The Biggest Daily Lie I Tell Myself

Three Challenging Reasons Why Something, Anything Is Better Than Nothing

 

So, I have a plan for my day but somehow it goes sideways.

I know that I need to get a workout in and even planned a time but for circumstances beyond my control (or at least I tell myself that), I’m at the place of asking this question.

Now, it’s not like I’ve never asked this question and ironically, it’s a question that has the same answer every time. Yet I ask it like it’s brand new to me.

Here’s the question:

“Do I have time to workout?”

 But here’s the point. It ALWAYS leads to a lie that creeps in every single time. Ready for it:

“IF I DON’T HAVE ENOUGH TIME FOR A FULL WORKOUT, DON’T WORKOUT AT ALL. IT’S NOT WORTH IT.”

Do you hear it’s subtleties and persuasive tone? And sadly, too many times I all for the lie. I actually want to believe the lie some days. I rationalize how much time it’s going to take to get to the gym, or get changed, warm up (which I rarely ever do but count it as one more excuse).

But here’s the truth, “SOMETHING, ANYTHING IS BETTER THAN NOTHING” when it comes to working out!

And Here are Three Challenging Reasons Why Something, Anything Is Better Than Nothing:

 

1. MINDSET

The more serious I become about fitness and getting into great shape, the more important my mindset becomes in making healthy choices in this area.

Here is my current mindset: I’ll take what I can get and make the absolute most of it!

It’s changed from looking for excuses to get out of a workout to looking for reasons to actually workout!

Did you catch the difference? It was the mindset. One was MAXIMIZING and one was MINIMIZING.

My mind is my biggest challenge, even more than time, soreness, or simply just being tired. If I can convince my mind to “show up”, most of the battle is fought with my body.

 

2. ROUTINE

I’m a routine person in certain areas of my life. I absolutely love variety and creativity but not in my workout schedule. I thrive on CONSISTENCY.

And here’s a secret my mind has not figured out: it doesn’t remember if I spent 15 minutes or 45 minutes working out. It just remembers that I worked out yesterday which makes it easier to workout today and not justify skipping because I missed yesterday.

And EVERY SINGLE TIME I show up to workout for “just a few minutes”, I not only stay longer but often have a better workout. Imagine that.

Absolutely use this psychology to your advantage. Have the right mindset that “something, anything is better than nothing to start then play the consistency card and lock in that routine.

 

3. NUTRITION

EVEN if I only work out for a few minutes, I have FAR LESS of a chance to be lazy on my food choices the remainder of the day. I feel better about myself and as a result, want to keep that momentum going.

Now, if I’ve believed the biggest lie, that if I don’t have enough time for a full workout, don’t workout at all… it has a domino effect and I easily justify poor eating choices.

If my workout is in the morning, my lunch is ALWAYS healthy. If I workout in the late afternoon, my dinner is ALWAYS healthy. Crazy how that works, huh?

And here is when the key is just showing up. Don’t believe the biggest daily lie that wants to take down both your fitness and your nutrition. Check out the post on the Direct Correlation Between Nutrition and Fitness here.

Here’s the SIMPLE POINT for me:

[tweetthis]Some of my best workouts are when I’m pressed for time. I’m more focused & motivated because every minute counts. [/tweetthis]

 

ADVICE AT NO ADDITIONAL CHARGE:

Plan ahead and think through your day to determine two decisions:

• When you CAN / WILL find time for a workout
• What you will do with those precious few minutes

Often, I know when my day is going sideways and there is little to nothing I can do about it. But I also know when I could find time to “sneak in” a quick workout. Plan ahead.

For example, when I’m traveling, I don’t always have control of how early my morning begins like I do when I’m at home. So, I have a couple of options:

1. Sneak in an AB workout in my hotel room

2. Look for margin within my day which is usually after the day and before dinner

Now, if I choose #1, it’s only 10-15 minutes (currently Insanity Max:30 ab workouts) and I definitely eat a healthier breakfast AND more likely to do #2 and MAKE time later in the day for a workout.

It simply goes back to Mindset, committing to your Routine, and letting the Big Mo of Nutrition drive it home.

 

CLOSING QUESTION:

Assuming I’m not the only one who struggles in this area of fitness…

 How do you handle this lie each day?