Change Is Hard - What You Do Versus What You Want
Do you want it enough?
Over my years as a PT, I’ve lost count of the number of people who’ve said things like this to me – whether they’re clients or just people I meet when they find out what I do for a living:
“Oh, I want to lose this weight… but”
“I really want to get fitter”
“I want to look super strong”
You get the idea. Heck, I bet you’ve said something along those lines yourself at some point (I know I have – and I’m a trainer!). Here’s the brutal truth: You’re making excuses. You don’t want it enough.
Sorry to serve up the bitter pill – but most people say they really want to achieve something, then derail themselves through lack of discipline, willpower, or effort, and hide behind excuses. (I’m speaking from experience here – my brilliant partner has called me out on it before!)
So, why do we let ourselves fail?
Because we don’t want it enough.
Take diet, for example. Every client who’s told me they want to lose body fat will fail – no matter how many times I tell them to increase protein, adjust calories, etc, until their desire to change becomes stronger than their excuses.
It goes round and round in circles. We fail – until we’re tired of failing.
Real change takes real commitment
That kind of commitment takes time, and yes – sometimes sacrifice. You’ve got to be willing to make the lifestyle shifts that get you where you want to be. I often tell clients: You won’t progress until you want it badly enough.
And every single time I see someone finally break through and reach that personal milestone, it’s a sign. A sign that they’re done settling for the status quo – and the WANT for change has become stronger than the pull of the easy option.
So ask yourself honestly: What do you truly WANT? Because your body – and your life – will reflect what you genuinely want most in that moment. Don’t beat yourself up for failing. Just recognise that your desire to change hasn’t yet become your top priority.
We’re a species that loves a shortcut – the easy route, the path of least resistance. But the truth is: Nothing worth having ever comes easy.
