We're rounding out the end of one crazy year! As we head toward the end of the year and the holiday season, it is going to be even more imperative that we prioritize our physical and emotional health. If there is one thing that the year 2020 has taught us, it is that resiliency and grit are qualities that we all need to possess and develop. For so many, this year has not gone as planned. Instead of giving up and throwing in the towel because you weren’t able to follow your plan, take a moment to focus on what you were able to do. Now, moving forward, don't strive for perfection strive for progress.

You’re in good company

One of the most common struggles for so many of my clients is coping with failure. They often give up because they aren't perfectly following their plan. One mistake, one misstep and they get frustrated, they get mad at themselves and they just give up. Everyone focuses on manipulating the tangible aspects of diet and exercise to positively affect their body composition. Instead of getting bogged down with the details, look at how you can manipulate your mindset surrounding the process. How will you continue to move forward when you mess up?

Don't aim for perfection aim for consistency

Whether you are just beginning your journey, or you have been on it for a while, mistakes have happened and will again. You will miss your goal for your macros, you will skip your workout, you will put in a half effort because you just don't feel like it that day, and you might even binge on holiday treats. The important thing to focus on is not the mistake you have made or where you went off the rails. It is important to focus on your mindset surrounding it.

Ask yourself this:

What caused me to miss my target?

What could I have done in advance to ensure my own success?

What part of the situation was under my control? What part wasn’t?

Understanding the circumstances that led up to your misstep is the only way to ensure that you don’t repeat the mistake.

Succeed more often than you fail

Consistency over perfection is what will get you to the finish line. You don't have to hit your numbers exactly every single day. It takes time to make changes in your physical body. If you are trying to lose weight, remember that you did not gain it all overnight. If you are trying to gain lean muscle, understand that building new fibers in your body is not a fast process.

Your body will respond if you give it consistent fuel and movement.

Give yourself some grace

We’re programmed to focus on the negative experiences to survive. Human instinct requires us to remember any experience that may have put our lives or survival at risk. Whether it’s where a predator was or what sort of plant was poisonous, our brain records this information to protect us from harm.

Now that we live in modern society, we need to learn how to shift our focus and train our minds to recall the positive experiences. We’re no longer battling for our survival so we can put our energy into improving our health.

You have a highly developed brain that can be reprogrammed at any moment.