We have all done it. You mean to go to the gym or workout, but you find yourself lounging on the couch instead. You tell yourself you are going to eat healthy this week, but then someone brings donuts into work. The problem is after one of these slip ups, people tend to beat themselves up. Then they find that they slip up again, which results in more damage inflicted on their self esteem. The cycle repeats and soon enough they’ve quit all together.
The key to getting in shape is motivation. Whatever you do to workout won’t make much of a difference unless you keep doing it. Some people seem to think that constantly criticizing themselves will help change their behavior. In reality, that’s one of the worst things you can do. Motivation is only hindered by getting down on yourself. Of course, getting down on yourself for getting down on yourself won’t help either. You can’t look at slip ups as failures. If I slip up I try to see it as an opportunity. It’s a chance to prove I can recover. Then I make up for it.
Another trick I’ve learned is to avoid “should” statements. Like, I should go to the gym or I should cook instead of getting fast food. Switch should to “I’d like to.” As in, I’d like to go to the gym or I’d like to cook tonight. It’s a simple thing, but it does seem to have an impact on attitude.
Similarly, every time I’m craving something bad for me, I see that as an opportunity too. Self control and discipline is like a muscle, the more you exercise it the stronger it gets. If I give in and take a donut, I know I’ll regret it, but if I don’t give in, I’ll feel a sense of pride. Every time I deny myself that donut, it gets easier to do it again. Then I can allow myself to have one on my own terms for a cheat meal and not feel any regret over it.
We’ve all been there. You haven’t failed until you’ve given up.