Perhaps the biggest thing standing in your own way is yourself and your thoughts. The little narratives that you tell yourself about why you can’t lose the weight or stick to the gym routine can be the thing that holds you back from truly seeing the growth and change that you desire.
In the health and wellness world, there are SO many myths that exist. This creates a lot of confusion. It can be hard to figure out what to do or where to start when so many sources are telling you opposing things. Let’s break down a few common myths that many clients have once believed.
The first myth: It’s too late to start.
It is not and will never be too late to start. Starting is the hardest part, there is no doubt about that. Each day you let go by without starting is a little time lost, but it doesn’t mean you will not be able to make progress or make a difference in your life. Whether you are 15 or 75, resistance training can and will be one of the most empowering, life giving exercises that you can do for yourself. The benefits far outweigh the excuses for not getting started.
The second myth: You have to workout every day.
Daily movement is a wonderful thing. Our bodies were not meant to just sit or stay idle. This doesn’t mean that you have to go hard and push to the limits every day. Rest is healthy. Time out of the gym is good for you. Muscles are made by resting and recovering, so if you are pushing too hard on the daily, you could put yourself at a disadvantage. Don’t feel like you have to lift 6 – 7 days a week in order to see progress. Plenty of progress can be made on a 3-4 day per week schedule. The most important thing is your ability to be consistent and put in the effort on the days where you can show up for yourself.
The third myth: You have to count calories.
It is true that calories count, but you don’t have to be the one counting them. Progress can occur by shifting the focus to a higher protein diet, or consuming less liquid calories, or by eating the colors of the rainbow daily. There are many approaches and techniques that will allow you to see change without obsessing over the exact numbers of food intake you are consuming. This one comes down to where is your headspace at and how precise do you want to be in order to reach your desired outcome.
The fourth myth: Carbs are bad for you.
In the same lane as calories, the fourth myth you might have heard before is that you can’t eat carbs. This is another myth that exists as a bit of a scare tactic. Carbs are your body’s preferred source of energy. Without complex carbs, your energy, recovery, and overall enjoyment of life might decline. The quality of workouts you have will shift. Your sleep will be impacted. In general, carb sources should not be feared. Sure, you might have to adapt and learn to try and like new things, but there will rarely be a time where low/no-carb is the solution for you.
The final myth: It ends once you lose the weight.
This myth in particular is a tough one to navigate for some. A question you might consider to evaluate what you believe about this myth is “would I be happy if I lost all the weight right now?” If the answer is no, then the happiness you are searching for will not be found in the number on the scale. A lot of the journey should also be spent working on yourself from the inside out. Changing your habits and mindsets, so that you can live a long, fulfilling life regardless of what your body size is. When the weight is gone, you will be left with habits and thoughts that impact the quality of life you have. If those are not made healthy along the way, the journey is not over.
In all honesty, the journey never really is over. The decision to pursue health, to lift weights, and try to be a healthy, strong human is a never ending choice. You have to choose it daily. There will always be learning and growing to do. There will always be a new way to challenge yourself to be better. There may be a new move to try, a new sport to play, a new weight to lift. The point is that the journey can evolve and grow right alongside you. Take your time and do your best to enjoy the process. Don’t let the latest fitness journey myth stand in the way of your success!