10 Fitness Mistakes NOT To Make

We all start our fitness goals with the best intentions, "it's going to be different this time!" But most likely you make the same mistakes that throw you under the fitness bus. It's extremely difficult to survive under these fitness buses (listed below) and stay alive and thrive in the bod you want. So here's what I don't want you to do - Focus instead on MINDSET because how you THINK will determine what you do.

1. You're not going to change EVERYTHING all at once.

Yes, you want it all and you want it now! But doing it all at once is a recipe for giving up. Eliminating all wrong foods, telling yourself you're going to workout 5 days a week generally isn't realistic. The more you give up, the more you tend to crave getting back to your "real life", except that's not really the body-life you want. So go slower. Choose 1 or 2 things to focus on and just do that. Maybe it's hitting 3 days of workouts and drinking only water. You can absolutely do those 2 things. And as you begin to turn these things into habits, it sets you up for new habits, with new changes in your body and in your motivation. You don't even have to start with the hardest things, just start with a few things you know you need to do. Stick to and commit to those. THAT is how you begin.

2. You're not going to panic.
Panic causes stress, and stress triggers the bad habits you're trying to eliminate. Stay calm through your process. Take it one thought at a time. Calm yourself and be kind to you, and just keep going. And if you fall, get up and keep going. There's no reason for panic because if you do the right things and make good choices, there's nothing but good stuff to look forward to. Don't rush your process, stay calm and steady.

3. You're not going to throw away a whole day or week because you ate something bad or skipped a workout.
 "Well, I ate _________ so the whole day is ruined, I may as well just eat whatever I want now." OR "I skipped 2 workout, forget this week, I'll start next." THAT attitude is what got you to this struggle point. To leave "here" you have to move past these old, tired thoughts and excuses. If you ate something you shouldn't, start from the very next moment. The day is NOT ruined, it's only ruined if you don't stop. Eat clean from that moment on, throw in a workout if you can, you'll be just fine. Do your best to avoid situations that put you in a position of temptation but if you give into it, just keep going from there.

4. You're not going to put up with your little kid excuse voice.
If you have to reason with yourself or have discussions with that voice in your head, most likely the kid-you is making excuses because that inner "immediate-want" is talking louder "long-term-want". You have to learn to say no! in this minute so you can have tens of thousands of healthy, fit, long term minutes. Your goals, body and happiness is not worth the few minutes of taste.

5. You're not going to put your workout at the bottom of your To-Do List
Don't squeeze your workout into your day, squeeze other things in around your workout. You have to HAVE TO make you a priority. The earlier you can get it done the better because the whole day rolls out smoother and less stressful. But if nighttime is the only time you can do it, get it in before you settle in for the night. Your kids will wait, your family will wait, and they'll be better off with the healthy, energized you.

6. You're not going to lie to yourself.
Making fibs to  yourself doesn't’t fool yourself… you know. Because that gnawing guilt comes and sits with you as you try to talk yourself into or out of something you should be doing. When you’re clean and honest with yourself, not only do you feel better and see results, your soul smiles.

7. You're not going to be so hard on yourself, but not too easy on yourself either.
Tough self-love. You’ll talk to yourself as if you were your 4 year old self, sternly when you need to correct something, but lovingly so you don’t get discouraged. No one does well when they’re being yelled at, even if it’s you yelling at you.

8. You're not going to starve yourself.
Serves no purpose. Not only does it slow down your metabolism, but you can only feel starved for so long before you have to eat and generally that eating turns into a binge. One of the best things you can do for yourself is EAT, but eat clean. Look at everything you put into your mouth as clean fuel. Your body uses up the good stuff in the best way and leaves nothing behind but a lean body (with workout). It’s the junk food you need to wean away from.  Your best defense against temptation, never feel hungry.  

9. You're not going to listen to ridiculous faddy diet advice.
You’ve heard it before, if it sounds too good to be true, IT IS. There are no shortcuts to the body you want, we all wish there was. But the absolute fasted way to get that body is to do it the right way as much as you possibly can.

10. You're not going to give up too soon.
It takes time, just like everything in your life that’s ever meant anything to you. It took your time, focus, patience, and dedication and you got it! This is no different. Your body is changeable and at any moment you decide. Make that moment now.

The sooner you start, the sooner you get there!