You Want Small Wins, Not Six Pack Abs

As an athlete, would you go from the locker room to full-on sprints? Not if you are smart –because you would perform poorly and probably get injured. Even though setting that PR might be the ultimate goal, get to the top. We all need to warm up for the big stuff and it’s the same for the other areas of our lives, from business to personal finances to adopting new healthy lifestyles. Just like in business, celebrating small wins will help you create a roadmap for where you want to go in the long term.

For those of us who aren’t elite athletes, the early months of the year are often the reset point and a fresh start on our business goals and health ambitions. One of the reasons that people fail at their goals, however, is because they fall victim to the ‘false hope’ syndrome.

We chase the rush, declaring big hopes, big dreams and then abandon all efforts when reality sets in.

Healthwise, the most common fallback goals are claiming to want six pack abs and lose 20 pounds. People think that they should want these things because society told us we should or, once we get skinny or lean, we think that we will have finally achieved happiness and social acceptance and that all our problems will melt away.

Yet, none of us are entirely sure how to actually get a six pack. The information out there is confusing and contradictory, especially considering each one of us have different physiologies and lifestyles. And even if we do lose those 20 pounds or start to see abs peeking through, it won’t be enough. You still won’t feel happy. You will get caught in a vicious cycle where, no matter what, you want to lose more weight and see more abs.

The diet industry has capitalized on our ‘false hope’ tendencies and confusion by inundating us with 30-day challenges, quick fixes, cleanses, etc.

If you have a health-related goal in mind, answer this question: on a scale of 1-10, how important is your goal and how willing are you to make sacrifices to achieve it? If the answer is below a 7, you will want to rethink your plan. Don’t just set a goal for the sake of having one, or that isn’t truly relevant or important to you. What do you think you will really get from having six pack abs? Perhaps a health-related goal isn’t in the cards for you this year or you need outside help from a doctor, trainer, or health coach to figure out your health priorities.

Another common example these days is controlling your sugar intake. Most people jump to trying to cut their sugar completely, cold turkey. We are literally addicted to sugar and it is everywhere, creeping around in the most unexpected places – yogurt, oatmeal, condiments, etc. Trying to kick your sugar habit is extremely challenging but, if successful, has many health benefits. Start with a day or two a week of no added sugar. When you are able to maintain that goal for a month and feel more confident, start to up your game. Slow and steady is the name of the game.

Whether it’s a paper calendar with smiley faces or an app on your phone, create a system where you can track when you go to the gym or have a no-sugar day.

Another huge mental barrier we face when trying to adopt a healthier lifestyle is the “all-or-nothing approach.” Holidays, birthdays, and illnesses happen. You are not perfect. Sometimes we eat cake. Sometimes we stay in bed instead of going to the gym. But we need to be better than those 30-day challenges and start to recognize the power of consistent effort over a long period of time. Do athletes win every single competition they play? Absolutely not. They lose. They have off-seasons. They get injured. But athletes, and you, can still come out on top by accepting setbacks and challenges as just part of the game.

Treat your health goals the same way you treat your professional targets. Investing just a little time in organization and planning can give you the confidence and plan to finally get active and eat healthier for long-term success!