So, you actually made a New Year’s Resolution to get in shape and have been sticking to it. Maybe you said you would walk 10,000 steps a day and only drink alcohol on the weekends. Perhaps you said you would go to the gym five days a week and drink a gallon of water a day. Maybe you said you would start running and just worked up to go for 10 minutes without feeling like you would die. Here’s the problem, though…you do NOT look as fit as you thought you would or do not have that defined 6-pack and bulging biceps like the fitness influencer you follow on social media. Now what?
Fitness goals can be funny. We can write down or say we want to get a little stronger or more disciplined or be a little more flexible, but those are often not the only goals. We want to look better. We want those jeans to fit a little better, that shirt to be a little more flattering, and we want these things sooner than later. As humans, we work hard and want to be rewarded for doing so; we invest and look for the return on our investment.
Unfortunately, while capable of amazing things, the human body doesn’t typically change as quickly as we would like. Just because you didn’t drink alcohol for 30 days, does that mean you should look like you never had a sip in your life? Can you sign up for the next lifting competition just because you adjusted your bench press form and have been more consistent for six weeks? Okay, so you ran hard for two months, your feet have hardened, and your lungs have expanded, does that mean you are ready for the Boston Marathon?
Change takes time. It would help if you gave yourself time, real-time, to adapt to the stresses you are putting on yourself. Increasing protein intake will help your body recover, repair, and develop new muscle. Just because you purchased a tub of the latest brand and walk around with a shaker cup all day doesn’t mean that you will look like a superhero by the time you finish. So, what should you do if you feel like you have been doing everything right for the last few months and still aren’t where you want to be?
Shift your focus. Let’s say you had a goal to get into running, and you can now run for 10 minutes. Perfect! Now time your 1 mile run and see how low you can get it within the next six weeks. Or, if your goal was to go to the gym five days a week, keep that going but work on a new movement like a Turkish Getup or a Double Under with a jump rope. Keep your same lifestyle pattern but make minor adjustments to it to give the body a new challenge without interfering with your plan. As my mother would say, “Don’t let your short-term goal interfere with your long-term goal.” I’ll see you at the gym!
Joel Quick is the Owner of Quick’s Fitness LLC and operates out of Your Personal Best Fitness Studio in Mooresville, NC. His passion for fitness and mental peace is only outweighed by his love for his family and helping others. If you need help with your fitness journey or want another perspective on fitness, feel free to email him at joel@quicksfitness.com
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