Clinging to The Peak

After someone has had success, they cling onto it. It is evidence that they can do it. What they often remember and thus reflect on: the peak of their consistency, the peak of their nutrition, being in the peak shape of their body.

What they don’t remember and reflect on: that it took x months to build up to that. It took 3 weeks to get the water down. It may have taken three months to work up to being consistent with exercise three to four days a week. They don’t reflect on the problem solving and patience it took. Instead, they berate themselves for getting off track, compare where they are now to their peak body, which may have taken months or years to work up to.

This past athlete mentality might make them rush into getting back on track out of anxiety. Too much rushing and pushing can lead to injury, burnout, or just a bad feeling about it. I was working out 5 days a week at my peak, so if I don’t jump back into that, I am not doing enough. This leads to a disappointed and negative feelings despite doing 3 or 4 days a week of exercise compared to zero the weeks before. Compare that to going from zero to 3 and seeing that you are getting 3 days of consistent workouts already.

Focus on doing better than yesterday. If you do better than yesterday, you will move forward, make progress, & WIN.

Focus on doing better than yesterday. If you do better than yesterday, you will move forward, make progress, & WIN.

It doesn’t mean it will take as long as it did before, because one has already learned many of the lessons that are likely to repeat themselves. So, please don’t get frustrated when I use terms of time like months or years. Remember, people often feel ‘on track’ suddenly when they lose only one pound or get 1 week of consistency going. Your self trust can change in a few days.