By Naomi Rabon, NW Fitness Team Trainer
 

The expectations you have of what your life should be like and how things actually unfold throughout your life can look very different from what you envision. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and can sometimes be what makes life so amazing – and what keeps it interesting, magical and, well, unexpectedly exciting.
 

EXPECTATIONS VS. REALITY

Your fitness journey is no exception. As I am sure you very well know by now, how you think your fitness journey is going to go, and how it is actually going may not be exactly what you pictured in your head (thanks social media). But even more apparent are the results you think you should be getting and the time frame you think you should be getting them in.

“Why isn’t it happening like all those fitness posts you see on Instagram and YouTube?” You might think to yourself.
 

ENJOY THE PROCESS!

The expectation of how things should work, in what order and in what period of time, and then what really happens in real life can (almost 100% of the time) be two completely different things. But – and this is a big butt, no pun intended – just because things aren’t happening the way you think they should be, and in the time frame you thing they should happen doesn’t mean that things aren’t working. It just means they aren’t working the way you want them to, or how you want them to, or in the time you want them to.

All you have to do is put in the work and do all the things you know you’re supposed to be doing in order to get the results you’re aiming for, the rest is just a matter of being open to how your unique journey unfolds in its own beautiful way and time. How awesome is that?
 

CHANGE YOUR PERSPECTIVE, CHANGE YOUR LIFE

Here’s what you should keep in mind to be able to revel in your fitness journey by keeping your expectations in check:
 

1. Keep your eyes “on your own paper.” Are you focusing on your journey? On your goals? Or are you checking out other people’s fitness journey and feeling like you should be doing more, or adopting someone else’s workouts and nutrition plan?

Hey, if it is working for you, if you can fit everything into your schedule and your life, that is what matters! If your fitness journey is making magic for you in all the ways it needs to, don’t get caught up in comparing how much someone else is doing or what they are eating or how many times they are working out or what their workouts consist of.

This could prompt you to bounce from one fitness program to the next to the next and neglect what you were doing in the first place. If it works, keep doing it. If it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it.
 

2. Measuring progress in a positive way with the right tools. Are the tools you are using to measure your progress helping you assess your journey towards your goals? Make sure all the tools you are using are actually helping you assess your results, such as progress pictures, how your clothes are fitting, your sleep quality, and your energy and strength levels.

Some tools that could hinder your mental perspective and attitude regarding your progress could include weight on a scale and measurements, which may not always give you the whole picture.
 

3. Every little step forward is progress. When you assess your progress, are you moving in the right direction? If so, then what you are doing is working. Period.
 

4. Where are your expectations coming from? Check your expectation sources: are they coming from within you, or from outside influences? Do you look at social media posts from fitness influencers and think “I’ve been working hard and eating what I’m supposed to, so why don’t I look like that?”

The truth is, you have no idea what someone else has been through to get to where they are, nor should it be relevant to your journey, unless you are going to use it as motivation to keep forging ahead. Someone else’s results, success and journey shouldn’t result in you feeling bad about yourself, which leads me to my next point.
 

5. Revel in your journey! You are so unique and special and amazing, and so is your fitness journey! Be proud of where you are, who you are and where you’re headed. Be confident in your ability to be better each day. Embrace your body exactly how it is right now and say these words: “I love myself and care about my body exactly how it is so much that I want to make choices each day to make it stronger, fitter and healthier every day!”
 

IT’S ALL ON YOU

You are the only one with your body, and you are the only one who can create the most
incredible version of yourself possible while enjoying your journey towards progress.
Embrace the unique journey you can call your own, appreciate the path that is made
just for you, and celebrate your amazing progress throughout your healthy journey.
 
 
 

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One of the trainers on Nicole’s elite NW Fitness Training Team, Naomi is a certified Personal Trainer and Fitness Specialist through the National Academy of Sports Medicine. She is a NPC Figure competitor who has been involved in the health and fitness industry for over 12 years.
 
Go here to find out more about training with the NW Fitness Training Team!