Are You Raising the Fitness Bar Too High?

It is so easy to get our minds out of whack. We fixate on where we want to BE so much, that we often totally forget where we CAME FROM and never really allow ourselves to celebrate where we ARE.

Listen, most of the time I am about 10lbs heavier than I’d prefer to be. So it takes me about 5-6 weeks to drop the extra weight to get in shape enough for a shoot, or show up to a fitness event, and actually feel like I “look fit”. That’s my reality. I can either fixate on how much leaner I could be, or I could remind myself that, not only have I been fatter, I’ve stayed fitter longer over the last few years. Another words, I’ve been worse.

I used to do extreme yo-yoing where I didn’t workout regularly for weeks – or even months. Normally it was when I had a lot of work to do at the gym. On top of it, we’d eat out nearly every night because of our long hours. I’d wait until I got so fat I couldn’t take it anymore, and then I’d go on a diet and go strict – so strict and taxing, I’d eventually rebound. Now, I am less extreme. I don’t diet as extreme and I don’t allow myself to lose control to the extreme. I eat much healthier, workout more and get up a little faster when I do fall.

High Expectations

The problem is, the fitter we get, I think the harder we are on ourselves. If you’ve ever been in amazing shape – THAT’s what we compare ourselves to. We don’t compare ourselves to the fatter version of ourself, we compare ourself to the best version of ourself – and many times that isn’t even something sustainable (like if we get in competition shape or have had periods of time where we really worked out, or obsessed, TOO much about being fit).

Not only that, the world of fitness is getting more fit. Fit used to just mean that – that you were physically fit. Now when we say someone is fit, we expect to see six-pack abs and muscle separation.

So, not only do we get to compare ourselves with OUR best, but we area constantly comparing ourselves to THE best, which is plastered in every magazine and television commercial. Look at how fitness has changed over they years.

Healthy Reality Check:

I want to challenge you to think of a few things to help you keep your chin up and your thinking rational.

1) Everything you are doing is better than doing nothing at all, and what you are doing, no matter how lame or how irregular, it’s fighting age, weight gain and health issues.

2.) Even if you could be leaner, you could be fatter. The fact you are reading this blog means you are trying. You are making an effort to make good choices, learn more and get more motivation to do what you need to do to be your best.

3.) The longer you stick with it, the easier it will be to maintain it. As you continue on your fitness journey, you will begin to learn what works and what doesn’t. In essence, you will get smarter – and as you get smarter, your workouts will be more effective. The more effective your workouts, the easier it is to stick with it because they will continue to get more rewarding.

4.) Fitness isn’t rehab – where you check in, get fixed and get out. Fitness is a lifestyle. So, no matter what results you are getting, it’s not something you stop. You are in this for the long haul. You don’t quit if things don’t work out. Fitness is about your health and living life well. Even if you are carrying a few more pounds than you want, you can still choose to be healthy – whether you are the weight you want to be or not. Even being 10lbs heavier than my best, I’m fit, strong and healthy – and that is plenty to celebrate! AND, I can maintain this weight and lifestyle.

5.) Just think of where you would be if you didn’t even try. Ouch! That’s a scary thought! But, it’s reality. And if you have lost weight before (but gained it back), you still have an advantage. You know you can do it. You have experience, so you know you can do it again. You can either beat yourself up, or start over and get back on track. The bottom line is, as long as you keep trying, you are much better off.