We've all been there before. We've worked hard to reach a goal or complete a task, when "Bam!"...something gets in our way. Life happens...kids get sick, the boss gives you more work than you can handle, the car breaks down. Remember the saying "two steps forward, one step back"? Does that have positive or negative connotations for you? If it seems negative to you, why not turn that statement around..."one step back, two steps forward".
It's natural to feel guilty when you have a misstep. The trick is not letting the guilt overwhelm you and take control of the situation. A misstep in your fitness or weight loss goal is just that...a misstep. If, as a child, we gave up every time we fell when learning to walk, where would we be today? Sometimes it is easier said than done.
Missteps come in many shapes and sizes. Maybe you planned a family vacation and it interrupted your regular exercise routine. Perhaps you were seeing positive changes in the way your body looks when the holidays approached and you snacked a little too much. Instead of beating yourself up about what went wrong, ask yourself, "where do I go from here". Take a look back and reevaluate what happened and how, if possible, you can prevent that misstep in the future.
Staying motivated during setbacks can be difficult. Keep the negative thoughts at bay by getting back to your regular routine as soon as you can. Talk about your setback with a friend, family member or workout partner. Plan ahead for the next time you are faced with the same setback. If holiday parties and festivities put too many food temptations in front of you, eat a healthy meal BEFORE you attend the party. That way you won't be tempted to indulge in all of the goodies. Sample a few but you since you have eaten prior to the party, you should only want a few, if any, of the temptations. Even though we cannot plan for sicknesses or mechanical failures (cars, washing machines, etc.), we can have a back up such as a home workout plan. DVDs are a great back up plan for the times you cannot make it to the gym. The neighborhood park is an excellent outdoor gym.
Remember..."one step back, two steps forward". Setbacks can be helpful because it can redirect your focus. Stay motivated and stay positive. Also, don't try to "double-up" because you had a setback. Maintain your focus and be committed to do things right as much as you can!! Need a little extra help with motivation? Come in to PROMATx Health Club and talk with a trainer or nutrition specialist. We can help you get back on track.
"Fall seven times, get up eight."
-- Japanese proverb
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