In exercise, as in most things in life, the ‘all or nothing‘ mindset simply does not work. And yet it is exactly where we get stuck, or worse, where we never even start. So why does this happen to us?
If you start exercising with an ‘all or nothing’ mindset, you are setting yourself up to fail. Why? Because life happens and unpredictable situations are part of every day, right mums? So why even bother starting when you already know that next week you are travelling, then there are doctor’s appointments, then your partner is away, and the list goes on.
Right, better not start at all when you already know you will not be able to train three times a week. Except your back still hurts, you cannot run after your child, you are not happy with how you look, and honestly your libido is not great either. And no, none of that will change. Until you decide it will.
The same thing happens with food. A child’s birthday party, incredible pastries, an even better cake. So there is no point thinking about eating well tomorrow either, since you have already broken your own, completely made-up rules.
This pattern spills into every area of life. It keeps you stuck in a state of inertia, meaninglessness, frustration and dissatisfaction.
Once you realise that one workout a week is worth infinitely more than none (that is 4-5 workouts a month, 52 a year), that one slice of cake does not mean you have failed, that 10 squats a day means 70 a week and 3,640 a year, you will understand that flexibility around your training schedule is your greatest superpower.
A week without training means absolutely nothing, because the only thing that matters is that you show up again. And again. And again. Then you realise you are no longer trapped in your cycle of dissatisfaction. You have become a woman who decided to show up for herself, no matter what.
More on exercise motivation another time. What I will say is this: motivation is a b****. You cannot rely on it.
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