Many of us wait for the “perfect time” with our health, nutrition, and fitness. But this all-or-nothing thinking, as in, “If I don’t do this perfectly then it’s awful!” — rarely gets us anywhere. Instead, it usually ends up getting us “nowhere.”
Are you waiting for the “perfect time” to start eating better, or exercising, or finally getting in shape?
Are you putting off that dream trip, or a new project, or that skill you’ve been meaning to learn?
If so, some of these phrases may sound familiar:
When I get a different job.
When things are less busy.
When I find a workout partner.
When I lose 20 lbs.
When I get the right workout routine.
When my fridge is full of the right foods.
Tomorrow. Next week. Never.
Human beings are always “waiting for the perfect time.” But why?
For many, it’s a great distraction and justification. It helps us avoid the real, and risk work of doing.
For others, perfectionism and avoidance serve as strong armour against potential embarrassment, criticism, and failure.
“I could do….but….” keeps us safe from pain. Unfortunately, it’s also what keeps us from growing, thriving, and being who we know we have the potential to be.
That’s why all-or-nothing thinking — If I don’t do this perfectly then it’s worthless — rarely gets us anywhere. It usually gets us “nowhere.”
There is no perfect time. There never will be.
Oh sure, there might be some magic moment in your fitness journey where the planets align and everything comes together… But that magic moment will be one in the zillion other less-magic moments that make up your real life.
Everyone else’s moments just… come to them. Everyone else has enough time. Enough money. Enough motivation. Enough information.
But it is this way. For everyone.
What to do next: Some tips from Glevum Fitness
If you’re still “waiting for the perfect time”, try these tips to help you stop feeling stuck and start taking action.
1. Revise your expectations.
Recognise that there is no perfect time and there never will be. There is only now.
2. Carve out time, even if it’s imperfect.
Nobody will give that time to you. You’ll need to take it. Give yourself permission to make yourself — and your fitness and health goals — a priority. Find the time you need in your schedule. Don’t have time for an hour-long workout? No problem. How much time do you have? 20 minutes? 10 minutes? Work with what you’ve got.
Don’t expect things to go perfectly smoothly. Instead, anticipate and strategise. Ask yourself:
What’s likely to get in the way of what I hope to accomplish?
What is something I can do today to help me keep going when I face those obstacles?
Instead of waiting for things to ‘slow down,’ start making something happen right now, in the middle of the mess.
3. Just start.
If you feel stuck, just do something. Anything.
Find the smallest possible thing you can do right now, in the next 5 minutes, and do it. Now you’ve started!
In our Nutrition Coaching, we concentrate on finding “5-minute actions.” Instead of coming up with the biggest, grandest scheme, think about what you could do in just 5 minutes to help move — even just a tiny bit — in the direction of your goals. Then, go do it.
Remember: action is a “vote” in favour of a different, healthier, fitter life. Vote early, vote often.
4. Expect resistance.
It’s normal. Push through it. Resistance doesn’t mean this won’t work. It just means you’ve started. You only have to get through this moment. This moment of starting will be the hardest. Luckily, it won’t last long.
5. Get support.
Let go of the concept of the lone hero. Instead, start building your support systems. Whether it’s a friend or family member, workout buddy, or a coach, find someone to fire up your booster rockets until you can fly on your own.
Want help becoming the healthiest, fittest, strongest version of you?
Most people know that regular movement, eating well, sleep, and stress management is important for looking and feeling better. Yet they need help applying that knowledge in the context of their busy, sometimes stressful lives.
That’s why we are able to work more closely with our Private Coaching clients to help them lose more fat, get stronger, and improve their health… no matter what challenges they’re dealing with.