Client Story: "I was Preparing for the worst...."

"I was preparing for the worst, but such a small thing that has really made me proud of my progress".

This was the last sentence in a message a client sent me recently to share a positive change and "ah ha" moment she experienced.

We've been working together only since September (it's December as I write this) and as always, nothing my client and I have done together is rocket science. We've had some wonderful discussions, questions asked, thoughts and ideas shared etc. As with many clients, some days if she's exhausted from work (she works nights) we'll go for a "Walk n' Talk" instead to not only still move her body in a different way, but also get some good conversation and discussions in surrounding mindset, habits and more. She's done really well for herself and she's enjoyed the shift in perspective and approach that we work on together.

Recently she asked for one of these walking sessions after feeling a "lack of motivation". On that walk, she realized that she actually wasn't experiencing a "lack of motivation", but rather the fact that SHE WAS POOPED out and had nothing more to give (and she didn't have to give any more either)!! She had been working her butt off for a couple weeks, which would certainly tire her or anyone out. I was quick to point out that EVEN WITH ALL that going on, she STILL HIT ALL HER WEEKLY goals in terms of habits and routines we had set together!! THAT is NOT a motivation issue. That comes down to realizing she's doing ENOUGH and can listen to her body saying "I'm tired" and "I'm good with this right now". She came out of that walking session with a different mindset than when she arrived. 😉

Fast forward a week later (still working hard at work and STILL HITTING all her targets) and she shares this message with me:

"Feeling good today. Historically, jeans have been fitting a little tighter this time of year. I put on a pair of jeans I was a bit nervous about and haven't worn in a while, and guess what? They fit great! I was preparing for the worst, but such a small thing that has really made me proud of my progress".

*Fun fact: I learned at her next session following this message that the last time she had these jeans fitting this way was after crushing herself with a weight loss effort in the past (which also ended up hurting herself because she was pushing too hard). Wow! The "ah ha" moment this time around for her was the fact that she was in the same jeans as she was then, with what felt like a much easier effort AND she's not injured! 👏 The difference is, what she WAS doing then WAS NOT sustainable for her. THIS approach IS. ✔

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What I loved from the coaching side here is that this realization and progression for her came shortly after feeling down on herself (as so many of us do). Yet, she wasn't experiencing lack of motivation or effort in any way - she was experiencing HUMAN LIFE.

Progression, like life, is NOT linear.

There WILL BE ups and downs (ALWAYS).

We have LIMITED energy to give on any given day.

None of it means "you're failing" or that you "should" or "need" to push more on yourself. It's a reminder to TRUST THE PROCESS, STAY THE COURSE and continue to provide healthy actions and opportunities for your body - Mother Nature will do the rest. 😉