We all have one. That voice inside your head that can, and does, stop you from doing what you intend to do. Your inner saboteur. Your Sneaky Mofo (SMF).
If your SMF had its way, you might not have started training in the first place. Now that you have, you’ve got to be mindful that it doesn’t sabotage you along the way.
Meet Your SMF
A Sneaky Mofo likes to talk about itself, its gripes, and it tends to complain and whine a lot. The most important thing is to hear but not listen, acknowledge but not act.
SMFs don’t give a shit about your fitness goals. They don’t care about lowering cholesterol, improving posture, or getting stronger. They simply whisper sweet promises of junk food, copious amounts of wine, and coerce you away from the workout you intended to do after work.
In my experience, if you let that SMF whisper with abandon, its voice just gets louder and the objections stronger. Results can include lethargy, back pain, high body fat percentage, depression, lack of strength, and couch potato-like symptoms. Yuck.
The Classic SMF Lines (And How to Respond)
“I’m too busy”
This is total and utter bollocks. A person will always find time to do something if they really want to. You know this, I know this.
If you can’t find an hour, can you find 30 minutes? 20 minutes? Express workouts of 20-30 minutes per day can be incredibly effective. Quality not quantity.
“Training isn’t my priority at the moment. I’ve got to do x, y, and z…”
Think about what your other priorities are and work around them. Regular exercise will give you MORE energy for the kids, your partner, or that big project at work, not less.
“I’m too tired”
Initially you will be a bit tired after starting a regular exercise routine. But if you stick to it, your energy levels and zest for life will go up. This is one of the benefits of consistent training.
When I take a few weeks off training (which doesn’t happen often), I feel like I don’t have as much energy during the day and feel much more sluggish and sleepy in the afternoons.
Not All Saboteurs Are On The Inside
Making positive changes can sometimes result in others around you reacting in ways that don’t support your journey. Don’t be surprised if a colleague, friend, or even a loved one tries to sabotage your efforts.
It sometimes suits people for you to stay just as you are. You might be their ‘smoke break buddy’, the last mate standing with them at Friday night drinks, or the partner that shares their love of nightly junk food. It can be confronting for them when you start to say no.
Here’s how to navigate it:
- Chat to them directly and ask for their support
- Try to get them on board too
- Change the situation (swap the smoke break for a lunchtime walk and chat)
- In extreme cases, create distance from people who actively undermine your health
Balance, Not Obsession
We’re not crazy strict or obsessive about lifestyle, food, and training, and we don’t expect or want you to be either. Everyone loves a great night out with friends, a few drinks, a delicious dessert, a night dancing, an indulgent takeaway on the couch.
For you, it’s simply a case of choosing when and where this fits in with the action plan you’ve decided upon for your journey.
The goal is to turn down the volume on your Sneaky Mofo so you can live your best life. Recognise the voice. Question it. Then do what you came here to do anyway.
You’ve got this.
