The Wellness Column by Matt Spencer
Everyone Has a But:
Overcoming Your Fitness Barriers
Everyone at the gym has a different story, background, schedule, and goals.
Despite these differences, there’s one thing you share with everyone else: you came here looking for help.
That help might involve improving your fitness results, which is why most people walk through the door.
Perhaps you seek guidance with nutrition or mobility. Or maybe you need accountability to stay on track.
No matter what form of help you need, there’s one key indicator of whether or not you’ll be successful: the size of your but.
Say what?
No, not your butt. Although we can help with that too. Today, we’re discussing your BUT.
Your but encompasses all the excuses you tell yourself or others. It is the biggest limiting factor for your fitness results.
Becky’s But: A Cautionary Tale
Here’s an example of what it looks like when a big ol’ but gets in the way:
Becky came into the gym seeking help. She felt out of shape and wanted a plan for losing weight, gaining strength, and feeling like herself again. She was adamant that she had tried everything and was desperate for suggestions.
At CrossFit Orillia, we typically recommend starting with three classes a week. The goal is to get the heart pumping and the body moving.
“BUT… my schedule is really crazy,” Becky explained. “I’m not sure if I can do three classes.”
Since her afternoon schedule was indeed hectic, we suggested she try the 6 or 7 a.m. class. This would allow her to prioritize her fitness results first thing in the morning, preventing the rest of the day from getting away from her.
“BUT… I don’t want to get up that early,” Becky said.
Trying a different approach, we shifted the focus to her nutrition. We recommended aiming to eat more whole foods and less fast food.
“BUT… I don’t have time to cook. Plus, healthy food is so much more expensive.”
As a last-ditch effort, we asked her to start by getting seven hours of sleep that night and drinking at least 64 ounces of water.
“BUT… I hate water,” Becky proclaimed. “Can’t I just get my hydration from coffee and Diet Coke?”
Oh… my… God, Becky. Look at your but. It is SO BIG.
The Problem with Big Buts in Relation to Fitness Results
Your but is truly the one thing standing between you and the fitness results you want to achieve.
Sometimes, people set goals and create a nice little box of parameters around them. For instance, “I want to lose weight BUT only if it doesn’t get in the way of ___.” Or, “I’ll try to eat healthier BUT only if I don’t have to give up ___.”
Unfortunately, this mindset makes it challenging for your coaches at CrossFit Orillia to help you effectively. Our training is proven to work. Over the years, hundreds of people have followed the program and achieved incredible fitness results. Whether it’s fitness, nutrition, stress, or otherwise, we use science and evidence to provide you with a roadmap to success.
And “I don’t want to” is an interesting tactic to refute science.
BUT… I’m Different
In full transparency, most coaches tend to be the “good cop” when guiding you through your fitness journey. We believe in you, and we can’t wait to see you succeed. Even if you miss the mark a few times, we’re not giving up on you. In that sense, we believe you’re special.
BUT… when it comes to the science behind fitness and nutrition, none of us is special. None of us is immune to needing movement and balanced nutrition in our lives.
Yes, our bodies are different. For example, different bodies react differently to certain foods like gluten. We’re not saying that keto or carnivore diets are right or wrong for anyone.
What we can guarantee, though, is that of all the 8.1 billion people in the world, you don’t happen to be the one exception where fitness and nutrition just don’t work.
Here’s the harsh truth: There are people much busier than you who find the time to work out. There are people with crazy food allergies who manage to eat a healthy diet. There are people with less athletic ability than you who don’t let mental barriers stop them from achieving incredible things.
As such, your best fitness results are on the other side of your big but(s).
It’s Time to Bust Your But
So how do you break through those barriers? It’s time to take a good, hard look at your but. Or your list of buts. (And remember, this doesn’t have to be limited to health.)
Identify Your Goals
Start by making a list of your goals. If that seems overwhelming, pick your top three. At the end of each one, attach your but. Sometimes, the harder question to ask is, “What’s my excuse?”
For example, “I want to get in better shape BUT it seems too hard, and I have no idea what to do.”
Be Honest with Yourself
You must be 100% willing to be honest and vulnerable about your buts. That’s how we start identifying the real hurdles keeping you from achieving your fitness results and how to overcome them. Ask yourself why it seems too hard, then write down ways to work around the excuses. Also, consider who you can turn to for help if you have no idea where to start.
Seek Support
Need help? We’ve got your back.
Click the ***Try a Class*** button,
and let’s do this together.
In conclusion, everyone has a but. It’s time to recognize it and take action. By identifying your excuses and seeking support, you can overcome the barriers that stand in your way. Remember, you are not alone in this journey. Together, we can achieve your fitness goals and create lasting change.
Matt Spencer is a coach at Crossfit Orillia. Click the Try a Class link above to come meet him!