Hey there. For a long time, I approached weight loss with an all-or-nothing mindset. I was either completely “on” and following a plan perfectly, or I was “off” and feeling like I had failed. Over time, I learned that this way of thinking was holding me back more than it was helping me. That’s when I started building my foundation around my preferences, and it has completely changed the way I approach eating, exercise, and my active lifestyle.
Your foundation is made up of the foods you enjoy, the workouts you actually like, and the routines that fit your life. Once you have this in place, you can experiment with new things. Maybe you try a new diet, workout challenge, or different activity. If you love it, you can incorporate all or part of it into your foundation. If it doesn’t work out, you can always fall back to what you know works for you. That safety net is what keeps you consistent long term.
I like to think of this as my “default thought process,” and I aim to be in this headspace about eighty five percent of the time. I chose that number because it gives me structure without demanding perfection. It gives me flexibility while still keeping me accountable. And yes, part of the reason I picked eighty five is because I love eighty five percent dark chocolate and I’m a Cincinnati Bengals fan who will always think of Chad Johnson.
This approach allows me to observe my thoughts and habits without judgment. If I slip into old dieting patterns or negative thinking, I can catch myself and shift back toward my foundation. I’ve been in the fitness industry for years, but I also have my own history with dieting, body image struggles, and the belief that changing my body would make me more accepted. Those thought patterns are well-worn, but having a clear fallback keeps me from getting stuck in them.
Finding your number is personal. It’s not about tallying up every action and making sure you hit an exact percentage. It’s about having a target that gives you enough room to live your life while still moving toward your goals. For me, it’s eighty five percent. For you, it might be different. The important thing is to pick something that keeps you consistent without feeling like you have to be perfect.
If you’ve been caught in the cycle of on-again, off-again weight loss attempts, building your foundation around your preferences can help you step out of that pattern. You don’t have to start over every time things go off track. You just have to return to your base, refocus, and keep moving forward.
If you’re ready to start building your own foundation and want guidance through the process, join one of the Your Level Fitness programs and let’s create something sustainable together.