The Boring Truth About Health & Fitness

You know those nights when you crawl into bed feeling exhausted, only to realize your sheets are clean and fresh out of the laundry? Your bed feels so cozy and comfy. It doesn’t just feel good…it makes it easier to get a good night’s sleep! It’s one of life’s little pleasures, all made possible thanks to a boring habit.

Seriously, how many people wake up saying, “Woohoo! I get to change my sheets today!”? Very few, right? But we do it anyway because of the payoff.

Every Day Habits

The irony is that almost every small pleasure in life…and every success…is built on a foundation of everyday habits. And a lot of those habits are (yes, I’ll say it) boring.

Those habits affect your health, fitness level, skills, even your relationships and retirement account! There’s nothing sexy about the process, it’s just a matter of continually making good choices, showing up, and doing the work.

Choosing to eat healthy foods, even when you don’t want to. Choosing to exercise regularly, especially when you don’t feel like it. Choosing to keep trying a new skill until you master it, even when it’s frustrating. The payoffs are definitely worth it.

Delayed Gratification

But there’s something else you need to know. There’s another habit a lot of people develop in life: the need for instant gratification, wanting what we want, when we want it…right now. Overcoming that habit means learning a new skill: delayed gratification. You can learn it just like you learn every other skill in life—driving, playing an instrument, cooking, writing.

You practice it, one day at a time. Delayed gratification is the ability to say no to a small reward right away in order to get a bigger or more important reward later.

Set Goals

Set specific, measurable, and achievable goals for yourself and work towards them consistently. This will help you focus on the long-term benefits of your actions rather than short-term rewards. Practice mindfulness and self-reflection. Being aware of your thoughts and feelings can help you identify triggers for impulsive behavior, making it easier to resist temptation.

Use Visualization Techniques

Use visualization techniques to imagine the future rewards of your actions. This can help you stay motivated and focused on your goals. Break large tasks into smaller, manageable chunks. This can make it easier to focus on the progress you’re making, and make it less overwhelming to delay gratification. Surround yourself with positive influences and people who support your goals.

It’s also important to remember that developing delayed gratification takes time and practice. Be patient with yourself and give yourself credit for the progress you make.

So what’s one habit you can practice, starting today, that will help you move the needle toward a healthier and fitter body? Let me know.

Do you want a simpler method to reach your fitness goals from experienced coaches who have helped hundreds of people in Austin achieve amazing results? We have a few spots available. Let’s make those small, boring habits work for you!