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In today's fast-paced world, maintaining a healthy lifestyle can often feel like an uphill battle. You might have felt at some point that your #health and #fitness routine is broken, leaving you frustrated and disheartened. This feeling is more common than you might think, especially after the disruptions brought on by life.
In this blog post, we’ll explore why staying in shape feels harder than ever and how you can fix your broken health and fitness routine and build a new health and fitness system—one that is better designed for your current situation.
Understanding the Challenge: Why a Healthy Lifestyle Is Never Effortless
Firstly, it's important to recognize that maintaining a #healthylifestyle is not effortless. The human body and mind are complex, and achieving balance requires continuous effort and adjustment. This reality doesn't mean that you’re failing if things get tough; rather, it means that the challenges you face are a natural part of the process.
The Complexity of Health and Fitness
Health and fitness involve various aspects, including physical activity, nutrition, sleep, and mental well-being. Each of these areas requires attention and care. For example, it's not enough to just exercise regularly; you also need to ensure that your diet supports your fitness goals and that you're getting adequate rest.
The Myth of Effortless Health
There’s a pervasive myth that some people can maintain their health effortlessly. This notion is often perpetuated by social media and marketing campaigns that highlight quick fixes and miracle solutions. The truth is that everyone, even those who appear effortlessly fit, puts in work and faces challenges. Recognizing this can help you be kinder to yourself and more realistic in your expectations.
The Pandemic and Your Broken System
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted almost every aspect of our lives, including our health and fitness routines. Many people found that the systems they relied on to stay healthy were suddenly inaccessible or ineffective.
Disrupted Routines and Habits
Gyms were closed, social activities were limited, and stress levels skyrocketed. These changes forced many to abandon their usual routines. Even as things have started to return to normal, the lingering effects of these disruptions can make it difficult to get back on track.
Psychological Impact
The pandemic also had a significant psychological impact. Increased stress, anxiety, and depression have made it harder for people to find the motivation to exercise and eat healthily. Understanding these psychological barriers is crucial in addressing the challenges you face in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Recognizing Existing Systems
While it might feel like your health and fitness routine is broken, it’s important to recognize that you already have systems in place. These systems, however, might need adjustments or replacements to better suit your current situation.
Everyday Systems
Consider your daily routines and habits. You have systems for getting ready in the morning, preparing meals, and managing your time. These systems might not be perfect, but they provide a foundation on which you can build.
Leveraging Existing Systems
Instead of trying to overhaul your entire lifestyle at once, look for ways to leverage and improve the systems you already have. Small adjustments can lead to significant improvements over time. For example, if you have a morning routine, you might add a short exercise session or a healthy breakfast to it.
The Anatomy of System Disruption
To rebuild a broken health and fitness routine, it's helpful to understand how and why systems get disrupted. This understanding can guide you in creating more resilient systems in the future.
External Disruptions
External disruptions, like the pandemic, can have a profound impact on your routines. These disruptions are often beyond your control, making them particularly challenging to address. However, recognizing them allows you to adapt and develop contingency plans.
Internal Disruptions
Internal disruptions, such as changes in motivation or mental health, can also break your systems. These are often more subtle and harder to identify but are just as important to address. Understanding your own psychological and emotional triggers can help you create more supportive systems.
Why Systems Matter Now—More Than Ever
In the wake of the pandemic, having effective health and fitness systems is more crucial than ever.
Here are three reasons why:
1. Stress Powers Down Our “Thinking Brains”
When we’re stressed, our ability to make rational decisions diminishes. Stress activates the brain's survival mode, prioritizing immediate safety over long-term planning. This can lead to poor health choices, like skipping workouts or opting for unhealthy comfort foods.
Solution: Create simple, stress-proof systems that require minimal decision-making. For example, plan your meals and workouts in advance so that when stress hits, you can follow a predetermined plan.
2. We Can Only Make So Many Good Decisions in a Day
Decision fatigue is a real phenomenon. The more decisions we make, the harder it becomes to make good ones. By the end of the day, even choosing what to have for dinner can feel overwhelming.
