How to stop falling off the proverbial wagon

I went on a road trip last week, after a few hours I got a flat tire. Upon realizing this I decided to pop the other 3 tires. Looking back, that doesn’t seem logical, does it?

This is the analogy I used when a client brought up how they noticed they would miss a couple workouts then completely stop and “start fresh next week”. They would eat a little extra at lunch, so decided to say, “Screw it! This day is a write off, I might as well indulge tonight.”

I completely get this way of thinking because I used to think this exact way. “I’ve had a few drinks tonight, I might as well make my way to the snack bar.” “Pizza for dinner? Might just as well add some ice cream for dessert.” I continued this pattern until one day, I realized I was engaging in some self-sabotage and perpetuating an idea that “if it wasn’t perfect, then what’s the point?” If I slip up or indulge, I might just as well pack it in.

This way of thinking is the easy way out – really though. When things don’t go as planned, we essential give up. It’s stubbing your toe when getting out of bed, so you call it a day. What’s challenging is taking a moment to realize your actions, thought patterns and seeing if they’re rational.

Slashing my other three tires after I see one tire went flat isn’t rational. I am willingly putting myself four steps back, when I only needed to take one. In comparison, why carry that mindset over into your exercise and diet?

I find that you shouldn’t expect anything– your body, your habits, your relationships, or your exercise regimes to be perfect all of the time. It’s unrealistic.

So what should you do?

1. Change your expectation.

Expect that you will always do your best, in any given circumstance. “Your best”, is all you can ask for and follow through on. Your best today, may look different than the previous day, or the next day or even the next week.

For instance, there was a day I wasn't able to get into the gym for a workout, so I opted for a half hour walk. It might not have been what was planned, perfect or "intense", but it was the best I could do that day.

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