There is 1 single thing that wrecks progress more than anything else.
No, it’s not alcohol.
I have a drink or two (or three or four) on most weekends and stay pretty lean.
No, it’s not cookies.
Also a regular part of my routine to indulge on some delicious cookies from time to time.
So, what is it?
Literally the greatest killer of all things progress.
It can feel like a constant peppering of jabs to the body.
Or, it can feel like a giant uppercut to the chin.
Either way, this one thing knocks down more people than Ali in his prime.
The greatest progress killer is …
For those of you that guessed STRESS …
You win 500 POP points.
Stress is a tricky son of a bitch because it’s one of those things that’s hard to quantify and will never completely go away.
We often think the goal is to get rid of stress …
Which is impossible.
In fact, some stress is a good thing.
We often get better and grow because of stress.
However, too much stress is an absolute progress killer.
It throws you off mentally, it can wreck you hormonally, and it can make you feel like giving up and crawling into a dark hole.
So, how much is “too much” stress?
Well that depends.
The definition of “too much stress” depends on a variety of factors.
It depends on the various sources of stress, how long you’ve been dealing with those stressors, and what you’re doing to recover from those stressors.
For example, eating too little is a constant stress on your system.
If you then add the stress of poor sleep and the stress of working out frequently …
You might find yourself up shit’s creek without a paddle.
This is the same position that many of our clients find themselves in.
“I’m eating 1200 calories per day and training like a beast! Why isn’t my body responding?!”
Because you’re being an asshole to your body.
Your body is trying to protect you and keep you alive under the constant “threat” of low calories and being under recovered.
Your body perceives all types of stress as the same.
The other funny thing about stress is that your body doesn’t discriminate the source of stress.
It’s all perceived and handled the same.
Meaning … the same hormonal and chemical reaction that occurs when you’re about to lift some heavy shit is the same hormonal and chemical reaction that occurs when you’re about to rip your spouse’s head off.
All stress is created equal.
Now, some stress lasts longer than others.
And chronic stress is where the major issues arise.
But, it’s important to understand the various sources of stress because you may start to realize why things aren’t progressing for you.
One of the greatest misconceptions that people make when they embark on their health and nutrition journey is that starting a program or hiring a coach is adding stress.
We often hear things like … “I don’t want to add more to my plate.” Or … “I have so much going on in my life right now, I need to wait until things settle down.”
Which is the exact opposite of reality.
First of all, thinking things will calm down and it’ll be smooth sailing at any point is a lie we tell ourselves.
And, if things DID happen to settle down, then that’s probably the time you need coaching the least.
If joining a program feels stressful, it’s because you’ve probably joined a bunch of shitty programs in the past.
Say ‘no’ to the progress killer and ‘yes’ to personalized coaching.
Quality coaching is a stress relief.
You are literally off loading mental energy that you’ve been spending on food. On questioning what to do. On wondering if you’re doing enough or doing the right things.
It’s not adding to your plate. It’s taking a giant chunk of frustration and mental energy off of your plate.
Imagine not having to stress about food. Imagine not having to second guess every decision. How about being able to focus on 1-2 simple AF things that will serve you for life?
There’s a reason why our clients have made progress through some of the most stressful times.
Mel’s client Crystal joined coaching while she was working full time and finishing school full time and ended up losing 10 lbs. in 3 months.
April’s client Holly joined coaching while going through a divorce and raising 3 kids while navigating co-parenting and lost 20 lbs. in 7 months.
Imagine where they’d be if they decided to wait for “things to settle down.”
Well, you can probably answer that question for yourself.
Every time you decided to wait … how did that work out for you?
Look, change is hard.
Our brains will try to trick us and convince us of all the reasons why we should just remain in our comfort zone.
But, deep down your gut instinct will be speaking truth.
Pulling you in the right direction.
The greatest gift of stress relief that you can give yourself …
Is the gift of getting help, support, and guidance.
You know where to find me when you want those things.
