There is a big problem I’ve observed in my working with clients since 2017. I’ve also experienced this problem as sole proprietor in business for myself, with no one else as a boss. This particular problem has also led me to having colleagues mentor me in getting through it – and that is we all need to give ourselves credit where credit is due. It’s also means not being too hard on yourself (look for small victories everywhere), while at the same time not letting yourself off the hook (not succumbing to perceived failures).
This post is going to be simple, quick, and to the point. There can be a tendency for all of us regular fitness enthusiasts as well as gym newbies to get too lost in the big picture, without embracing small victories like getting incrementally a little stronger on a specific lift. Or, for weight-loss clients, to use progress metrics that are either overly complicated or based on what’s considered “standard” – for example, focusing specifically on a particular bodyweight number or BMI, rather than how an old pair of jeans suddenly fit better than they did a month or two ago.
However you choose to measure your progress, use metrics that don’t cause you too much stress if you’re feeling stuck on a plateau. Any metric that encourages patience and persistence with minimal frustration is optimal. A bunch of small victories may not seem impactful on their own, but can cumulatively create a mindset that encourages you to keep working at it. And when it comes to failures to reach a goal or a milestone, taking ownership of that so you can tweak your workout routine is better in the long-run for the learning process than being overly hard on yourself.
Helping a client to see how they can take ownership for as much of their fitness journey as possible is an important part of what I do. This is because if a client decides to go out on their own and continue on the path on their own, they will hopefully have gained the right kind of mindset that allows them to embrace every small victory and take ownership of mistakes or lack of progress. Over time, progress is never linear – there’s always going to be ups and downs. Im always happy to have a conversation with anyone who wants to reach out to me to get some feedback on their approach to their fitness.
