Logo Logo
  • Home
  • About Conduit
    • History
  • Why Conduit?
    • For Runners
  • Rates / Packages
  • Conduit Blog
  • Contact Conduit

Habits and Trend Lines

March 29, 2021 by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Goals, Self-Care tags: change, consistency, evaluate, execution, fitness approach, goal setting, habits, imperfection, patience, resilience, setting intentions, taking action

Have you ever set a fitness goal, achieved that goal, and then gone back to your previous not-as-active habits…even though you were hoping that the fitness goal would inspire an ongoing change in your exercise behavior?

Or, have you ever been in a place where you were skipping exercise more often than not because you were exercising when you felt motivated and skipping it when you didn’t have the energy or inspiration?

What about this? Have you ever been consistent with exercise for a period of weeks and given up when you haven’t seen any noticeable changes?

If so, you are not alone.

Sometimes we value other activities more than exercise, and sometimes we choose other self-care activities in place of exercise.

Sometimes we want to see progress and — even though changes are happening — we’re not able to see the progress we are making. When this happens, we might get frustrated.

Maybe we are measuring our progress using ineffective tools or, perhaps, we are just too close to ourselves to see the minuscule changes that are manifesting.

Many of us have been through similar situations and have wondered when the exercise habit would stick for us.

Becoming more self-aware can help you to be more consistent with exercise. Understanding your preferences and taking those preferences into account when making decisions can help you to design a fitness routine that works for you.

Observing your thoughts regarding exercise can help as well, especially if you practice celebrating your wins and begin to short-circuit your self-criticism.

Being kind to yourself when you don’t complete an activity as planned can provide an opportunity to try again without as much stress as you might feel when you are being critical of yourself.

Take this example: when learning a new skill, such as playing an instrument or learning a second language, you might not be great at it when you start. Even when you have some practice with that new skill, chances are good that you will still make a mistake from time to time. If you are stressed about making mistakes, you might make more mistakes than if you continue to practice with an open mind and a willingness to learn.

Consider building a new habit as a learning process, where you will get better at your new habit with practice over time.

Take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect, and do your best in the moment. Accept any mistakes as part of the process.

Trust yourself to make the choices that are right for you each day and aim to improve over time.

As long as your fitness trend line is going the way you want it to go, you’re on the right track.

You can also switch gears and change directions if you choose.

If you are feeling like your fitness trend line isn’t going the way you want it to go, start with one thing that you can change and work on mastering that habit to change the trajectory of your trend line.

About The Author: Erica McClurkin

Erica McClurkin is an NASM Certified Personal Trainer, Corrective Exercise Specialist, and Women's Fitness Specialist. More than a few years ago, Erica experienced the benefits of working with a personal trainer, including getting stronger, becoming a faster runner, and having more energy. Seeing firsthand how getting in shape has transformed her life, Erica wishes to inspire others to exercise regularly in a way that brings them joy. Supporting other women as they prioritize self-care through fitness is her mission. Erica loves to run, eat delicious plant-based food, and sleep. In her free time, Erica enjoys watching action movies with her husband or curling up next to her cat with a good book.
The Answer
An Outsized Return

Related Posts

  • Wellness in Winter, Part 1
    February 01, 2021 0 comments
    Do you love winter? I can’t say that it’s my favorite time of year, though I appreciate that the Read more!
  • Challenge Yourself
    August 09, 2021 0 comments
    While you may be striving toward an improved fitness level, you can also acknowledge and appreciate Read more!
  • Life and Fitness. Fitness and Life. Good Luck Separating the Two.
    August 18, 2019 0 comments
    One’s life and physical fitness are intertwined. Though I believe everything is connected and touch Read more!

Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.

Recent Posts
  • Challenge Yourself
  • Try Something New
  • Rest and Invest
  • Set a Timer and Go
  • Consistency, Technology, and Choice
Recent Comments
  • Karen Charvat on Changing Seasons, Changing Routines
Archives
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • October 2016
  • August 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
Categories
  • Exercise
  • Featured
  • Feelings
  • Goals
  • Interviews
  • Nutrition
  • Self-Care
  • Three Tips
Follow Conduit
Facebookinstagram
216.904.7676
© 2016-2025 Conduit Fitness, LLC. All Rights Reserved. | TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY