I began my fitness and health lifestyle 14 years ago. Looking back, I’m grateful for all the mistakes I made along the way. These mistakes have been valuable lessons that have shaped my journey. To this day, I’m still on a learning curve, always working to improve and make gains, both in knowledge and strength and reflecting on all my mistakes.
Over the next several weeks, I’ll share one mistake and what I learned.
Mistake #2: The Finish Line – Yay, I’m Done!
On December 10, 2010, at 52 years old, my transformation journey to health and wellness began. Step one: take starting photos. The fear was real. It was a hard thing to do. Looking in the mirror, I saw the results of years without exercise and poor nutrition. That moment has stuck with me to this day. One thing I know for sure is that you learn to do the hard stuff right out of the gate.
After eight months, in July of 2011, I reached my goal! I crossed the finish line by letting go of 40 pounds. I felt incredible. I was off all medications, and menopause was at bay. I had vitality, strength, and energy! I draped my newly transformed body with fitted, stylish clothes and felt great. I worked hard for eight months, created new healthy habits, and showed up daily, living my new lifestyle. It was hard work, a battle most of the time. Celebrating, I thought, Done—I had achieved my goal. I checked that box and went on living my life.
No way, I’m not going back!
It only took about six weeks of “living my life” when I noticed my old habits creeping back in. My clothes were tight, and my lack of energy surfaced again. My transformed body was returning to its old form, which I worked so hard on.
I quickly regrouped, looked back at my starting photo, grabbed a new journal, and created my plan for the next day. I wrote what my workout would include and what I would eat at each meal. I connected with others and was held accountable. I returned to my transformation program, dialed in, and started doing the daily work. It did not take long, and I was back in my groove. I got my smile back. My desire to succeed was stronger than my desire to fail.
The Pitfalls of Stopping and Starting Again
Stopping and starting again can be incredibly frustrating and disheartening. Each time you stop, you lose momentum, and it becomes harder to restart. Your body and mind get used to the routine of not exercising, making it even more challenging to get back into the habit. This stop-start cycle can lead to a loss of motivation and progress, making you feel like you’re constantly back at square one.
Avoiding pitfalls is essential to understand that maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing commitment. It’s not about reaching a single goal and then stopping. Fitness and health are continuous journeys that require consistent effort and dedication. By keeping this mindset, you can avoid the setbacks of stopping and starting again.
Lesson Learned
The journey doesn’t end at the finish line. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time achievement. Keep showing up, even after reaching your initial goal. There’s always room for improvement and new goals to achieve!
Join us at K Factor Coaching, where we transform ordinary actions into extraordinary strength. Because when it comes to fitness, the only bad workout is the one that didn’t happen.
Coach Kim Knapp is a certified Body for Life coach. She offers personal and group online coaching programs.
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