Many people abandon their new year’s resolutions within weeks. By the time the Super Bowl party rolls around, the diet is ancient history! Can you relate?

So if that’s true, then shouldn’t we put more of our attention on to figuring out why you haven’t been sticking with your program, and what you should do about it?
We were interested in breaking it down – figuring out how to get and spread that ability to stick to it. So here it is. It’s the top 8 reasons why you always seem to fall off the wagon. Understanding the problem better helps lead you to solutions. Rather than worrying about the minutiae of your diet plan, like whether you should be on low carb or high carb, I propose that if you simply focus on these 8 issues, you’ll start getting more lasting results on ANY program. How? By being able to stick with whichever plan you decided was best for you! After all, even if you have one of the best nutrition programs in the world, it doesn’t do you much good if you can’t stick with it.

Here are the 8 reasons why you fall off the wagon
1. No focus: You didn’t set goals, you didn’t put your goals
in writing, and/or you didn’t keep your goals in mind daily
(by reading them, affirming them, looking at a vision board, etc.)
2. No priorities: You may have set a goal, but you didn’t
put it on or near the top of your priorities list. For
example, your goal is six pack abs, but drinking beer and
eating fast food on the weekend is higher on your priorities
list than having a flat stomach.
3. No support system: You tried to go at it alone without a buddy
system, training partners, family, spouse, friends, mentors
or coaches. There’s no one to turn to for information and emotional support
when the going got tough.
4. No Accountability: You didn’t keep score for your own
accountability – with a progress chart, weight record,
measurements, food journal, training journal, and you didn’t
set up external accountability (i.e., report to someone else
or show your results to someone else)
5. No patience: You were only thinking short term and had
unrealistic expectations. You expected 10 pounds a week or
5lbs a week or 3lbs a week, so the first week you
lost “only” 1 or 2lbs or hit a plateau, you gave up.
6. No planning: You winged it. You walked into the gym
without having a workout in hand, on paper, you didn’t plan
your workouts into your weekly schedule. You didn’t have a
menu on paper. You didn’t make time (so instead you made
excuses, like “I’m too busy”).
7. No balance: Your diet or training program was too extreme.
You went the all or nothing “I want it now” route instead
of the moderate, slow-and-steady wins the race route.
8. No personalization: Your nutrition or training program
was the wrong one for you. It might have worked for someone
else, but it didn’t suit your schedule, personality, lifestyle,
disposition or body type.

So there you have it – 8 mistakes that cause most people to fall off the wagon. Are you guilty of any of these transgressions? If so, the solutions are clear and simple: Focus, prioritize, get support, be accountable, be patient, plan, balance, and personalize. For accountability and support, there is no better tool than to join a support community like ours. You’re invited to learn more about how to get the most out of your fitness program and how to finally get that weight off. We’re holding a free seminar tomorrow (February 2nd) at 7:30, but room is limited so reserve your spot today. To register for the seminar, click here: 24 Day Challenge Seminar. We’ll get you back on that wagon.