We’ve all seen the #MotivationalMonday Instagram posts, with those one liners encouraging us to abandon the safety of our lives and join the elite but while it might sound impressive and motivational we shouldn’t leave our comfort zone.

What? Don’t leave our comfort zone? Are you mad?!

It’s all about perception.

The word comfort evokes the images of sitting slumped on the sofa covered in fluffy jumpers scowling at runners as they pass your windows.

It makes us think of all the lazing around the we do. It makes us look at those with six packs and defined tight bodies and think of ourselves as failures in comparison.

Am I right?

So we leave our comfort zone.

We read the #MotivationMonday posts and think

“Today is the day!” 

Throw out the sugar
Eat clean
Train dirty
Get that body by Christmas
GRRR!!!!

Leave the comfort zone behind and kick some ass!!!!!!!!

Too much too soon…

We throw the kitchen sink at it and eventually find that we’re exhausted.

Getting up early to do that workout is a struggle every single time.

Making ‘clean’ meals every day is a chore.

Suddenly the six pack isn’t worth it.

And through pure exhaustion we’re back in our perceived comfort zone, fluffy jumper, slumped on the sofa feeling lazy and like a failure.

How do fit people manage it?

As usual, these one liner motivational quotes are only half of the story.

For example, 10 years ago if someone had told me that I would not only enjoy exercise but that I would routinely walk 10 miles each day and teach several fitness classes I would have laughed.

At the time THAT was massively out of my comfort zone.

Now? That IS my comfort zone. I do it every week. I don’t think twice about it. It has become HABIT.

Habit is the root of success.

Willpower is not enough.

So what are you saying, Ainzlie?

Make your comfort zone a more active and healthier place to be

This can only happen when you decide to stop the drastic sweeping changes that we’re all encouraged to make.

Take small steps.

Commit to one thing.

Do it consistently.

ALL THE DAMN TIME.

Suddenly this one change becomes habit, it becomes comfortable.

You do it without thinking.

It’s non-negotiable.

Your comfort zone becomes an active and healthy place to be and you go through your life seeing the positive benefits.

You can continue to take on more than you’re capable of and that’s fine. But if you want to see long lasting, personalised success you need to learn the art of developing habits. Committing to change that is right for you.

Are you ready for that challenge?

Ainzlie xx