No More Excuses: Overcoming Obstacles on the Path to Fitness

We've all been there – maybe it's the beginning of a new year, the weeks following a breakup, or you're just on a health kick – but suddenly, you're motivated to improve your physical fitness. 

Motivation can be powerful in fueling us to establish new fitness goals and even begin the necessary behaviors involved in their fulfillment. However, many people fail to achieve the fitness goals that they set. According to IHRSA consumer research, 50% of all new gym members quit going within six months.

So why is it that fitness goals fail, and how can people learn to achieve them?

On the Ingrained & Balanced podcast about practicing a well-balanced lifestyle, hosts Lonnie and Marty discuss how our mindset can influence physical fitness. On season 1, episode 10, they are joined by Chad Austin, a trainer and best-selling author of the award-winning series "Make Fitness A Priority." Together they discuss the importance of accountability in achieving and maintaining physical fitness.

A New Approach to the Fitness Mindset

As a personal fitness trainer, Chad sees many people who are inspired to begin a transformative fitness journey. Likewise, he is also familiar with the typical behaviors that clients often exhibit when their motivation starts to wane.

“Short-term motivation leads to short-term success.”

Chad describes this fleeting desire to fulfill fitness goals as short-term motivation. But while this motivation can help you begin your fitness journey, it commonly wears off before you succeed. 

Research conducted by Sundried shows that 95% of New Year's Resolutions are fitness related, but after just three months, only 10% of people think their resolution will last. 

According to Chad, relying on motivation alone to complete a fitness journey won't get you far. Instead, people must practice discipline, maintain accountability, and prioritize their fitness to make it a long-term part of their life.

Motivation to Discipline

So how can people convert their short-term motivation into long-term discipline?

Chad helps his clients identify their authentic reasons for pursuing their fitness. Whether it be to shed a few pounds before an event, pursue an athletic hobby, or share long walks with your best friend, he recommends that people stay mindful of why their fitness is important to them.

Goal setting can inspire people to persist with their fitness goals and work through their resistance. That way, when lazy days inevitably come, people can remember why they are dedicating their time and effort towards their fitness goals – instead of skipping their workouts.

Overcoming Fitness Obstacles

While feeling unmotivated is an obstacle that can easily be overcome, others may be more challenging. 

For example, when the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the world, many people were forced to avoid congregating at gyms or participating in the social exercise activities that they once took part in. According to a Statista Research Department April 2020 survey, 27% of respondents stated that they had been exercising less often than usual as a result of the crisis. 

The pandemic’s challenges could not be predicted, controlled, or avoided. But Chad explains that obstacles in life that are out of our control will always arise and that we should be proactive in determining ways to overcome them.

“An excuse is just an obstacle you haven't overcome yet.”

Obstacles we don’t overcome become excuses for not prioritizing our fitness. However, making plans ahead of time to tackle these obstacles can make it easier to maintain your fitness.

Chad recommends that people consider their fitness history to determine ways to overcome obstacles when they experience them. Ask yourself: what event stopped you the last time you began a fitness regime that didn’t pan out?

We can even prepare for small obstacles that could otherwise get in the way of our workouts. For example, say you planned to go on a run, but now it’s pouring outside. Instead of letting the weather ruin your workout for the day, having a premade playlist of indoor exercise tutorials can help you meet your fitness goals, rain or shine.

Accountability and Prioritization

People hold themselves accountable for the things they truly care about. Although our motivation to work out can fluctuate from day to day, holding yourself accountable can help you maintain these behaviors for the long term.

In the podcast interview, Chad cites many methods people can follow to ensure accountability in maintaining their fitness goals. Joining a race event, participating in obstacle courses, or planning work outs with friends can keep you accountable, and help you work up the desire to exercise on days when your motivation is low. 

Of course, establishing accountability for your physical wellness requires you to prioritize your fitness as a whole. Chad's book series "Make Fitness A Priority" shares his insights on how people can fight against exercise inconsistency by prioritizing fitness as a core part of their lives.

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To learn more about how to prioritize your physical fitness and keep yourself accountable, check out the Ingrained & Balanced podcast!