5 Surprising Reasons You May Be Struggling To Stick To Your Plan

Does this situation sound familiar.....

You contact your personal trainer / online coach, pumped up and excited about getting back into a training program. The PT/online coach develops a fantastic program to help you get the exact results she’s looking for. You love it and start out enthusiastically. And then…

… your motivation fizzles.

You start turning up late or canceling altogether.

You aren't following through on the food plan you have been given.

Maybe you hear yourself expressing doubts, like…

• “Maybe this is just too much for me right now…”

• “I think this might not be the right time…”

• “I don’t know if I can keep this up…”

• “Sure, I guess I could probably do that… but…”

What may initially sound like 'excuses' are actually legitimate roadblocks to your adherence to the plan. There are deeper reasons that you're not doing what you've been asked to.

Here are the the TOP 5 reasons and what you can do about them.

1. IDENTITY CONFLICT

It may sound strange, but the way you perceive yourself may be a barrier to change. for example, if you see yourself as 'just a mum' or 'just the breadwinner of the house' then it can be challenging to remain consistent with an identity outside of this identity box. If being fit / active is a stark contrast to this getting into the groove of a lifestyle change may be difficult.

To get through this roadblock, first identify what beliefs you hold about yourself. Then communicate clearly with your PT/coach what is and is not working for you. For example, if setting weight based goals each week doesn't feel good for you, then discuss setting different kinds of goals initially. This will help you create new positive habits and patterns and breaking out of your comfort zone. The consider how becoming a healthier version of yourself can help serve the purpose of who you are. For example, will the 'dedicated mum' be a happier, less tired and more energetic mum?

2. LACK OF CONFIDENCE

Do any of these sound familiar?

• “This isn’t going to work.”

• “It’s going to take so long to get into shape, it’s not even worth it.”

• “I can never stick with things like this.”

If so, you may be lacking confidence. It might be a lack of confidence in:

• Your current abilities

• The efficacy of the program

• Your coaches abilities

… or even your own potential for success.

In some cases, your “inner voice” might be on an endless loop, repeating all the things that could go wrong.

This one’s a biggie.

Self-doubt and a lack of confidence can prevent the workouts and lifestyle changes from ever happening.

Luckily, by working with a coach you’re in a unique position to gain confidence and move toward success.

To get through this roadblock, firstly understand that these concerns are completely normal. most people have a lack of confidence when they are first starting out!

Then identify exactly what you are feeling;

Is the process too HARD? Too LONG? Too EXPENSIVE? Too much WORK? Or something else? Once you have identified what your barriers are, you can work with your PT/ coach on exactly how to overcome them and build confidence gradually.

3. FEELING LIKE YOU DON'T BELONG

Being able to walk into a new place and not have to question whether you fit in is a privilege not afforded to many people.

In many cases, you might never voice your anxiety, feelings of exclusion, and concerns about safety.

Feelings like this are pervasive, and they can be really hard to overcome. While you won’t necessarily be able to forget these concerns entirely, you can take steps to improve your direct environment.

Talking to your PT/coach about your worries can help them help you feel more comfortable. Or, with online training and training at home being so popular nowadays, if you are super uncomfortable in a gym you don't need to go to one. There are many options available to you now.

4. YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH EXPECTATIONS AND JUDGEMENTS PLACED ON YOU BY SOCIETY

Unfortunately, women are used to having their bodies evaluated and criticised all day long.

Four common beliefs that affect women’s body image and may become roadblocks to success include:

Women Must Look a Certain Way to Be “Worthy”

Women must be feminine, but not slutty. Lean, but not too lean. Curvy, but not fat. Basically, women have pretty impossible standards to meet.

Women’s Bodies Are for the Pleasure and Service of Others

Often, women’s self-care is framed as acceptable only because it allows them to then take care of others — instead of taking care of themselves because they’re worthy of care, plainly and simply. (And that’s not even talking about how women are often represented in the media in images that make them appear sexually available in a very subservient way…)

Women’s Bodies Are Up for Scrutiny and Debate

Ever heard comments like, “She’s too skinny” or “She’s too fat to put a photo of herself in a swimsuit online”? Women’s bodies form the basis of far too many (critical, and even cruel) discussions.

Women Don’t Belong or Deserve to “Take Up Too Much Space”

If you’ve ever heard, “Be more ladylike!” or have been run into on a sidewalk when failing to move out of a man’s way, then you know what I mean. Women also are expected to systematically apologize for any inconvenience — no matter the scenario.

Make sure that you feel comfortable by only accepting a zero body shaming tolerance from your PT/coach or in the place you workout. Lots of gyms have a wide variety of clientele and, as I said earlier you can now easily workout from home if you prefer.

If your PT/coach uses language or terminology that makes you feel uncomfortable, such as 'work harder! Don't you want to get rid of the mummy tummy?' or 'Is that all you've got?' feel free to tell them you would rather they didn't use shame-based cues.

5. YOU ARE DEALING WITH EMOTIONAL LABOUR

Emotional labor is the expectation that a person will regulate their emotions, and sometimes others’ as well as their own, to suit particular scenarios. It’s difficult to pinpoint (and define!) because it is so entrenched in our social constructs that we may not realize it’s happening.

While emotional labor is a form of stress, it’s also a huge roadblock, specifically in how it affects women. It’s deeply woven into our social fabric, and it’s often camouflaged as “duty” and “responsibility,” or even as “just what you do.” This makes it very difficult to identify and articulate.

Here are some examples of situations that demand emotional labor of women:

• In the home: Mom is in charge of mediating between arguing children.

• In the workplace: Women are supposed to be assertive, but not too loud or straightforward (or they might be labeled as “bitchy”).

• In social scenarios: Women have their clothing choices picked apart and labeled (e.g., too frumpy, not appropriate for their body type).

• In public spaces: A woman has to be sure not to show a strong reaction to street harassment, like someone catcalling her. If she gives a positive response, then she’s asking for it. If she gives a negative response, then she’s ungrateful and ugly — both of which may put her at risk of physical threat or assault.

All of it gets draining!

Although the phrase “emotional labor” sounds like it is exclusively related to emotions, it can absolutely be physical.

Symptoms of emotional labour can include:

• Fatigue

• Burnout

• Insomnia

• Apathy

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety

Emotional labour is both the exhausting emotion-related work that women do every day and the actual physical tasks they are “responsible” for — which can be draining on a woman’s emotional, mental, and physical capacity. And this can make it near-impossible to follow a plan!!

It would help to have an honest conversation with your coach / PT about what you are feeling overwhelmed by. To understand that such a concept as emotional labour even exists can help you feel less stressed by it. Then focus on coping strategies. Celebrate small wins, such a walking or sleeping more, or getting away from your desk. Also, remember that progress is better than perfection - as long as you are trying and not giving up completely you are working towards your goal.

Imagine starting 2021 working with a coach who really 'gets it' - a coach who understands coaching as more than just anatomy, physiology, nutrition and exercise.

Check out my website - Vanessa.fitbudd.app/packs or my I

NSTAGRAM vanessaphoenix____ and find out how to sign up to let me transform your life next year.