The True Secret to Success
Everybody wants to know the secret to success, that one pill or strategy that will magically change them into that fit, healthy individual they've always wanted to be. Here's the real secret: those things don't exist.
In an age of instant gratification, it's easy to want success immediately. However, if you want lasting success the only way you'll reach it is to do the right things and be patient.
Fitness changes don't happen overnight. They accumulate over long periods of time and because of that, sometimes results don't happen when we think they should. This is what's called the plateau of latent potential. As you can see in the graph, This is one major reason most people quit after a month or two. They know they're doing the right things but don't see it on the surface, so they get discouraged (valley of disappointment). Real success happens after longer than 6-8 weeks, and it's also different for everybody. Two people doing the same exact things will most likely have different paths to results.
So, if you're doing the right things but aren't seeing success, ask yourself 2 questions.
1. Are you sure you're doing the right things? Oftentimes we think we are, but can be misled by theories on the internet, fad diets, and the like. To know for sure that what you're doing is accurate for your goals, your best option is to ask a professional. They can tell you if what you're doing is right, how to make it better, and help you stay accountable to those actions.
2. How long have you been doing it? The human body is extremely stubborn when it comes to lasting changes. 4-8 weeks is not enough time to make significant progress. If it does happen, it's almost always temporary, not sustainable, and probably due to extreme measures. Once consistent, solid effort and habits have been established past that short time period, then the body will start to adapt and make real changes that will become more and more sustainable the longer you stay on track.
Don't get us wrong, this isn't easy. It takes hard work, dedication, and most of all...patience. Even though you may not see surface-level results for the first few weeks of your fitness journey, don't fall into that valley of disappointment. Know that your progress is coming along, it just needs enough time to break through. And when it does, you'll be grateful you stuck to it.
