Keep Going. Keep Growing.

Why Changing the Plan Doesn't Mean Giving Up.

Life doesn't always go to plan. Neither does fitness. But that doesn't mean you have to stop wanting more for yourself.

I've started again more times than I can count.

And believe me, I know how frustrating that can be.

I've gone from being someone who struggled with their weight and lacked confidence, to losing seven stone and achieving things I never would have imagined possible.

I've also experienced what it's like to have to change my goals, rethink what I'm capable of and accept that sometimes life has other ideas.

And I'll admit, that's not always easy.

Especially when you remember what you used to be able to do.

It's very easy to focus on what you've lost, what you haven't achieved or how far away you feel from where you want to be.

But something I've learned over the years is that just because you can't do something the way you used to doesn't mean you can't still achieve something brilliant.

Sometimes you just need a different plan.

Changing the Plan Isn't Giving Up

I think we can get so caught up in how we imagined things would look that we struggle when they turn out differently.

Maybe you planned to get fit this year, but work, family or life got in the way.

Maybe you were training regularly, feeling great, and then something happened that knocked you off track.

Or maybe you've spent months telling yourself you'll start on Monday.

And you've now had approximately 47 Mondays. 😂

Sound familiar?

Here's the thing.

Changing your approach isn't failure.

Sometimes it's exactly what you need to do to move forward.

That might mean training twice a week instead of five. It might mean starting at home rather than joining a gym. Or it might mean setting yourself a completely different goal because your circumstances have changed.

I've had to do this myself, and I know it can be difficult to accept that things might look different from what you'd originally planned.

But different doesn't automatically mean worse.

And starting again doesn't mean starting from nothing.

You've still got everything you've learned along the way.

Being Realistic Doesn't Mean Settling for Less

This is something I feel really strongly about, both personally and as a coach.

I absolutely believe fitness should fit around your life rather than take it over.

But I also believe in challenging yourself.

Because there's a difference between being realistic about your circumstances and convincing yourself you're not capable of more.

And sometimes we all need reminding of that. Myself included!

You don't need to train every day, follow a perfect diet or turn your whole life upside down.

But you do need to be willing to put some effort in.

To make time where you can.

To try things that feel a little uncomfortable.

To keep showing up, even when the initial excitement has worn off.

Because progress doesn't come from getting everything right.

It comes from consistently doing the things that move you forward.

And sometimes that means giving yourself a little push when you'd much rather sit on the couch!

I Don't Want You Leaving a Session Feeling Broken

One of the things I love most about being a personal trainer is watching someone surprise themselves.

Someone who didn't think they could lift a certain weight, but they do.

Someone who was nervous about exercising, but finishes a session with a huge smile.

Or someone who arrives feeling a bit flat and leaves feeling ten times better about themselves.

That's what I love about coaching.

And something I've always believed is that a good workout shouldn't be measured by how absolutely shattered you are afterwards.

Don't get me wrong, I want people to work hard. I want them to challenge themselves, push outside their comfort zone and discover what they're capable of.

But I don't want them finishing a session feeling completely broken and dreading the thought of coming back.

I want them to feel they've achieved something.

To look back and think, "Actually, I really enjoyed that."

Maybe not halfway through the squats, mind you! 😂

But afterwards, when they realise what they've done.

More than anything, I want them thinking, "If I can do that, I wonder what else I could do?"

Because that's when something changes.

Fitness stops being something you feel you have to do and starts becoming something you actually want to do.

And that, to me, is what good coaching is all about.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Who You Used to Be

This is probably one of the biggest lessons I've had to learn myself.

It's so easy to look back at a previous version of yourself and compare everything you're doing now to what you could do then.

How far you could run.

How much you could lift.

How fit you felt.

Or even how you looked.

I've certainly been guilty of it.

But I've also realised that constantly comparing yourself to the past can stop you seeing what's possible in the future.

My own fitness journey has changed enormously over the years.

And while I still have moments when I wish I could do everything I once did, I'm learning to appreciate what I can do now and find new things to work towards.

Because I still want to challenge myself.

I still want to achieve things.

And I still want to enjoy being active.

It just might look a little different these days.

You can be proud of what you've achieved in the past without expecting your future to look exactly the same.

Confidence Comes From Doing

Something I've noticed over the years is that people often wait until they feel confident before trying something new.

They want to feel fitter before joining a gym.

Stronger before lifting weights.

Or more comfortable in themselves before putting themselves out there.

But confidence rarely works that way.

It comes from giving things a go.

From doing something you didn't think you could.

From achieving those little things that gradually turn into bigger things.

And sometimes it comes from having someone in your corner who believes in you before you quite believe in yourself.

I've been on both sides of that.

I've been the person who lacked confidence and wondered whether I belonged in a gym.

And I've been the coach watching someone realise they're capable of so much more than they thought.

Both experiences have shaped how I coach today.

Because I don't just want someone to become fitter or stronger.

I want them to feel proud of themselves, recognise their potential and start believing in what they can achieve.

And hopefully have a good laugh along the way!

So, What's Next for You?

Maybe you've lost your way a little.

Maybe you've been putting things off.

Or maybe you're doing okay, but deep down you know you'd like to feel fitter, stronger, healthier or more confident.

Whatever your starting point, you don't have to settle for staying where you are.

You don't need a dramatic transformation or a completely new lifestyle.

You need a goal that means something to you, a plan that works for your circumstances, and the willingness to keep working towards it.

Some weeks you'll make brilliant progress.

Other weeks you'll need to adapt.

And occasionally, you'll have to start again.

That's life.

But don't underestimate what you're capable of achieving just because your journey hasn't gone exactly as planned.

Keep going. Keep growing. And give yourself the chance to find out what else you're capable of.

A Little Help Along the Way?

That's exactly why I created Built for Real Life, my online coaching programme.

Because I believe fitness should fit around your life, but I also believe you deserve to see what you're capable of achieving.

You'll have a personalised training programme, ongoing support, accountability and a coach who's firmly in your corner.

I'll understand when life gets complicated, help you adapt when things change, and give you a push when I know you've got more to give.

Because I don't believe fitness should take over your life.

I believe it should help you get more out of it.

And if you're ready to start working towards something for yourself, I'd love to help you get there.

Lorna x