You’ve Been Lied To — Getting Started Isn’t The Hardest Part

Check out this great article (without the sugar-coating) by Master Motivator, Coach Kozak of HASfit:

For years I’ve heard well-intentioned fitness experts talk about how getting started is the hardest part. They contend that once you get started on a diet and fitness regimen that it is all downhill from there. Well, my experience has taught me that this is just a flat out lie.

Every year at this time we start hearing about “New Years’ Resolutions” and “New Year New You,” but 15 days later everyone is back to eating pizza and cake. Want to know the ugly truth? The hardest part is keeping it up.

Why do we tell everyone that getting started is the hard part? We’ll probably never know for sure, but my guess is we’re just trying to motivate people to get started. The problem is that we are setting you up for failure, because when it really gets tough and you want to quit then you aren’t prepared. 

Prepared for the rainy days when all you want to do is sleep. Prepared for the long days at work or school when you just want to lie on the couch when you get home. Prepared for the food temptations around the holidays. Prepared to scroll through a social media feed and see nothing but food porn.

So I’m here to tell you that it never gets easier. Temptations will always exist. It will always be easier to lie on the couch, than to get up and go exercise.  

I’ve been living a clean and healthy lifestyle for as long as I remember, but it’s still a battle. How do I keep going? Mental toughness. To be successful, you need to make a conscious decision that you are going to hold yourself accountable and that you are worth it.

Those who succeed through the long haul only have one characteristic in common. They are not all runners, bodybuilders, Crossfitters, or HASfitters. They are not all vegan, paleo, or gluten-free. They ARE mentally tough.

Without it, you will fail. 

The good news is it is free. It doesn’t require a monthly membership or a degree. Mental toughness comes standard within each of us, but somewhere along the way we stopped using it and it atrophied just like any other muscle.

If you haven’t used it in a while, then don’t expect it be strong right away. You must exercise and build up your mental strength just as you would your core or endurance. Aim for progress, not perfection. Take pride in small victories, e.g. saying no to sweets, exercising 3 days in a week, etc.

Don’t punish yourself if you stumble, but instead use it as a learning experience. Reevaluate what caused you to stumble and be better prepared the next time. And most importantly, do NOT allow yourself to give up. 

Anyone can get started, but the hard part is not giving up.