This weekend my Turbo Kick class was PACKED!  More people came than ever before.  Clearly getting “fit” is high on our list of New Year’s resolutions.  I’m so motivated by the energy, foggy mirrors and soaked pony tails that come out of a packed group fitness class.  Unfortunately, I have to face the reality that this awesome feeling will only last for a short while.  The February “drop off” is just around the corner.  You know what I’m talking about, that point when we all push our resolutions to the back burner.  As a group fitness instructor, this is the month I most dread.  It’s depressing indeed.

The “February drop off” really makes me sad, because I understand why people quit coming to the gym.  I understand because I was one of those people.  I was the person who set out the New Year with high hopes and expectations of perfection.  However, the minute I slipped up, I beat myself up and quit.  I showed myself no grace.  It was all or nothing.  The crazy thing is that many of us think this “do or die” mindset is critical to achieving our goals, but the reality is that aiming for perfection only assures failure.

I had to learn that each day I’m blessed with a clean slate.  What happened yesterday is gone.  It doesn’t matter.  Yeah, even that chocolate cake I smashed and that workout I skipped.  My entire outlook on my health and my weight management changed once I learned to love myself enough to forgive myself for my slip-ups. I had believe that I am worthy of a healthy body despite my occasional lack of discipline.  Indulging and being lazy WILL cause a delay in achieving my goals, BUT I can still achieve my goals as long as I DON’T QUIT – the same goes for you!

So, I simply encourage you to be kind to yourself as you set out to achieve your New Year’s resolutions.  Calling yourself a “fat cow” after enjoying a burger will NOT help you achieve your goals.  However, committing to an extra 30 minutes of cardio will help you 🙂  Hold fast to your goals despite your slip-ups.  We are human.  We are perfectly imperfect.  Embrace it (and keep coming to my Turbo Kick classes.)

Get FIT, Don’t QUIT! xoxo, Brit