Stop Self-Sabotaging on Your Fitness Journey

Self-sabotage is potentially one of the ickiest topics to discuss when facing the challenge of getting in better shape. Our lifestyles consist of so many components that it's hard to keep track of which play the biggest role in our decisions and, thus, our outcomes. Have you ever been doing really well with your health habits and then somehow found a way to turn back to old ways? I know I have in the past. You may ask yourself where that comes from, and I’d like to attempt to clarify this issue without taking up too much of your time. Let's start with God’s word!

James 1:23-24 says For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like.

I start here because God’s word clearly instructs us how to navigate the inner struggles we face as human beings. Whether it be lust, pride, selfishness, anger, or doubt, God gives us clarity around the causes, effects, and solutions of these types of struggles. We then must apply what we learn to get the result he promises. Self-sabotage is not a matter of mere action but of belief. It is the byproduct of self-doubt, fear, and a negative view of oneself. If you are doing well in an area you believe you will not fully succeed in because of the experience of your past or some other reasoning, you will find a way to return to what feels…” normal” or familiar.

The biggest problem is not the actions themselves but the causes of those self-sabotaging actions. Therefore, we must address the root when determining how to stop self-sabotaging on your fitness journey.

What do you believe about yourself?

What do you believe is possible for you?

What do you believe about your situation?

These are tough questions to answer, but without a proper understanding of what lies beneath the surface of your actions, you will end up like the person described in Proverbs 26:11, "Like a dog that returns to his vomit is a fool who repeats his folly."

It is not enough to know that something is wrong. It must progress to a deep conviction that what you are doing is against the will of God and, therefore, not something you can give yourself permission to do any longer, regardless of the circumstance."To live is Christ," and this is the motto I urge you to recite as you seek to overcome this obstacle once and for all. Christ is our standard. His will drives our ship, his truths master our mindsets, and he sits on the throne of our hearts. Allow this to be your anchor in health, finance, relationships, and every other part of your life.

Self-sabotaging isn't something you’re stuck with simply because it's been a part of your life. We all do it from time to time, and it’s truly up to us to grab hold of the reigns God has extended to us through the death and resurrection of Jesus and his spirit so that the flesh does not master us but, in fact, are walking in the Spirit as he instructs. Give this some thought today. I know it's a lot to unpack, but it's worth it to do the deep work required to break free on your fitness journey and in any other area of your life that is affected by this character trait.

We all need to work with God on becoming more like Christ, and this is one area you cannot afford to ignore any longer if that's what you’ve been doing. It affects your life in more ways than you may realize and now is the time to put an end to it.

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Do you need support on your fitness journey? Would you like a team of Christ-centered coaches to guide you through the mental and physical obstacles that have prevented you from seeing true and lasting results?

Team Fitizen is open for enrollment, and we have a few spots available for one-on-one coaching with Coach Aaron and me. We will work side by side with you for 6 months, teaching you how to navigate nutrition, exercise, and life in general with a kingdom approach built for busy believers with a mission and a commitment to the Lord. We only take on so many people at a time because we want every person we work with to experience the level of support they deserve. Attention to detail and authenticity are big requirements of that. You don't have to be alone in this fight if you don't want to be.

Schedule a call here so we can explore your goals and needs further. Then, we’ll map out a strategy that meets you where you’re at and will get you much farther down the road to where you want to be and where God is calling you. Have an amazing day, and remember to live Temple Strong.

Your coach and brother in the faith,

Matt