Solution: Automate as many health-related decisions as possible. Use meal prep, workout schedules, and habit trackers to reduce the number of choices you need to make each day.
3. The Pandemic Wiped Out Some of Our Anchor Habits
Anchor habits are the key routines that support our overall health and fitness systems. The pandemic disrupted many of these habits, such as going to the gym or socializing with friends during a workout.
Solution: Identify new anchor habits that fit your current lifestyle. This might include home workouts, virtual fitness classes, or regular walks in your neighborhood.
Building Your New Health and Fitness System
Using the principles of Precision Nutrition Coaching, you can build a new health and fitness system tailored to your current situation. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Step 1: Assess Your Current Situation
Start by assessing where you are now. What aspects of your health and fitness routine are working? What needs improvement? Consider both external factors (like access to fitness facilities) and internal factors (like motivation levels).
Step 2: Set Realistic Goals
Set realistic, achievable goals that align with your current situation. Instead of aiming for perfection, focus on making incremental progress. For example, if you've been inactive, start with a goal of exercising for 10 minutes a day.
Step 3: Create Small, Sustainable Habits
Break down your goals into small, sustainable habits. These #habits should be easy to incorporate into your daily routine. For example, if your goal is to eat healthier, start by adding one serving of vegetables to each meal.
Step 4: Use Tracking and Accountability Tools
Tracking your progress and having accountability can significantly enhance your success. Use tools like habit trackers, fitness apps, or even a simple journal to monitor your progress. Additionally, consider finding an accountability partner or coach.
Step 5: Adjust and Adapt
Be prepared to adjust and adapt your system as needed. Life is dynamic, and your health and fitness routine should be flexible enough to accommodate changes. Regularly review your progress and make necessary adjustments to stay on track.
Embrace the Journey and Fix Your Broken Health and Fitness Routine
Rebuilding your health and fitness routine after a disruption is a journey, not a destination. It requires patience, perseverance, and a willingness to adapt.
By understanding the challenges, recognizing your existing systems, and implementing the principles of 6 Fitness Nutrition Coaching, you can create a new system that supports your health and fitness goals.
Remember, the goal is not to achieve perfection but to make consistent progress.
Celebrate your small victories and learn from your setbacks. With the right mindset and approach, you can transform your health and fitness routine and achieve lasting success.
Embrace the journey, and know that every step you take brings you closer to a healthier, fitter you.
Don't wait—take the first step toward a better you!
Are you ready to transform your fitness journey and achieve guaranteed results?
Sign up for my fitness and #nutritioncoaching today!
With personalized guidance, support, and a tailored plan, you can reach your goals and enjoy the best shape of your life at any age.
Contact me now to get started!
Meet Your Coach
Hello!
Jon “JB” Brown here, founder and Lead Coach of #6fitnesstrainingsystems. Certified by the National Federation of Professional Trainers, I am also a certified Nutritional Coach with Precision Nutrition.
As a former collegiate athlete competing in football, track and tennis, I also have several years of athletic and sports-specific training under my belt as well.
I have more than twenty successful years in the health and fitness industry and I truly care about helping my clients find the right program that will allow them to enjoy their lives pain-free and to the fullest.
We all have busy lives and things won’t always go to plan, but using a client-centered coaching style I can provide the right support and environment to enable you to be successful with your goals. If you want to feel, perform and look your very best while eliminating the daily aches and pains, then I’m excited to begin working with you!
My goal is to be a positive light in the lives of the people I work with and help all clients to be the healthiest they can be with a coaching philosophy of education, motivation and accountability. I assist those who want to reach their health and fitness goals by providing a fun, friendly, knowledgeable and effective method of training. This goes way beyond helping people look their best but to feel their best through optimal performance, mindset and lifestyle.
Please email me at 6fitnesstrainingsystems@gmail.com with any health, fitness, or nutrition questions you have or if you require more information about myself and the wellness coaching I provide.
Jon Brown
Fitness and Nutrition Coach
6 Fitness and Nutrition
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