Don't Listen to the Hype

It's January 2nd and I'm already overloaded with the constant onslaught of messages from gyms and other fitness professionals.  The "New Year, New You!" and 21-Day Detox Challenges and Six Week Transformations all sound appealing and simple, but they're missing the point.

You're not going to be a different person in 21 days or six weeks or even this year.  You're still going to be you, and there's nothing wrong with that because

there's nothing wrong with YOU!

Being overweight or out of shape doesn't tell me anything about your fundamental character, it tells me you haven't formed healthy habits.  And in spite of popular culture's obsession with quick transformations, you are not going to form lifelong habits in just a few weeks.  It takes weeks - sometimes years - to make lasting changes to your lifestyle.

Here's the thing about losing weight and getting fit:

• Consistency is the only "trick" that actually works.  And, obviously, that's not really a trick at all.  It's a habit, and one that takes a little willpower on your part before you'll see any results.  Six weeks isn't long enough to call yourself consistent.  Six months is getting closer to it, but you really don't reap the benefits of consistency until you've stuck to a good habit for years.  Yes, years.  And here's why...
• It's not a linear process.  You will go through peaks and valleys in your fitness journey, and some of them will be serious setbacks.  You will gain weight back sometimes.  You will go weeks with barely any exercise.  You will question your commitment to your goals.  But if you keep plugging away at it, looking at the big picture and stay focused on being consistent, you'll still make progress.  Progress should be your true goal because...
• There is no destination.  You aren't going to "get fit" and then go back to all your old habits.  When you let go of old habits, they're going to be gone forever, because you don't just get fit, you are going to stay fit.  You're going to BE fit.  And you're not going to be fit if you're always waiting to go back to the things you used to do.  Which means...
• You gotta enjoy what you're doing.  Don't go on a diet.  Don't punish yourself with exercise.  Anything that you do begrudgingly and without joy is not going to last, so don't waste your time.  Choose a healthy food that you like to eat, and add it to your daily routine.  Find an exercise group that is fun and makes you feel strong and happy.  The habits you do with a smile are the habits you will keep forever.

Cheers to a new year, the beginning of new habits, and the same old imperfect, wonderful, and always trying to get better YOU!