By Nate Sleger
Can you feel it in the air? The fitness season is upon us! That magical time between September and October when we collectively shift our focus back to health and fitness goals.
Summer is over, school is back in session, and vacations are winding down. Routines are becoming more structured, and we have a bit more control over our calendars. Now is the time to start preparing for a healthier lifestyle.
I absolutely love this time of year. There's just something about the change of seasons and getting back into a routine that sparks motivation. I thrive on structure and consistency, which makes the fitness season the perfect time to improve my health.
And I know I'm not alone. Every year I see people coming back to the gym after taking a break over summer. Folks are dusting off workout equipment and trying to use it consistently. Grocery shopping is getting more attention as meal prep becomes possible again.
It's awesome to see this renewed focus on health, and I want to help make sure you set yourself up for success this time.
After years in the fitness industry, I've seen countless people start the fitness season strong only to drop off after a few weeks. But with the right mindset and focus, this can be the year that change sticks.
Here are 3 tips to make this your most successful fitness season ever:
## 1. Be the Tortoise
Remember the story about the tortoise and the hare? The speedy hare dashes ahead but gets distracted and ends up losing to the slow, steady tortoise.
When it comes to fitness, we need to channel that steady tortoise mentality.
It's easy to blast out of the starting blocks, pumped up about our goals. We start an intense workout plan or restrictive diet, determined to see quick results.
But that level of intensity isn't sustainable. We eventually burn out, get injured, or ditch the rigid diet. Quick changes rarely stick long-term.
Instead, take it slow and steady like the tortoise. Ease into new routines and make gradual adjustments you know you can stick to 80% of the time.
Rapid, dramatic changes overwhelm your system. But small, consistent steps allow your whole lifestyle to shift alongside your goals. Those accumulated small changes end up being big over time!
So relax. You’ve got this! Just start taking small steps forward each day, maintaining focus but also being kind to yourself. Progress will happen if you simply commit to the process.
## 2. Clear Focus
Next, get very specific about your focus. Improving overall health is great, but generic goals lead to lackluster results.
Get detailed. What exactly do you want to accomplish? How will your daily habits need to shift to get there?
For example, “eat healthier” is vague. Be precise:
- What foods will you eat more of?
- How much will you eat?
- When will you prepare and eat these foods?
- Where will you shop for them?
See the difference? Outline the specifics so you know exactly which small changes are needed. These become the daily "switches" to flip to activate your goals.
This clarity is crucial. When focus gets fuzzy, motivation fizzles out. So get granular with the daily habits that will lead to your desired results.
Make them so simple and precise that it’s obvious whether you did them or not each day. Now you have clear markers to track progress and stay motivated.
## 3. Change One Thing at a Time
This leads to the final tip: only tackle one or two habit changes at once. Three is the max before focus scatters.
Pick the one shift that will make the biggest difference right now. All your energy goes toward locking in that habit.
Once it sticks, move to the next small change. Momentum will build as these changes compound over time.
Jumping into major overhauls on exercise, diet, sleep, and more is a recipe for failure. We only have so much willpower and mental bandwidth!
Focus your power on one meaningful habit at a time. Consistency breeds success.
So there you have it - 3 keys to crush your health goals this fitness season:
1. Be the steady Tortoise
2. Get hyper-focused
3. Change one habit at a time
Follow this advice and I guarantee you’ll make progress over the next couple months.
Small steps forward each day add up to big results over time. By staying consistent, you’ll transform your habits and become the healthiest version of yourself yet!
The fitness season provides the perfect jumpstart. But this is about building lifestyle changes that last well beyond autumn. You’ve got so much potential - now go achieve it!
Let me know if I can help. I offer a coaching program with guidance on habit building, nutrition, and more. Just visit beginwithin.fit/coaching to learn more.
Wishing you incredible success this season! Now get out there and crush those goals. You’ve got this!!
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