My Failed Fitness Journey can help you Show up Everyday - Effortlessly!
1043 weeks - that’s how long it took me to get here.
Gym, Meditation, Dance, Sports - I’ve tried it all.
The benefits of staying fit was never something I needed to be convinced of. But no matter what I tried, I kept failing, I kept quitting.
Until a simple shift in perspective made it all click.
Have you also struggled to stick with something that’s good for you?
My failed fitness attempts can help you break that cycle.
Learning from Missteps
Sports have forever been a part of my life.
I participated in the school march past and competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m races during sports day. I remember the year when I did all of this at the same event.
Yes, I fainted on the tracks after completing the 400m race.
No, I did not win.
I was also on the school basketball team. I never aimed to compete but I played for the sheer joy of it.
During summer breaks, I played cricket with my cousins and occasionally tried my hand at goalkeeping.
In high school and college, badminton with friends kept me active. After I started working, I cherished morning walks with my dad, while listening to podcasts.
I couldn't stay consistent with any of these, no matter how much I enjoyed them.
Can you spot me here? ☝
Is failing the new me?
As I got busy chasing deadlines, my fitness took the back burner.
I joined the gym as a New Year's resolution, paid for 3 months, but only went for the 1st month.
Last year, I learnt table tennis and snooker, which became a bonding activity with my dad.
I tried cardio at home and joined a dance fitness class.
Consistency kept ignoring me.
Every time I heard people talk about staying fit, all I felt was guilt.
Have I been too hard on myself?
Recently, I've started walking again, mostly in the mornings. This helps me think better.
One morning, I noticed strangers around me: some brisk walking, some doing yoga, some jogging, and others playing sports.
I admired them as I walked and wondered why I couldn't stay consistent.
Then it hit me: even though I haven't stuck to one thing for months or years, I've been constantly trying different activities.
I've been consistent in my inconsistency, in failing, and in trying.
I never gave up; I just switched things up when I got bored or when things got tough.
But I always chose to keep going.
Reflective Prompts
I asked myself some key questions that helped me understand why I struggled.
If you've been trying to build any habit, big or small, grab a pen and paper and jot down your answers.
For small habits, think about goals like exercising regularly, reading daily, or drinking more water.
For bigger habits, consider objectives like saving money or starting a new career.
Let's figure this out together.
By the end, these self-reflecting questions will help you chart your own unique path to success.
1. Why do I want to do this?
Staying fit gives me more energy to do what I love, like taking up more speaking gigs and traveling. It helps me look and feel better, boosting my confidence and ego.
I am doing this to treat my body right and feel good.
Most importantly, fitness promises a longer life, allowing me more time with family and friends. More opportunities to achieve my dreams.
“A healthy person has many problems, but a sick person has just one."
- Unknown
2. What are my Challenges?
The gym feels boring, and I don't vibe with the trainers. The monotony drains the fun out of it.
However, I’ve realized that if fitness activities are enjoyable, require minimal effort to start, and are easy to maintain, they can be less daunting.
Now I try to set achievable goals. I keep trying new things to find an activity that is both fun and beneficial.
Not everyone has to hit the gym or do specific cardio to get fit.
I do what works for me.
3. What can cause less friction?
Showing up is a success.
Here’s how I am getting rid of any scope for excuses or backing out:
Keeping my workout/sports kit handy and visible
Having a buddy who lives nearby to play with
Having calendar blocks and reminders
Ensuring appropriate sleep, rest, food, and overall health
I don’t pick something I think is “good for me”—instead, I focus on something I love.
Auto-regulating my habits have also helped.
I plan to get a big wall calendar and a couple of markers.
Every day I succeed, I’ll put a big green checkmark ✅ in the box.
Every day I don't, there will be a big red ❌.
The visual of not wanting to break the chain of green checkmarks could work.
It is a simple solution that will save me from overthinking.
4. How can I be more Consistent?
Incorporating fitness into my daily routine and seeing immediate, tangible benefits can help. It should make me happy and not stress me out.
If I fail, I aim to understand what went wrong, get back into the routine with baby steps.
Self Reminder: Build slow. Nobody has the same body. Don’t push yourself because you cannot do the same thing as a professional.
5. What will I do on Bad/Off days?
Sometimes I may not hit the targets and that’s okay.
No workout is a failed workout—every small movement counts. I call these my small wins.
Cutting down on junk food and sweets
Saying no to alcohol
Not using my phone first thing in the morning
Doing basic stretches multiple times a day
Factoring in the fact that bad days happen to everybody, from absolute beginners to the most elite. Sometimes I will have off days, and I won't even know why.
I’m only failing when I give up entirely.
"Never let success go to your head, and never let failure go to your heart."
- Chinese Proverb
6. What will I do differently this time?
I avoid talking too much about my fitness goals publicly to dodge any teasing if I slip. I resist unnecessary ego boosts that lead to complacency. I’m trying not to stress over missed sessions.
Staying happy is key to my consistency.
Progress is not linear. Other people's opinion of me is none of my business.
I’m incorporating "minimal" workouts when my motivation is just too low.
I’ve developed a home routine—something short, simple, with no equipment.
7. How is my Self Talk?
Some people have terrible self-talk.
It’s important to speak to yourself like you would speak to a friend.
Sometimes we tell ourselves : “I’m such a failure—I can’t even do one rep of this exercise—just give up!”
But would I say the same to a loved one? Probably not.
Now I treat myself with the same basic level of respect as I would a friend. I remind myself of the reason why I started and how it’s helping me.
Things like - improved mood, clothes fitting better, receiving compliments about looking younger than I am.
I started to use those in my self-talk.
Self Reflection for Success:
Here’s a quick recap of the questions we went through today:
Why do you want to do this?
What is stopping you?
What can cause less friction?
How can you be more Consistent?
What will you do when you have Bad/Off days?
What can you do differently this time?
How is my Self Talk?
Don’t forget to note down your answers in the Comments!
Reflect, Adapt, and Persist
Think about why you want to stay fit. Maybe it's to have more energy for playing with your kids or to feel confident at an upcoming event. Recognize what's holding you back—whether it's a busy schedule or lack of motivation.
Find ways to make it easier, like keeping your workout clothes ready or finding a workout buddy.
When you have bad days, don't beat yourself up. Instead, plan small, manageable steps to get back on track. If jogging every morning feels daunting, start with a short walk.
Celebrate your small wins, like choosing a healthy snack or doing a quick stretch.
"The only limit to our realization of tomorrow is our doubts of today."
– Franklin D. Roosevelt
The Beauty of Blunders
Embrace your mistakes—they're part of the journey. If you skip a workout, don't dwell on it. Try something new the next day, like a dance class or a bike ride. Each attempt teaches you something valuable.
For instance, if the gym isn't your thing, maybe a weekly hiking trip with friends is. If you find running boring, perhaps a team sport like soccer or basketball will keep you motivated.
Redefine FAILure:
Focus on small steps
Accept failures as part of the process
Initiate new attempts regularly
Learn from each experience
The key is to keep trying and enjoying the process.
"Fall seven times, stand up eight." – Japanese Proverb
3, 2, 1, blast off!
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