Perfectly Imperfect: Taking Your Diet & Exercise Program Too Far?
Who among us takes their diet or exercise program a tad too far? Do you ever overthink or even overdo it on your diet and exercise? Do you painfully consider what to eat and what exercise to choose? Do you cut calories or exercise too much? I know I can and I am pretty sure I am not alone.
In my third conversation of our ongoing series “Imperfectly Perfect” with my colleague Katie McDonald, we delve into the allure of doing too much to pursue our ideal wellness. Katie and I understand the struggles that come with being strivers and perfectionists. We know that by addressing this tendency, we will help women take the crucial step toward recognizing their worth, building solid stress resilience practices, and creating a wellness plan that brings us the most joy and fulfillment.
Many women take it “too far” – the very magnetic allure of overdoing fitness, cardio, and diet. Katie and I agreed this default is rooted in our shared experiences of over-productivity and our desire for success, especially in the way we look. It's tempting to chase perfection by filling our schedules with grueling workouts and endless cardio, believing that the more we accomplish, the closer and faster we'll get to our goals. I’ll admit that even I tend to over-train when I’m feeling stressed. My training can be that area in my life where I feel like I can actually accomplish something. Deep down I know that “living in my body” will inform me it is too much and it’s time to scale back.
It's never too late to break free from the pattern of overdoing it. It is more important to forgive ourselves for those moments when we deviate from habits that contribute to our well-being. By setting realistic goals, granting ourselves the grace for adequate rest, and evaluating our priorities and core values, we will live in alignment.
One of my coaches, Craig Ballantyne, teaches that "structure equals freedom.” Adopting a disciplined approach not only safeguards our wellness goals but also empowers us to thrive within self-defined boundaries.
I want to share that the 80% rule can be a great place to start for recovering proverbs and strivers. The 80/20 Rule - originally created for business - can be applied to wellness. If we meet our goals 80 percent of the time, I believe this is a huge step toward reaching goals. 80% is enough structure to allow you the freedom to achieve your goals and maintain the balance necessary to keep your stress in check.
Katie and I also discuss a deeper truth, one that’s hard to confront—the compulsion to do too much which often stems from a sense of inadequacy. It’s important to remind ourselves constantly that we are worthy and enough. We connect with our strong selves when we “live inside our bodies,” when we are fully aware of how we are feeling top to bottom physically, emotionally, and mentally. I call it “checking in” with me. This is a perfect time to sense when we’re relying on “too much-ness,” and rest in the fact that we are enough, just as we are.
In essence, releasing ourselves from the chains of “too much-ness” is a practice that helps to find contentment in the knowledge that perfection is unnecessary. There is no need to do too much, you are already more than enough. We're thrilled to have you join us in this series as we collectively strive to find peace and authenticity in our beautifully imperfect and completely worthy selves.
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