Unfortunately, in our world today, there are many factors working against our health- mentally, physically, environmentally, etc. This can even be the case when we intentionally make “healthy” choices.
So, if your health and fitness is of the utmost importance for you, I encourage you to take inventory: are you sabotaging your health in ways you don’t even realize?
6 Ways You’re Sabotaging Your Health and Fitness
Many health-focused individuals are guilty of subconsciously sabotaging their goals. I know I am! In effort to help you become the healthiest various of yourself, consider these ways you might be ruining your progress, unknowingly:
- Sitting All Day
Did you know sitting for extended periods of time is one of the biggest dangers to your health? According to Harvard Health, “Habitual inactivity raises risks for obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, deep-vein thrombosis, and metabolic syndrome.” If your job requires you to sit all day, there are a few ways to prevent sitting from sabotaging your health:
- Take a break every hour to stand, stretch, and walk.
- Invest in a standing desk.
- Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
- Sit on a stability ball.
- Forcing Yourself
Coercing yourself into a “healthy lifestyle” is actually counterproductive. In fact, forcing yourself to adopt new habits, practices, or changes that you’re not ready for can be more dangerous in the long-run. Instead, make one, small change at a time. And focus on the changes that you’re ready to tackle!
- Making Yourself Hurt
You know what they say: no pain, no gain. However, nothing about “pain” is healthy. Am I right? Actually, physical pain has no correlation to physical progress. So, it’s time to ditch the “no pain, no gain” mentality. Instead, focus on mindful, intentional movements and you’ll experience quicker, stronger, and lasting health improvements.
- Carrying an All-or-Nothing Mentality
For many, an all-or-nothing mentality can make or break their progress. For example: when you find yourself binging on a Friday night hamburger and french fries, do you automatically discount the whole weekend? Carrying the kind of all-or-nothing mentality sets you up for failure. Instead, be gracious with yourself. Accept that you will fail sometimes. And, how you move forward will determine your success. Remember this: iust as one salad won’t make you healthy, one order of french won’t ruin your health!
- Talking Negatively to Yourself
Have you heard of the mind-body connection? Believe it or not, your mental and physical health go hand-in-hand. Meaning, when negative self-talk bombards your brain, it can also negatively affect your physical health! Given the strong connection between your mind and body, negative self-talk is powerful enough to sabotage your health. For this reason, it’s critical to be your body’s biggest supporter. Consider speaking self-affirmations out loud on a daily basis to counteract any negativity!
- Failing to Plan
Fail to plan and plan to fail. Preparation is the key to achieving any goal, especially when it comes to health and fitness. Life is busy, unexpected, and chaotic most of the time. In order to make your health a priority, planning ahead is key. For example: schedule your workouts one week in advance, plan your meals and shop for groceries on a weekly basis, and set a consistent bedtime that you can stick to.
So, are you sabotaging your health- in ways you’re not even aware of? The good news is: awareness is the first step to correcting these behaviors. With a little intentionality, you can overcome any self-sabotaging and become your healthiest self!
