There’s a tough love quote from Chris Williamson that says, “The magic you’re looking for is in the work you’re avoiding.” No matter where each of us is on our fitness journey, this quote is applicable.
Maybe you’ve never joined a gym or lifted a weight in your life. Perhaps you’re a former athlete that dreams of being back in the kind of shape you were in your “glory days.” Maybe you’re a stay-at-home mom looking to lose weight or have the energy to play with your kids.
At 10.40.10 Fitness, our community is filled with people of different backgrounds, with different goals, schedules and stories. But we share a common need for the right mindset - one that will allow us to accomplish what we’re aiming for.
It’s not complicated. If we don’t do the work, we don’t reap the rewards. And oftentimes, the reason we aren’t doing the work is because of “the wrecking trifecta.” This trifecta consists of three different mindsets, each of which will block your goals faster than Martin Brodeur (look it up).
The 3 Mindset Traps Blocking Your Fitness Progress
1. Are You Sure You Actually Want That Goal?
Have you ever set goals and come up with a clear-cut plan to reach them, only to never spring into action? Fitness mindset and performance coaches would explain that this is a form of self-sabotage.
In other words, there’s a reason you’re not diving into those tasks. Sure, it could be a lack of time. But it could also be that deep down, maybe you don’t actually want to accomplish a certain goal.
Here’s a ridiculous, non-fitness example: Let’s say your goal is to become a circus clown. (If you actually do want to become a circus clown, our bad. Don’t @ us.) Now let’s say you have the funds to go to clown school and get your degree. You also have plenty of time to devote to this gleeful passion. Plus, people besides your mom have actually told you you’d be great at it.
But here’s the thing: When you were a kid, your great uncle’s second cousin joined the circus. For years, he was the “Uncle Bruno” of the family and we don’t talk about… never mind.
So subconsciously, your brain has connected a circus career with being a family outcast. Therefore, you’re dreaming of that big red nose, but you’re unknowingly throwing obstacles into your own way to prevent yourself from achieving that goal.
Here’s a more real-life example from a 10.40.10 Fitness member. Names have been changed to protect the innocent so we’ll call her Betty. Betty had big goals of getting fitter and lifting heavy weights. But her boyfriend had made comments in the past about women with muscles, calling them “manly” or “bulky.” As a result, Betty half-assed her lifting abilities, self-sabotaging as a subconscious way to not get “too bulky.”
The truth is, had she done the work, she’d find out what 10.40.10 Fitness members already know: Lifting weights is not only great for toning and building lean muscle, it’s beneficial for longevity, and the mobility you’ll need well into your 50s, 60s, 70s and beyond.
So take a look at your ambitions. You may have to dig below the surface to figure out which goals to work toward and which ones you don’t actually want.
2. Are Your Fitness Goals Unrealistic?
Secondly, there are fitness goals with unrealistic expectations. In this situation, you might simply be setting yourself up for disappointment.
As it relates to fitness, there’s a reason we refer to it as a “journey.” And since we live in an instant-gratification world, it’s tough for some to accept the big picture. The truth is, if you gained 50lbs over the course of five years, it’s simply not possible to lose it overnight.
As we’ve discussed earlier in the 10.40.10 Fitness blog, there’s no such thing as a workout you’ll do today - or a healthy meal you’ll eat - that will change your level of fitness. But think of today’s workout as a link in the chain. By showing up day after day and adding links, you’re creating a chain that does change your fitness, physical health and even mental health.
In another example, you can create unnecessary frustration by expecting to “pick up where you left off” the last time you were in the gym. If you played sports in college, it’s not realistic to expect that your body will move the same way - or the same weight - that you did back then.
Can you work toward it? Absolutely. But your best strategy is to check your ego at the door and start smartly. You’ll likely make progress faster, prevent injury and enjoy the process more.
3. Did You Think Getting Fit Would Be Easy?
Lastly, the third reason you might be avoiding the work: It’s hard.
When’s the last time you met someone who accomplished an epic goal, only to downplay it as if it was easy? End zone celebrations are reflective of all the work that went into that score. Happy tears flow when people do something they never thought they could do. No one climbs Everest and says, “Meh.”
Some goals take months. Some years. And every once in a while, a lifetime. But it stands to reason that the longer and harder you have to work at something, the more gratifying it is to reach it.
With that in mind - and after you’ve confirmed step #1 that you actually want it - it’s crucial that you acknowledge the difficulty of the task. Let’s look at two examples.
Let’s say you’re brand new to fitness and you sign up for a membership at 10.40.10 Fitness. If you picture yourself showing up to class and just glowing with sweat, lifting heavy weights with ease and smiling from ear to ear the whole time, there’s a good chance it’s not going to look exactly like that.
Or maybe you’re a more seasoned athlete. You’ve been coming to the gym for a while and you’ve recently set some bigger goals for yourself. Once again, picturing yourself accomplishing them with ease will only serve to frustrate you if the goals are truly pushing your limits.
In either case, be realistic about the difficulty of what you’re pursuing. Nothing worth achieving is easy. And remember, there’s nothing wrong with pivoting on a goal, and you should as it evolves. But it will benefit you greatly if you first ensure your achievements align with your values, lifestyle, mental health, schedule, etc.
Ready to Achieve Your Fitness Goals? Here’s What to Do Next
Once you’ve cross-referenced your goals with the wrecking trifecta, there’s simply one thing left: Go do the damn thing. You’ve determined that you actually want to pursue it, you’ve set realistic expectations, and you’re rational about the time and effort it’s going to take.
Once you’ve cleared these three hurdles, avoiding the work is simply keeping you from the magic you deserve. So set your big goals, make a plan and get after it.
At 10.40.10 Fitness, we’re proud to serve the Northwest Chicago suburbs community with expert coaching, supportive accountability, and programs designed to help real people achieve real results. Whether you’re brand new or getting back into a routine, we’ll help you build the mindset and consistency needed to hit your goals.
Get started by trying a free class with us here: https://www.104010fitness.com/programs/get-started
