Fitness: Expectations vs. Reality
Hey Angels and Alphas,
In the age of social media, it’s easy to compare yourself to other people and feel like you’re not up to scratch. Are your abs as chiseled as they are in the before-and-after pictures? Does your body look that good? No? Then why even bother trying to be fit? Because, honestly, the reality of fitness is way less glamorous than it seems from those before photos and those Instagram accounts filled with six-pack selfies. In fact, many of the things you think about health and fitness aren’t actually true!
Getting in shape is hard work
Getting in shape is no easy task. It takes a lot of time, effort, and commitment to get the results you want and to stay healthy. But for some people, it’s worth it for the sense of accomplishment they feel after accomplishing their goal or seeing the way their body looks and feels after all that hard work. There are a lot of misconceptions about working out, such as working out should be fun, or you can’t work out too much. But when you’re serious about getting in shape and you have a specific goal in mind, these misconceptions quickly fade away because you’re focused on what really matters- your workout and your goals!
You won’t see results overnight
We’ve all seen those fitness transformation videos that show someone before and after a quick exercise regimen. The person is sweating profusely, their clothes are in tatters, and they have a newfound sense of self-confidence and well-being. But the truth is, you won’t see results overnight–especially if you’re just starting out with your fitness journey or have been doing it for a while but haven’t found success yet. It takes time to build muscle, lose weight, tone your body, etc.; it’s not something that happens overnight because of one exercise routine or by eating a different kind of food (unless you’re talking about surgery). So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see the changes you want right away–it will come with time!
You will have good days and bad days
The truth is, we all have good days and bad days in the gym and in life. Sometimes you just don’t feel like going for a walk and other times you’re feeling unstoppable and go on a 5 mile run without even realizing it! The key to success with fitness is not always about having the best day ever, but being consistent with your routine no matter how you’re feeling on any given day.
Your diet is just as important as your workout routine
It’s not uncommon for people to have unrealistic expectations about their fitness goals and what it takes to achieve them. The reality is that diet has a huge impact on the success of your fitness routine, and it’s important to maintain realistic expectations when you’re setting out on this journey. There are many factors that influence how quickly you’ll see results, such as genetics, age, current fitness level, stress levels and more. These are things that you can’t change overnight but there are ways to work around them as well as find ways to improve them over time.
You might have to give up some of your favorite foods
The first thing people tell me when I tell them I’m vegan is that it’s too hard to do and they can’t give up their favorite foods. And it’s not just non-vegans who say this, but also some vegans. The truth is that it isn’t any more difficult than giving up other bad habits in your life, such as drinking too much or smoking cigarettes. One of the reasons why people think it’s so difficult to give up meat and animal products is because they’re told from a young age that meat is necessary for complete protein, calcium intake, and a healthy lifestyle. But there are plenty of vegan sources for all these things–and most of these come straight from the earth!
You will have to make time for it
It’s worth it to work out and eat right, but there are always some bumps along the way. It can be discouraging when you don’t see immediate results, but it is important to remember that this is a journey and it will take time to get the body you desire. The best thing you can do is keep at it! You won’t regret investing in yourself.