Not Reaching Your Fitness Goals? Figure Out Why!

By Donna Stark

Losing weight can be one of the most difficult challenges in your life and the roller coaster of emotions can often be too much to deal with. On one hand, there's excitement, hope, and elation, and on the other, there's disappointment, frustration, and despair. If you are working out regularly and watching what you eat, and still landing in the valleys of this roller coaster ride, it may be time to reconsider what you are doing that is blocking you from reaching your goals.

Figuring Out the Why

You are putting in the time and effort to lose the weight and improve your health, but the results you were shooting for still haven't materialized and your frustration levels are through the roof. What in the world is going on? It may be time to take a step back and look at your health and fitness journey with a critical eye. Here are just a few of the reasons why you may not be reaching your goals.

• Are you overeating? - Sure, you are filling your plates with fruit, vegetables, fish, and heart-healthy fats, but are you eating too much of the good stuff? You see, even if the food you are consuming is organic, nutrient-dense, and approved by the smartest dietitians out there, you still need to remember your portion sizes. A spoonful of almond butter is great, but 10 spoonfuls? You get the point.
• Are you letting your weekends sabotage your hard work? - Eating healthy and exercising during the week is fantastic, but if you reward yourself for all of that hard work by letting go on the weekends you will most likely not make any gains. Don't allow your weekends to be your downfall! Just pick one part of your weekend to reward yourself and do it in moderation.
• Are you not resting or sleeping enough? - Sleep is the time when your body works its magic, when it releases the hormones that boost muscle recovery and growth. If you aren't getting enough quality rest, this recovery process can be slowed down significantly, which means reaching your goals is slowed down as well. It's important to give your muscles plenty of time to rest, recover, and rebuild.
• Are you not pushing yourself hard enough? - Sure, you are hitting the gym a couple of times a week, but what are your workouts like? Are you still lifting the same weight that you started with? Have your exercise routines become stagnant? Simply going through the motions as you exercise may not be enough, so challenge yourself by making your workouts a little more difficult.

Reaching Your Goals

Listen, if you are already putting in the time and effort to lose your extra weight, then why not figure out why the results aren't coming and make the necessary changes? Let's turn your frustration into pure elation when you step on that scale and get you back on the path to success!

To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in West Sacramento, Calif.