Why can’t I get my SH*T together?
You’ve done it. You’ve seen the results you hoped for—maybe even surpassed them.
Clothes are fitting better, energy is up, and confidence is higher than it’s been in years.
But lately, things feel... off. Your drive comes in waves, and some days, you find it hard to push through.
You wonder, “What’s wrong with me?” "Why can't I get my sh*t together?" (This was an actual question from my personal training & nutrition client, Amanda.)
The answer? Absolutely nothing.
Let’s Get Real About Your Fitness Journey
Progress isn’t a straight line. It ebbs and flows, just like life. You’re not meant to be “on” 24/7, 365 days a year. That expectation isn’t just unrealistic—it’s EXHAUSTING!
If we’re being honest, even the most dedicated athletes/people experience phases where their performance dips or stalls.
Why should you be any different?
Here’s the truth (and I've said this many times before):
Consistency matters more than perfection. Over the long term, those ebbs will smooth out, and the overall trajectory will still point upward.
Think of your fitness journey as a marathon, not a sprint. Some miles will feel effortless, while others will make you question why you even started. But each step counts.
The Role of Maintenance In Your Fitness Journey
Here’s another thing we need to normalize: maintenance.
It’s not failure; it’s a vital part of the process and your success. Your body needs time to adapt to the progress you’ve made.
These periods of holding steady are what solidify your gains, giving you a stronger foundation for the next push forward.
Improvement comes in cycles. You’ll have moments of intense growth, times of leveling out, and yes, even phases where you might take a small step back.
That’s not regression—it’s being human. The key is knowing that the big picture still reflects growth.
Redefine Your Fitness Wins
When you’re feeling stuck or unmotivated, zoom out. What's the 10,000 foot view? Instead of focusing on the scale or that one tough workout, think about the bigger wins:
Do you feel stronger or more confident than when you started?
Are you making healthier choices more often than not?
Can you look back and see how far you’ve come?
If you can answer “yes” to any of these, then congratulations—you’re winning.
How to Stay the Course Throughout Your Fitness Journey
When your mindset isn’t where you want it to be, here are a few tips to keep moving forward:
Set Small Goals: Not every goal needs to be life-changing. Aiming to drink more water or get an extra hour of sleep can have a ripple effect.
Celebrate Maintenance: A week of maintaining your weight or fitness level is just as valuable as a week of gains.
Reconnect with Your Why: Remember why you started this journey. Was it for your health? To set an example for your family? Or some weight loss or strength goal? Revisit that purpose.
Remember, it’s okay to pause and regroup. The most important thing is not to give up. Keep going! You don’t have to be perfect to make progress—you just need to keep showing up.
And don't forget ...
GIVE YOUR BODY WHAT IT NEEDS, WHEN IT NEEDS IT!
Jaime Rothermich, RD, CSSD, LD, PPSCxKB, CSCS
Functional Elements Training and Nutrition
TRAIN FOR LIFE
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