Forget Being Perfect - Embrace “all or Something”

SWAP ALL OR NOTHING FOR ALL OR SOMETHING

You’ve heard of the term “all or nothing mindset” - but do you know if you are currently stuck in it? All or nothing thinking is often what stands in the way of us reaching our fitness and health goals.

Read on to find out how to identify it, and how you can turn that mindset into “all or something”!

Firstly, here are the two most common ways an all or nothing mindset presents in fitness and nutrition:

• alternating periods of “being good” and being off track

  - lots of people are stuck in a cycle of severely restricting their food intake and exercising religiously during the week, followed by a big food blowout on the weekend and very little physical activity. This often leaves us with nothing to show in terms of results because they are cancelling each other out.

• letting one slip up turn into binge eating, or missing one workout and writing off the entire week

  - another way we sabotage ourselves is with trying to do everything perfectly, and allowing anything that isn’t quite right to spiral into something more.

• Does one or both of those things sound familiar? By taking steps to reject all or nothing thinking and embrace “all or something”, you canbring yourself closer to achieving your goals!
• introduce some treat foods into the week, and bring some healthy foods into the weekend

  - moderation is the opposite of all or nothing thinking. Rather than forbidding anything enjoyable during the week, bring in a mid-week dessert (or something else you like!). Balance this by bringing some of your healthy habits into the weekend - a workout or a walk, an alcohol free day or a healthy breakfast or lunch at home

• set yourself a range to work within for training

  - rather than setting yourself the goal of 4 sessions a week, give yourself a range of 3-5 sessions. This way you’re always going to get something done, rather than declaring the whole week a failure after missing one or two sessions - remember that even one session is better than nothing.

• just do something!

  Even when everything feels completely disastrous or out of your control, do something that tips the scales in the right direction. Had too much to drink? Have a glass of water. Feel like you’ve eaten too much today, or eaten “badly”? Make your next meal nutritious (fill your plate with fresh veggies and lean protein). Can’t get to the gym? Go for a walk, have a quick stretch in your living room, play with the kids or get out in the garden. It all counts!

• remember that it’s not about being perfect

  - it’s about doing the best you can and looking for ways in which you can improve. Putting all or something into practise takes time so be kind to yourself while you work at it!