSISTENCY with that hard work though.
Too often we are “good all week” only to end up falling off on the weekends.
And that inconsistency can really add up.
One day can throw you out of a deficit if you’ve been trying to create a smaller deficit throughout the week.
Missed workouts, when you’ve DESIGNED for a specific schedule, can really add up.
We need to be honest with ourselves and our implementation of systems.
It’s why tracking to give us that outside perspective can be key.
This honest assessment can also help us stick with our plan for long enough for results to add up.
Because simply not sticking with something for long enough is truly why we most often don’t see the results we want!
We simply can’t out exercise or out diet time.
And so often we give up on a plan or program before we’ve truly given results time to build.
Sometimes we’ve even seen results but don’t feel like they are happening fast enough so go in search of another, faster, fix.
And this constant hopping from thing to thing is what prevents results from snowballing.
Because often when we don’t “feel” like things are happening, they are!
And over time those small changes build upon themselves to lead to big results.
So if the true problem is that we don’t get consistent with something and stick with it for long enough, how can we help ourselves actually commit to a plan long enough for time to work its magic?
Here are 3 tips to help you stay consistent and give results time to snowball:
#1: Give yourself end dates.
We don’t do well with “forever.”
Not only does it lead to us often not feeling motivated to get started, but it makes it easy to slack when there is nothing driving you to have a specific result by a specific time.
If you think about the times you truly were the most committed, it was when you had a big event you were working toward.
By setting those end dates we motivate ourselves to fully commit and commit until that day in time.
We can then, at that point, reassess how everything is going.
Even if you don’t have a big event you’re working toward and you know your ultimate goal will take awhile, set strategic end dates to give yourself a chance to assess how everything is going.
If you know you’re going to stick with something until that point, it will make it easier to even trust the process and not be looking to change things up before then.
#2: Set goals that aren’t just your ultimate goal and track progress toward them.
Many of us have been told we need to set habit goals. We need to celebrate completing the boring daily tasks that we know we need to do if we want to reach our ultimate goals.
But it’s hard to stay motivated by these simple tasks, especially after you do them for a week or two.
That’s why you want to set goals you know will complement your ultimate goal while being quicker to complete or see progress toward.
If you have 50lbs to lose, and you know you often struggle to stay motivated to go to the gym, set a gym performance goal.
What is one move you’d like to be able to do?
Would you like to be able to lift a certain amount? Run a certain distance? Cycle at a certain pace?
Set a performance goal that you know will motivate you to want to do the habits that will lead to faster progress toward your weight loss goals!
Then make sure to track your progress with a set plan in place!
You need to have that clear progression to know what is and isn’t working and then you want to track your progress toward your goals so you can see those changes over the week!
That progress forward will help keep you motivated to do what you know will lead to your other goals as well!
#3: Stop the all or nothing attitude.
Often in our desire to see results faster, we try to do a billion things at once.
We try to work harder and do more over finding something sustainable we can do long-term.
If you want to help yourself stick with something long enough to see results, you need to honestly assess your lifestyle, needs and goals and base your routines and habits off of them.
As unsexy as small changes are as they don’t often lead to the immediate earth-shattering results we want, they are what ultimately add up to the greatest results long-term.
Too often we overestimate how much we can accomplish short-term and underestimate what we can accomplish long-term with consistency.
So as much as you want something now, realize that attitude is what has ultimately lead to you never sticking with something long enough for results to truly snowball.
Yes you see those dramatic results, but then you also see that quick plateau or weight regain.
Find ways to make small changes based on what you’re currently doing and even at times embrace doing the minimum when you otherwise would do nothing!
Remember that it isn’t just about going full steam ahead when times are perfect, which, let’s face it, with life they often aren’t.
It’s about also finding ways to be BETTER than you would usually during the times you aren’t motivated and can’t do the perfect plan.
SUMMARY:
So often we hold ourselves back by simply not sticking with a program long enough. And then we also start to ignore the inconsistencies that happen.
Take an honest step back and reflect on what you’re doing.
Then set some end dates to constantly assess your programming and keep you motivated while allowing results to build. In each of these time frames, outline some performance goals you know will keep you consistent in those habits and working toward your ultimate weight loss goal. And then embrace doing the minimum. Be realistic instead of feeling like it has to be all or nothing.
Remember, you simply can’t out exercise or out diet time!
Eat the foods you love, train with a routine that fits YOUR busy lifestyle, and see the fabulous results you deserve…It’s that simple! (Note that doesn’t mean “easy.”)
LEARN MORE…
Are you offering a 6 week macro challenge soon ?
Hi Karen! I currently have this option available to help you kickstart 2022! https://macrohacks.redefiningstrength.com/macro-hacks-coaching?sl=blogcomment
Are you offering the three step workout challenge now?
Sorry not sure what you mean? I do use my RS formula in all my programming 🙂