Developing a fitness mindset

By a show of hands:

Who here has begun a new fitness plan only to abandon it a few weeks later?

You feel motivated, start making changes, see some results, and then it happens:

You lose the drive to keep going and slowly revert to your old behaviors.

It’s happened to all of us at some point. The question is, why? More importantly, what can we do about it?

What Most People Don’t Understand

We live in a world where instant gratification is the norm. With the rapid digitalization, we are becoming impatient, which fully applies to fitness.

When most people begin a fitness plan, they expect immediate results, which is perhaps the biggest roadblock. Here is the thing:

The fundamental shift that needs to occur in your mind is to understand that your current state is the result of thousands of tiny actions and choices you’ve made over the years. You didn’t become the way you are overnight, and you shouldn’t expect to get fit overnight.

Becoming fit is also the result of many small actions and choices that compound over time and lead to significant changes.

Once you internalize this simple fact, everything else becomes easier.

Three Ways to Develop a Fitness Mindset

  1. Start Small

We are creatures of habit. Most people love routines and thrive by establishing a schedule. 

The problem is, most people also try to make drastic changes in their life when they decide to tackle fitness.

Sure, putting more effort can deliver faster results initially. But it also makes it more challenging to stick with fitness, and many people give up soon after starting.

To make fitness part of your identity, you need to take baby steps. Instead of making grandiose changes, start with a few simple things and work on mastering them:

  • One healthy meal each day
  • Three 20-minute workouts per week
  • Drinking less soda each day
  1. Set Specific And Measurable Goals

Before you get started, it’s good to know what you’re working toward. This is where realistic and actionable goals come into play. For example:

“Lose five pounds in the next four weeks.”

This goal is fantastic because you have a clear, measurable, and time-bound objective. You can break it down further into weekly goals, and you can create a plan of action for that.

It seems simple, right? It is. But tackling your fitness in that way is fantastic for making progress initially and proving yourself that change is possible for you. This sets you on the path to develop a fitness mindset and achieve excellent results in the long run.

  1. Take Ownership

Your life is yours to live, and your current circumstances are mostly because of your choices and beliefs. In other words, you are in this current spot because you chose that.

So, one of the most productive things you can do right now is to take ownership. Assume responsibility for your life, and start taking positive actions to change that.

By sitting in the driver seat of your life, you gain control, and you force improvements, rather than waiting and feeling like a victim of circumstances.