We live in a world of instants. Instant communication, instant coffee, instant results. In fact, much of the fitness industry is built on “instants”. Lose 10 pounds in 2 days, 24-hour detox, 6-pack in 6 minutes a day. All these thing promise quick results with little work.

As a trainer and health coach, these “instants” are extremely frustrating for both my clients and I. For my clients, because they expect to see instant changes in their physique, behavior, and attitude. For me, because I have to teach patience, process, and hard work.

On top of the frustration with not getting instant results, comes the feeling of failure. The feeling of, “Well, I put in a little work, but I’m not seeing the results right now, so I must be a horrible, terrible, no good, very bad person who can never achieve what I want.”

This is the mentality that spurred me to become a health coach in the first place. This is the reason I focus on women’s health and fitness. This is (one of) the reason I write this blog.

Instead of getting so, incredibly negative about yourself – about those 3 pounds you lost and then put back on, about that too-much coffee habit you kicked and then relapsed with, about the increase in calories you achieved and then restricted again – ask yourself the following questions.

Spend time with each of them. Mull them over. Be honest with yourself. And then embrace how far you have come on this health journey and how strong, inspiring, and incredible you truly are.

The questions are listed here, but I highly recommend using this printable to work through them. It will help you work at your own pace, allow you to actually write down your answers, and be a reference for you as you continue moving towards your goals.

1. What have you already changed, or created a healthier habit around, that you are proud of? Why are you proud of this?

2. In what ways do you feel empowered when you hit a health milestone?

3. What are your strengths when it comes to creating a healthier lifestyle for yourself?

4. What are you not willing to change yet? Why? What does this thing/behavior mean to you? What can you do in the meantime while you wait to be ready?

5. How are you getting in your own way? How can you step aside and stop sabotaging yourself?

6. In what ways are you too tough on yourself? How can you be more gentle?

7. What opportunities do you have in your life to make a change?

8. What is one, small thing you can do today to get you closer to your goal?

9. What encouraging words do you have for someone else on a healthier lifestyle journey? What encouraging words do you have for yourself?

You can find the printable with all these questions here.

If you would like to have a sounding board as you answer these questions, please feel free to email me at wreckingroutine@gmail.com. I would love to help you accept how far you’ve come and empower you to continue!

RQ: What behavior have you felt like a “failure” at recently? Which question stands out to you as the most pointed one in your life right now?

Brooke Selb

I’m Brooke Selb, a Personal Trainer and Health Coach specializing in helping busy moms and moms to be to easily juggle mom life with family friendly recipes, and easy exercise routines to help you achieve your fitness goals that fit in with your already busy life with sound nutritional advice.