Mental blocks…they creep into our thoughts here and there. Whether they are interfering with our work, our home and family life, or our drive to be the best version of ourselves, these blocks are lurking everywhere, waiting to strike when the time feels right. There are many mental blocks that can wreak havoc on our plans and goals. Here I mention the 5 Top Mental Blocks that I myself, or clients I work with have experienced at some point, when it came to working out or exercise in general.
#1 Doubting Yourself
I would say doubting yourself is the biggest roadblock. The looming question, “what if I can’t?” That negative voice has the tendency to rear its ugly head now and then. It could be that you haven’t worked out in years, or you never worked out before. You have a fear of getting started, and it’s very common. Or you may be pretty fit, but a bit leery about trying a more intense exercise that is sure to push you out of your comfort zone. Either way doubt is the biggest mental block in our way.
#2 Comparing Yourself to Others
This close second plays in our everyday lives, not just in working out. People do it in almost every aspect of life and it’s toxic. Have you ever seen someone, and thought, “I do the same moves that she does…why don’t I look like her? Or “We were both pregnant at the same time, and she lost all her weight already…why not me?” Comparisons to others is a huge demotivator in the field of fitness… don’t play into it.
#3 It’s Either or All or Nothing
For many years in my early stages of fitness, this was me to a tee! If I didn’t spend an hour on the treadmill and only fit in 45 minutes, I was crushed. I felt defeated that I shyed myself 15 minutes! It sounds harsh, but many people have this “all or nothing” attitude, especially with exercise. Or how about missing a day in your consecutive mind of, “I can’t get it in today, the whole week is for not! Why can’t I stay consistent like so and so?… There you go, pulling the “all or nothing attitude,” with a little comparison mixed in. Don’t buy into it.
#4 Fitness is a Need, Not a Want
I’ve worked out my entire life, and I enjoy it…it’s what I do. But honestly there are days when I just don’t feel like it. For whatever reason, sometimes being physical when you’re not in the mood can be daunting. We need to take that mindset and squash it right now. It’s like not always wanting to eat the “healthy, clean choice,” at the party, but it’s a way of life. Fitness is a lifestyle! We gotta live it! More on this in my next podcast…
#5 Negative Feelings and Emotions Creep In
Many behaviors are tied with emotion, or can be untied with emotions. It’s similar to emotional eating. When someone is emotionally struggling, they may turn to food, or some turn to drugs or alcohol, or other types of toxic behaviors. When emotions creep in, you may not want to workout because your sad and this can be perpetual which can create addictions, or in our case, chase us away from exercise. Recognizing the tie of feeling and emotions is just the beginning of rising above it.
So there you have it! 5 mental roadblocks that can steal your thunder and jeopardize your workout. Stay tuned for how we can shift your mindset so your workout prevails.