Getting Back on Track After You Have Fallen Off

I think it is safe to say we have all started something (a workout routine, eating healthier, skin care routine, podcast, books just to name a few) and completely fallen off. 

Trust, it is Human nature to get distracted, lose focus and or come up with a million excuses as to why you didn't do the thing you said you would.  By now the “New Year New Me” has worn off and some of us are finding ourselves back where we used to be.  It happens to the best of us but know you can indeed get back to it! 

Do not beat yourself up about it. 

You missed a week or maybe even a month. You are not a bad person. You didn't hurt anyone. The world is not going to end. Let go of the guilt because if you get stuck there,  you will find yourself in a negative feedback loop where you create a (false) narrative of failure. You deserve better than that, so give yourself some grace and know that shit happens . You are not the first or the last to fall off. Instead of wasting time feeling like crap, now is the time to pivot your mindset and map out how you are planning to get back on! 

Do not focus on the past

It is easy to “remember when”. Remember 6 years ago when you were in tip top shape and taking 4 pole classes a week or doing pilates or running  and you had cut arms and a bangin six pack. Life Happens. We have been through a pandemic, had babies, moved, switched jobs, started working remote,  stopped taking classes so often, canceled memberships and more.  You are not the same person you were years ago and that is OK!  The world has changed and we are working to adjust to it. 

Be realistic 

One step at a time is better than nothing! Maybe you fell off track because you set unrealistic goals and expectations that your body or mind could not keep up with. Slow and steady wins the race and going from zero to 100 can only last so long.  If your goal is to have both your right and left split, or a really flexy pole move by a certain date but you haven't been stretching, how realistic is that going to be? Which leads me to the last point…

Make a Plan

Let's say you are  working on a flexy move on the pole. MAKE IT EASY! If you do not ever stretch…begin with committing to stretching ONE day a week for 15-25 mins. Once you can do that for 3-4 weeks then maybe add a day! Same can go for things like posting on Social media. People say all the time “I need to post more” but when you think about posting, you are often left feeling overwhelmed because it seems like so much. Committing to posting once a week for a few weeks is a great plan because you hold yourself accountable and as you feel comfortable you can add a few days of posting a week  to the plan. 

Celebrate Your Wins

Oftentimes, when we let a habit slip there’s a piece of our internal narrative that goes something like, “the changes I wanted aren’t happening fast enough , so this effort is not worth it.” 

Take a moment to see the small victories. Maybe you have been stretching and you notice your back doesn't hurt anymore or that you started getting in 10K steps a day the past 2 weeks and you have more energy and you slept through the night for the first time in months! Just seeing the small accomplishments can be the motivation you need to keep going.