Ever feel like you’re spinning your wheels at the gym? You’re putting in the work, but the results just aren’t showing up like they used to. Before you start second-guessing your entire workout routine, let’s take a step back and look at the bigger picture.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of overanalyzing our gym time. We start wondering:
– Am I doing the right exercises?
– Should I change up the order?
– Is my weight too heavy or too light?
– Do I need more cardio? Less cardio?
– Am I not training enough? Or maybe too much?
Sure, these factors can play a role. But here’s a perspective shift for you: There are 168 hours in a week. If you’re spending 3 hours at the gym, that leaves a whopping 165 hours where your choices outside the gym are influencing your results.
So, let’s talk about the “Other 165.” How’s your:
1. Nutrition? Are you fueling your body with a rainbow of veggies and lean proteins, or relying on quick, processed foods?
2. Sleep? The National Sleep Foundation recommends 7-9 hours for adults. Where do you fall on that spectrum?
3. Stress levels? Do you feel like you’re calmly navigating life, or constantly trying to outrun a grizzly bear?
4. Stress management? Are you using healthy strategies like meditation or walks in nature, or falling back on less beneficial coping mechanisms?
Research backs this up. A study in the “Journal of Health Psychology” found that stress can significantly impact weight loss efforts, even when diet and exercise are on point.
This week, I challenge you to pick one area from the “Other 165” and focus on improving it. Track your progress. You might be surprised at how much better you feel, how your gym performance improves, and how those results start showing up again.
Remember, fitness is a holistic journey. It’s not just about what happens in the gym – it’s about how you live your life outside of it too.
Keep moving forward,