3 Reasons Why Your Workout Isn’t Working (and how to fix it)
If I had a dime for every time someone told me, “I’ve tried everything and still can’t lose weight/get fit/tone my arms!” I’d be writing this from my own private island in the middle of the South Pacific.
Such is not the case.
I’m in my home office without an island in sight, yet I still receive these emails without compensation.
Bottom line: It’s not that easy, and not everyone gets the same results.
In fact, more than half of new exercisers quit and go back to their couches and ditch this whole crazy get-fit idea after about six weeks, according to the American College of Sports Medicine.
So if you decided to get fit this past January 1, chances are good you’ve fallen by the wayside, so to speak, by now.
If not, good for you! You’ve beaten the odds.
For everyone else, let’s take a look at why so many people fail to see results and what you can do to avoid becoming a statistic.
1. FITNESS FAIL: You set unrealistic expectations
Going from zero to 100 mph in the form of “not working out at all” to “working out every day” is not going to happen. Sure, you may do it for a week or so, but if you’re doing the same routine over and over each day, one of a couple things is bound to happen: you get bored or you get injured.
Both are motivation killers.
Or, you start working out with the intention of dropping a bunch of pant sizes within a short period of time or losing more than a pound or two a week.
FITNESS FIX: Start from where you are and set small goals. Instead of striving for exercising every day, give yourself a day’s rest in between. Or, better yet, do something active but different on those days.
Second, use other ways to measure your progress than the bathroom scale. Success can be seen in better sleep, more energy during the day, or a better mood overall. And yes, the scale may move as well, but that’s less predictable.
2. FITNESS FAIL: You do a little and expect a lot
Performing a couple ab crunches and expecting to see changes is like eating a salad and wondering why you’ve not yet lost weight.
Technology allows us to download books in seconds, receive groceries within hours and view movies on demand.
But here’s the thing: Our bodies did not get the same memo.
Evolutionary beliefs aside, not a whole lot has changed within the human species in the way of metabolism, digestion muscle building, and other bodily processes.
People who see results stick with a routine or workout for weeks or even months before expecting to see visible changes in their bodies.
But when that day rolls around you’ll be ordering a case of tank tops to celebrate.
Trust that’s it’s happening beneath the surface. Be consistent and your hard work will soon pay off.
FITNESS FIX: Patience and consistency wins the race! Do the right things and focus on the process, not the outcome. Results WILL happen as long as you stay on track… which brings me to my final point.
3. FITNESS FAIL: You’re doing it wrong
This refers to several issues and usually refers to one of the following:
- You’re using poor exercise form from either copying someone else at the gym or trying to “wing it” on your own
- You only do the things you want to do, so your program isn’t well rounded
- You do a little of this and a bit of that, cross your fingers and hope for the best
- You put in little effort but still expect massive results
FITNESS FIX: Do your due diligence. Be sure the advice you follow is from a qualified professional, not simply someone who looks the part. Before following a YouTuber or fitness guru, find out if they have the fitness creds (ACE, ACSM, NASM, or other national certifications) before jumping in.
Overall, do the right things, be consistent with your efforts, have patience, and you WILL see results.
