Something is better than nothing

It’s easy to get caught up in the romanticism of pursuing a goal. You may feel or think things like:

• I’m going to crush this!
• I’ll be a different person once I achieve this!
• I’m going to be 10/10 everyday!
• I’ll never miss a workout
• I”ll always hit my macro’s
• I’ll keep getting better each day

And sadly, none of this is true. Even the most committed individuals will fail. 

Your success will really hinge on how well you fail and how well you deal with failing. On the days that you don’t make it to the gym or into your garage for a training session, or the days that you can’t complete all the prescribed exercises from your coach or program, what will you do? 

Often people that have the “All or none” mindset will choose to do absolutely nothing. They say to themselves, “Well, if I can’t do it the right way, then why do it at all?”. And I personally love their zeal to desire to be “All In”, but  this will lead them to failure more often than consistent pursuit of improvement.

Something is better than nothing. If you can’t weigh and measure your food, if you can’t do the full workout, if you can’t make it to the gym, or if you can’t hit your 10k steps for the day, something is better than nothing. Understand that navigating your goals and hitting anything that puts you closer to the goal is better than throwing in the towel. So you can’t hit 10k steps, how about 5k? So you can’t weigh and measure your food? Can’t you simply prioritize protein and be sure to eat as many veggies and fruits as you can for the day? So you can’t make it to the gym? Well can you at least spend 10 minutes doing push ups and sit ups and air squats? Maybe a 10 minute walk or run? Something is better than nothing. 

I’m sorry this isn’t a sexier message. But if you want to have your goals and keep them, then this is how you must learn to perceive your training and nutrition all the time. I’ve been at this as an athlete for 22 years and as a coach for 18 years (yes, it’s the only profession I’ve known since I was 18). The people who make it last and make it count in weight loss, fitness or performance sports are those who do what they can when they can. I’m not here to bash something like “75 Hard” or a “30 days weightloss challenge”, but let’s say you participate…..then what? What is your plan after? Do you know how to make the best of your new weight loss or new strength numbers in your everyday life? What about when you aren’t so motivated or there isn’t money on the line? Will you still comply to the same degree? The answer is no, and in those moments how will you respond? 

Create habits, create systems in your life and create a mindset of “something is better than nothing”. And you’ll keep rising.