How Analysis Paralysis Holds You Back

Engaging in discussions about a new workout routine can create a false sense of progress. Buying new exercise gear feels like a step forward, yet often, you haven’t actually burned a calorie outside of your shopping spree. You might even plan a route for a morning jog that never happens or talk about techniques with colleagues, giving the illusion of being part of the fitness community. The truth is, you’re stuck in the planning phase, unaware of it. The silver lining is that once you recognize this pattern, it becomes more challenging to continue the cycle. Similar to how turning on the lights dispels shadows, gaining awareness allows you to break free. So, the next time you find yourself shopping for running shoes, you might chuckle and finally take that crucial step out the door to take action.

Reframing Your Motivation to Work Out

Now that we’ve cleared that up, it’s time to share the hack—the underlying reason. Generally, we all share a few common motivations: to get fit, enhance our appearance, improve our well-being, and boost our health. While these are all valid and achievable goals, they require the right mindset. Today’s society thrives on instant gratification and constant dopamine hits from our devices and social media. With long-term objectives like losing 25 pounds, the rewards feel distant, making it easy to feel disheartened while sweating on the treadmill. You might think, “Am I doing this wrong?” leading you to give up once again.

Insert Get Fit Hack Here:

Photo by the blowup on Unsplash

Let’s shelf the goal of fitness for now. Instead, let’s focus on what happens during and after your workout. While the immediate effects may seem unpleasant, have you ever considered how invigorating you feel afterward? Exercise triggers the release of a cocktail of endorphins in your brain, alleviating pain and enhancing your mood significantly. This phenomenon, known as the brain reward cascade, involves key chemicals like serotonin, noradrenaline, and, most importantly, dopamine. These are the benefits we’re pursuing during our workouts.

The New You!

This euphoric feeling can last throughout your day, likely making it a fantastic one. You may have excelled in a morning meeting or engaged more warmly with the cashier at the grocery store, perhaps even complimenting their work. This is your new objective: to chase that uplifting feeling. Instant gratification achieved! And the best part? It occurs every time you work out.

Achieving Fitness Beyond the Scale

This is what we should focus on—not losing 15 pounds before your next vacation or squeezing into a wedding dress that’s two sizes too small. Those positive outcomes will naturally follow, provided you stay consistent. The key is to make the results a secondary goal. Your primary objective now becomes how your workout makes you feel. This is what you’ll discuss with coworkers and reward yourself for after completing five out of seven workouts in a week. This is the hack, and it will work.

Before long, you’ll notice those secondary goals materializing. At this juncture, you may find that the hack is no longer necessary, allowing you to adjust your ambitions and perhaps consider participating in a local 5K or eyeing that dress you once thought was unattainable. Once you gain momentum, push your limits and explore your full potential. If fitness isn’t your only focus for improvement, check out the article titled The #1 Habit Change Tip for 2022. Your only constraints are those you impose on yourself. Start there, and you’ll establish a solid foundation for overcoming future challenges.