Probably the biggest reason most people fail to achieve the results they are looking for is down to the lies they tell.
They are not conscious lies, but their words and actions simply don’t marry.
If you ask most people who start out a health and fitness plan how focused and serious they are about their desired goal, the answer is usually “completely 100% committed”. And to them that is the truth. They really do WANT to achieve these goals, but wanting something and being committed to achieving it are two separate things.
Everything in life has a cost. If you want an expensive car, you either have to work to improve your income or you have to do without other luxuries in your life. If you didn’t need to do these things, you would have the car already. You have to be committed to the changes needed.
So you might look at a Ferrari and think, I wish I could afford one of those. But how much do you wish that? If it really was the highest priority in your life, you would find cheaper accommodation, you would NEVER go to the movies, or to a night out, you would cancel any satellite subscriptions you have, in fact your TV license money could go to the car if you did away with your TV, which you could sell to add to the pot. No more eating out, no magazines, no snacks, no expensive clothing, just what is practical to allow your survival. And all that extra time you have now that you are not in front of the TV or involved in any pastimes could be used to further your career or build a new one. If this truly is your biggest life desire, you will find a way to achieve it.
It would take quite an empty life for such a thing as a car to play such a big part in anyone’s life, but it is just an example.
Switch that to health and fitness. Around 99% of the planet would like to improve something about their health, fitness or physique. Very few people would wake up, take one look in the mirror and think ‘Perfect! As always’. So everyone would WANT to make a change, but many people simply accept, rightly or wrongly, that they want a life of indulgence more. They would rather go out drinking every weekend, have a takeaway every night, or live off pizza and chocolate and simply suffer the consequences when they arrive.
But a large portion of those who start a fitness plan lie to themselves about this fact. They say they want a six pack, more energy or improved muscle tone, but then every weekend the posts go up on the social media sites about how it’s nearly pub time, or time for a bottle of red, that the fridge is stocked with booze, it’s party time etc.
Then you get the cries of regret come Sunday or Monday morning. “Never drinking again”, “Why did I eat that?”, “That’s it, no more for me, diet starts today” and so on.
In actual fact, what is really happening is, through the week, when it life is a bit more regimented and anything is better than work, getting to the gym maybe isn’t such a chore, it’s a relief. But come the weekend, being popular and accepted by your peers becomes more important than the fitness goals.
The reason being, in most cases, the goal is also about the acceptance of others. It is buried in a belief that if you look better more people will like you or compliment you and that will make you feel good and happy. But come party time, getting drunk or indulging in fast food and junk food also gets you acceptance, only the result is instant. It happens right there and then. Everyone tells you how you are a great laugh, they are having a great time in your company etc and you will do anything to conform.
Then on the Monday, you remember your goals and you announce to the world your regrets, that way they all forgive you or tell you that one little indulgence won’t hurt. And again you get your social acceptance fix.
But always there is this internal struggle. You have a goal, but you never reach it. You blame the diet. You blame your trainer. You blame your workout. You seek out a new diet approach or a new workout routine. The latest fitness classes and start drinking that detox drink everyone is raving about. You sacrifice for a few weeks, and of course you tell everyone how hard it is, but you are sticking to it (to make sure you get your social acceptance fix as they applaud your efforts, though only if it’s for a few weeks, because that party at the end of the month is HUGE and you HAVE to drink at that).
And so the cycle continues.
Until you unlock the truth, there is no chance of moving forwards. You might make some progress, but it will be short lived.
And what is the truth?
Well that will take some real honesty, not with others but with yourself.
How much do you really want to make a change? What change do you truly want to make? And what price are you willing to pay?
Only by discovering the truth can you truly accept who you are and what you are doing. And self acceptance is much more fulfilling than the acceptance of others.
Your Ferrari is yours to have, but the price must be paid.