How to Overcome Gym Resistance - Ep. 5 of Sam's Fitness Journey

In this episode of the Wellness Diaries podcast, I chat with my client Sam, who candidly discusses her struggle with gym resistance and her fitness journey. Sam opens up about her resistance to the gym, her past experiences with physical activity, and the challenge of maintaining a consistent workout routine. I offer empathy and practical advice, suggesting breaking down gym visits into smaller steps and exploring the underlying reasons for Sam's resistance. We touch on the dangers of comparing oneself to others, especially celebrities, and the importance of setting personal benchmarks for success. Sam reflects on the need for self-compassion and the process of redefining her measures of success, moving away from rigid goals like step counts to more meaningful personal victories. The conversation highlights the importance of mindset, community support, and embracing one's unique journey in fitness and wellness.   TIME STAMPS Sam's history with physical activity (00:00:48) Sam shares her history with physical activity, including her struggles with gym resistance and past experiences with exercise. Overcoming avoidance to the gym (00:02:09) Sam discusses her avoidance of the gym, her past experiences with working out, and her struggles with feeling overwhelmed by the gym environment. Challenges with gym resistance (00:06:12) Sam talks about her recent efforts to overcome her resistance to working out, including her progress with walking and attending an exercise class. Understanding resistance and taking small steps (00:07:18) Ashleigh discusses the reasons behind resistance to the gym and the importance of taking small steps to make the process feel more manageable. Dealing with self-comparison and mindset shifts (00:14:33) Sam and Ashleigh discuss the challenges of self-comparison in relation to past fitness levels and the importance of mindset shifts in accepting changes in fitness priorities. Being understanding and compassionate with oneself (00:17:27) Ashleigh emphasizes the importance of being understanding and compassionate with oneself, especially when fitness priorities and capabilities change over time. Embarking on a Journey of Self-Discovery (00:19:36) Sam discusses her experiences and challenges with self-acceptance and comparison to others. Reframing Success and Self-Compassion (00:20:37) Sam reflects on the impact of comparing herself to others, particularly in terms of fitness and weight loss, and the need for self-compassion. Defining Personal Measures of Success (00:22:20) Sam explores the evolving definition of success and the challenge of transitioning to a more nuanced understanding of personal achievements. Exploring Personal Values (00:26:39) Ashleigh and Sam discuss the importance of identifying and aligning with personal values, and how they impact decision-making. Recognizing the Impact of Values on Behavior (00:33:37) Ashleigh and Sam delve into the influence of personal values on behavior, particularly in relation to health and fitness goals. Navigating Shame and Self-Judgment (00:36:22) Sam addresses feelings of embarrassment and shame related to her experiences at the gym, and the impact of external judgment on her mindset. The importance of not letting others' opinions control us (00:39:24) Discussion on the significance of not allowing others' thoughts to dictate our actions and the potential assumptions we make about others' opinions. Mindset and self-awareness in overcoming resistance (00:40:31) Sam reflects on her mindset and self-awareness in overcoming resistance, acknowledging the importance of being aware of assumptions and projecting onto oneself. Reflecting on past experiences and building awareness (00:41:49) Sam discusses how past experiences and awareness have influenced her current mindset and approach to fitness, emphasizing the importance of being mindful of oneself. Accountability and finding enjoyment in fitness (00:43:04) The role of accountability in maintaining consistency in fitness, finding enjoyment in different workout settings, and the significance of aligning activities with personal values. Encouragement for struggling with gym routine (00:45:31) Sam offers words of encouragement for those struggling with getting back into the gym, emphasizing the importance of relationships and finding activities aligned with personal interests. Exploring varied physical activities and reducing judgment (00:46:57) Discussion on the value of exploring diverse physical activities, reducing judgment, and the significance of trying new activities without fear of commitment. Overcoming barriers and finding enjoyment in fitness (00:48:09) Exploration of individual barriers to fitness, the impact of online subscriptions, and the importance of finding enjoyment in fitness activities. Building new neural pathways and patience with self (00:52:20) Discussion on building new neural pathways for fitness routines, the patience required in the process, and the importance of being kind to oneself. Values and objectivity in behavior (00:54:10) The role of values in coaching, promoting objectivity in behavior, and the significance of understanding personal values in shaping fitness habits. Building new habits and reflecting on progress (00:56:30) Reflection on building new habits, such as eating breakfast, and the excitement for future progress in building new gym habits.     JOIN OUR FB COMMUNITY: https://www.facebook.com/groups/821409229816960   FREEBIES & SPECIAL OFFERS No Brainer Fat Loss Checklist: https://ahubnutrition.myflodesk.com/fatlosschecklist Special 1:1 Coaching Offer for podcast listeners only: https://www.ahubnutrition.com/coachingapplication Group Coaching: https://www.ahubnutrition.com/macromastery Simple Meal Ideas Freebie: https://view.flodesk.com/pages/626c82f91e8046b220253e1b Join the email list: https://ahubnutrition.myflodesk.com/x8208kqszl FIND ME ON IG: https://www.instagram.com/ashleighmariehubbard/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/ahubnutrition/  IG: https://www.instagram.com/thewellnessdiariespodcast/