Do you sometimes feel like there are so many things that interfere with your progress of getting into better shape?

Well, you’re not alone!

Sometimes after being disciplined for a few weeks, eating right, and working out, those few weeks feel like an eternity. Then, when no visible results come, you become very frustrated. Sound familiar?   

Have you finally worked up the motivation to get into better shape and started working out just to get an injury from incorrect form, pushing it too hard, or not properly warming up? Maybe you have a non-fitness related injury and therefore feel you can no longer work out and you throw in the towel.   

 Maybe you even paid for a personal trainer or invested in an expensive fitness and nutrition program, only to find your pockets empty and your waist size the same. It could’ve been from not following the program, or that the program wasn’t right for you. Keep in mind, there are inexperienced people giving inexperienced advice all the time—whether it be at your local big box gym or from some blog you found online. Factor in that not everyone is cut from the same cloth or has the same life experiences and life situations, so it’s hard to find the right fit for you. 

 In any of these cases, you probably feel that the world is against you in your quest to lose a few pounds or get stronger. The best advice that I can give you is to stay focused and have a bigger picture. This is no sprint. This quest is a marathon, and the sooner you view it like this, the easier it becomes. After all, isn’t it about changing habits over the long term? This can easily be compared to anything in life. You won’t become good with money and budgeting after just a couple of days. Chances are you will not be able to build a house after watching a couple of YouTube videos on how to frame. I think you get the point. Hard-earned success in anything seems to take way longer than we have patience for; something I’m learning from my short experience on this earth.

But, once we see results from our continued efforts, there is a lot of satisfaction to be had. I think we can all relate to this in some way. So, why should losing a few pounds of fat and/or putting on a few pounds of muscle be any different from this principle that applies to everything else? The answer is that it is not! I hope that you don’t lose hope. I’m just being straightforward with you. From my experience, here are a few ways that may help: 

1. Small Victories. Count the small successes you have each week. Don’t get hung up on missing a workout or eating an unhealthy treat. Focus on all of the good things you achieved each week.
2. Stop weighing yourself. Your weight fluctuates so much on a day-to-day basis. Don’t let that distract you from your short-term success. If the mirror is a distraction too, then don’t even mess with it.
3. Push yourself further. Your body won’t see change if you don’t push it. Make sure you know the most effective ways to achieve your goals.

Consult with a professional. Sometimes when you try something on your own after 20 times and you aren’t seeing results, it’s best to talk to someone who has more experience. It may require you to do a little research to find the right person or program. Ask a lot of questions, and don’t go with the first person or the cheapest program.