At the outset of any new venture, be it a new job, new relationship, new training program or transformation challenge, motivation, enthusiasm and excitement is high.
However, as the weeks start to tick by, the novelty wears off, and that’s when the proverbial “rubber hits the road” for many individuals.
It’s at this juncture that many people choose the path of least resistance -- quitting.
They go back to their comfort zone or safe space and fear growing, changing, and/or challenging themselves to become more.
We’ve all been in this situation before.
Change can be downright scary...but it doesn’t have to be, if you embrace the right mindset, utilize the right tools, and aspire to greatness.
Here are X reasons why people quit and you won’t!
#1 Majoring in the Minors
One of the main reasons that individuals quit their fitness plan or weight loss goals is that they’re too mired down in the minutiae of weight loss -- what’s the best diet for weight loss, what’s the best pre workout, can I eat carbohydrates, etc.
The amount of mental energy that’s squandered majoring in the minors is utterly mind-numbing.
The truth is that the vast majority of people looking to lose weight don’t need to bother with carb cycling, nutrient timing, etc.
What they do need to focus on are the “big picture” items -- consistency, calorie deficits, tracking their nutrition, avoiding fast food, etc.
If you can shut out the noise, focus on consistently maintaining a calorie deficit, and attacking your resistance training workouts with intensity, you’ll make more progress than 99% of the people who ever say they want to “lose weight.”
#2 “I Don’t Have Time”
“I don’t have time to workout” is one of the most common excuses individuals give for why they haven’t achieved their fitness and physique goals.
Yet, these same individuals also seem to find time to spend hours on social media each day and/or watch tv.
And, we get it, the thought of waking up early to hit your workout first thing in the morning can seem daunting, fortunately, there are such things as pre workout supplements to give you the liquid motivation you need to not only show up for your workout but crush it too!
But, ask yourself if you’re really any more motivated to hit the gym after a long day at work?
Probably not.
You only have so many hours in the day to get s*** done, which means you need to set your priorities -- what’s more important: scrolling through your instaface feed for hours on end or hitting the gym which not only helps you get the body you’ve always wanted but also improves your overall mental and physical well-being?
Always remember that YOU have control of your choices in life. Don’t be a victim of circumstance. Take charge and decide what you want your life to be.
#3 Unrealistic Expectations
Another driving factor behind why people quit is that they simply set unrealistic goals or have unrealistic expectations for what is physically possible in a given amount of time.
For instance, if you have never worked out a day in your life, you can’t expect to look like Mr. or Ms. Olympia in a month, 6 months, or even a year. The body of a physique champion is built over the course of years and years of dedicated diet, training, and supplementation.
Along the same lines, if you’ve spent several years eating poorly and not exercising, you can expect to have a 6-pack after only a month of dieting. It will take weeks, and in most cases months, to lose the excess body fat and develop the lean, toned physique you crave.
Further, it’s important to understand that there will be hiccups along your journey, be it muscle gain, fat loss, or recomposition. You’ll have mediocre workouts. You’ll have days where your nutrition is a bit off. They will even be days when you forget to take your supplements.
Realize that you’re in this fitness “thing” for the long haul. It’s not a sprint. It’s a marathon. If you have an “off” day, or even an “off” meal, shrug it off and get right back on track with your diet and training. The focus should be doing the right things over the long term. With consistency, dedication, and effort, you’ll get the results you want.
#4 Lack of Specificity
Building off of the previous reason why people quit and why you shouldn’t is that many individuals have a lack of specificity with their goals.
They’ll say they want to “lose weight” or “eat better.”
While these goals are admirable, they lack specificity and definitive steps that can be taken.
Ambiguity is a path that leads to a lack of results.
Instead of saying “I should lose weight” or “I know I should eat better,” say “I want to lose 5 pounds over the next 4 weeks” or “I will stop ordering take out during the week and cook my meals at home.”
By giving yourself concrete numbers and/or deadlines on which to act, you create a sense of urgency which can prompt you to take actionable steps to accomplish your goals. As you take these steps, you can track your data using the 1UP Fitness App, so that you can look back and see what you’ve accomplished and what you need to do to keep moving along the path to success.
#5 Lack of Accountability
When you don’t have anything at stake, it’s easy to give less than 100% effort or flat-out quit.
Having someone to hold you accountable (significant other, friend, training partner, etc.) and/or having a bet with yourself can greatly improve your chances of sticking to your fitness goals and accomplishing them.
This is one of the great things about entering a transformation challenge!
You can join with thousands of other like-minded individuals who are focused on eating better, losing weight, building muscle, and living their best life ever!
Having support whether in-person or online can help keep you motivated during those times when you’re struggling or give you an added boost to keep pushing hard even if you’re plugging along at 100%.
