At BioFit Performance in Oviedo, FL, I hear the frustration of people all the time. They’ve worked out for a few months, and yet they don’t have the body they imagined when they started. That doesn’t mean that they don’t look better. In fact, in many cases, the difference quite impressive. The problem they’re having is focusing too much on perfection, without noticing how far they’ve come. If that describes you, you need to focus on progress over perfection.
When you focus on progress, you’ll be happier and more motivated to continue.
Everyone wants to look like a model or movie star, but it simply isn’t going to happen in a few weeks. If you started out as a five-foot four, 180 pound potbellied person with a goal of losing 60 pounds and after 20 weeks, lost 40 pounds, while putting on muscle and losing that potbelly, you’ve made a lot of progress and probably look great, but not perfect. Should you be sad or happy. The answer is happy…in fact, you should be elated and proud.
If you’re focused only on perfection, you won’t get the happiness that progress can bring.
One way to avoid the pitfall of looking only toward perfection is to set your big goal and then break it down to smaller ones. You’ll be able to see your accomplishments along the way. If you’re focused on shedding 60 pounds, break it down to losing 2-pounds a week or 8-pounds a month. Each week you’ll be able to check off the box when you lost your two pounds of weight. You can even focus on ten pounds at a time, so you’ll be limited to six celebrations, but it’s still motivating and encouraging.
Striving toward perfection can be a disappointment.
Maybe it isn’t a weight goal that drives you, maybe it’s a look you want. Let’s face it, even celebrities aren’t perfect. Many of the images you see are air brushed and photoshopped, with a make-up artist improving their appearance even before the picture is taken. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t work hard and strive to be the best you that you can be. The more you push toward perfection, especially early on in your workout program, the more discouraged you’re apt to be.
- That doesn’t mean you can’t strive to your perfection. Vince Lombardi said, “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” It means you’ll always be chasing perfection, since it’s unattainable, but can celebrate your progress along the way.
- Learning how to eat healthier is also important. Again, perfection isn’t necessary. If you eat healthy most of the time, but slip and eat a cookie, it’s not a problem. You already made huge progress in changing your eating habits. Just don’t eat the whole box.
- There is one place where perfection counts and that’s form. When you exercise, your form should be perfect so you maximize your benefits and minimize the potential for injury.
- At BioFit Performance, we can help you reach your goals and keep you motivated along the way. Just sticking to the program can help make excellent progress, exactly where everyone should have their focus.
For more information, contact us today at BioFit Performance