When we are busy, faced with deadlines, appointments or when emergency strikes, our commitment to fitness is often the first thing to go. And when we commit to a fitness program, we are faced with worry and self-imposed stressors.
How can I stay on track?
What if I lose my resolve and eat too much, or too fast, or the wrong things?
What if I’m laughed at by the girls in the gym? What if the workouts I’ve chosen to do are too difficult or what if I can’t follow through? What if I fail at my commitment to get in better shape?
Everyone of us is afraid of failure and in order to keep our fear in check, we do not step outside of our, despite the fact that sometimes that is pretty stressful. But what happens when emergency strikes or when things in our world seem like they just are not going right? How can we keep making progress with our goals?
Maybe you have suddenly been injured or faced with a family disaster or a new set of demands at work. As you’re reading this and relating, you are asking yourself,"How can I stay on track?" You are probably wondering how to live a healthy and fit lifestyle when life goes off the rails.
There is a simple answer - in theory; however, you must be warned that it is difficult at times to put into practice: Let go of perfection. Stop trying to be perfect. The minute that you do this, the whole idea of maintaining some kind of focus on fitness will become a whole lot easier.
Accept Imperfection
To begin with, allow yourself to think in terms of weeks rather than days.
If you cannot work out on a scheduled day due to traveling commitments for work deadlines, simply work out the next day. Allow yourself the ability to switch will mean that you will rarely miss a workout.
Your workouts may not look perfect either. If you cannot do a regular workout, do a body weight workout, or intervals on the stairs, or go for a run or a swim. Perhaps look into a spin class or Zumba class at a local gym.
Each day, ask yourself: “If I cannot do what was asked of me or what I expect of myself, what can I do? What can I manage (physically, emotionally, mentally) now? Once you have answered that question, then go do it. The bottom line is to exert yourself – in some form. After all, the body only really know hard work. It does not know what you scheduled.
Regardless what you do, stay active. And guess what? The pounds will come off and you will get stronger and fitter and there will come a point despite the emergencies and upheavals that you will actually look forward to your workouts as a way of helping you handle all the stress.
The bottom line…
Just do it – something – anything – to combat the stress of your everyday life!
