By: Jennifer Hefner
HH MINDSET: PUSHING THROUGH ROADBLOCKS AND SETBACKS
RE-SET. RE-ADJUST.
RE-START. RE-FOCUS.
AS MANY TIMES AS YOU NEED TO.
JUST DON’T QUIT.
~AUTHOR UNKNOWN~
We’ve all been there. And if you haven’t been there yet, congratulations! But honestly, most of us have been there many times. We are going through life all happy go lucky, we are rocking our workouts or nutrition. Then BAM! We hit a wall, a plateau, or a roadblock. Call it what you like, but obstacles and challenges pop up when we least expect it. Or maybe you are oh so close to breaking through the first 5-10 pounds of your weight loss journey, or better yet close to losing those last 5 pounds and you experience a week of sluggishness. You just aren’t getting the results you want, or you just feel like quitting. What do we do when this happens?
Our mindset is what we have to go back to in order to breakthrough these frustrating times. Challenges might be frustrating, but they are also what makes us stronger. You may experience “burnout,” yes this is a big one! Or you may enter a very busy phase in your life with your work or family. But finding clarity in your why, or maybe reinventing yourself with different types of exercise can help get you back on track. Also, don’t compare yourself to another person. Your journey is your journey!
So today, I am going to share a few reflections from our own Healthy Harrison leader, Abby Veigel. I got straight to it and asked her some questions in regards to dealing with challenges. So, let’s see how she faces them head on!
Questions:
How have you pushed through a challenge/roadblock/plateau in your health journey?
Abby: “I never let a slip become a slide. We are all human and we can't be 100% consistent all the time but we can realize when we get off track and get right back on. I also know the workouts and healthy foods that I love and I always go back to those when I lose motivation.”
Where do you find motivation on days you feel sluggish or like quitting?
Abby: “I look back at pictures of when I weighed over 300 lbs and I remember what that felt like. My rock bottom is my motivation to keep climbing every day. I also have 2 girls who I know are watching me every day. I want to be an example of what a strong, healthy woman looks like.”
What motivational words do you use when you need some encouragement?
Abby: “One job I will never have is that of a motivational speaker, so I can't say that I have great words of motivation. But I always remind myself of God's word and I strive to live by it every day: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” I also remind myself that growth comes with struggle, so not all days are going to be easy but they are part of the journey.
What keeps you going on your health journey?
Abby: I know what depression, obesity and hopelessness feels like and I also know what healthy, hopeful and joy feel like. They all play a role in keeping me going and continuing to make healthy choices every day. I also know that I am a source of knowledge and motivation for others. 1 Corinthians 9:27 says "I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should, Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." I have to walk the walk if I'm going to talk the talk!
Abby has such a great mindset when it comes to refocusing on the components of her journey. She is a great example of knowing what her “why” is and putting that back into perspective for herself when she needs to. And you can see she goes back to what has worked for her regarding her workouts and nutrition. Finding the positives and what you love to do is a great way to reset and refocus.
I hope that as you face challenges in your health journey that you remember what your why is and focus in on the positives. And, education is power! Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or someone who inspires you how they deal with roadblocks or plateaus. You will be surprised to learn that they too encounter these issues. But the disciplined and fearless will face these roadblocks head on and be overcomers. They don’t quit, they persevere.
With this, I must leave you with the following, famous words that might mean more to you now than ever before! Nike knows how to keep it simple and straight to the point! “ JUST DO IT!“ And, for you old folks out there, straight from Billy Ocean himself:
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going!”
~Jennifer Hefner, HH Mindset Coach