The 80/20 Rule

**I shared this on social media yesterday, but wanted to share it on the blog today***

December is such a busy and crazy month for everyone. I feel like it’s only the 8th, but I’m already so behind with everything that needs to get done.

Then you add in the kiddos’ sports schedules, work stuff, family stuff and life can quickly become really overwhelming.

Isn’t this season supposed to be the happiest time of the year? Yet for me, it can be the most stressful season if I’m not careful.

I’m an all or nothing girl, so during busy seasons like these, I often quit what I can’t do 100%. But this year I’ve learned (thanks my coach, Blaire) that being consistent most of the time still yields great results.

Don’t give up just because you can’t hit the gym or workout every single day. Sometimes taking a day to catch up on laundry does more good to your mental health than getting your workout done.

Don’t pass up the company Christmas party or birthday dinner because you don’t want to eat cake. Eat👏🏼the👏🏼dang👏🏼cake. Don’t be so hard on yourself. Find a balance. Follow the 80/20 rule.

I have seasons when I can be 100% most of the time. But during these busy seasons, follow this rule. I force myself to be ok with doing a little less while still being consistent.

Fitness and being healthy doesn’t come easy for everyone and I know that when life happens, that’s often the first to go.

Especially as women, we put ourselves on the back burner while we do for everyone else.

So today, I want to encourage you to not quit just because you can’t do something at 100% right now. Every season in our lives is so different. I remember when I had three littles, I didn’t work out. But after I had Mary, I decided to make some changes in my nutrition. And at the time, that’s all I could do.

After Mackenzie was born, I decided to train for a half marathon. I had to wake up before everyone woke up to get my runs in. And that was ok with me. Honestly that time was so needed to prepare me for the day.

I had seasons where I could do a lot and others when all I could give was three days a week. And I wish that I wouldn’t have been so hard on myself.

That’s why I want to encourage you today to do your best with the time you have in each season of your life. Three workouts a week is still better than none. Five days of being on point with your nutrition plan is still better than eating whatever you want all week. 80% is still better than 0% and I guarantee you will still see results. Or you may just maintain this month and hey, that’s ok too!

Set realistic goals this season to help keep you on track. And don’t be so hard on yourself for missing a workout or having a glass of wine at Christmas dinner.

I love this quote that Blaire shared with me a while back,

“Life happens. Rarely are circumstances going to be ideal. Moving away from the all-or-nothing mentality and letting yourself be consistently good enough will get you further than an all-or-nothing mentality which frequently leaves you with nothing.”

Doing what you can do is still better than doing nothing. So don’t quit. And don’t put off starting just because you can’t give 100%. Do the best you can with the time you have. You’ll be happy you did six months from now!

Happy Tuesday, friends!!

XO

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