Great Expectations Vs. Realistic Expectations

Today, it’s hard for one to set their fitness expectations appropriately. In a world where Biggest Loser contestants drop 20 pounds in a week, it’s hard to see a 1 pound loss as anything but failure, right?

I’m working this year on fitness consistency instead of grandiose results. Still, I look at the before/after pictures in my ChaLean Extreme materials and wonder, is all THAT really possible in 90 days? Maybe, maybe not.

A lot of fitness depends on the intensity of your workouts, your food choices, the amount of food you eat, the amount of alcohol you consume (or preferably don’t consume), and your genetics.

Right now, I’m working to keep my expectations realistic. I know that I’m not going to lose 50 pounds and get ripped in 90 days.

I’m getting up at 4:30 a.m. to exercise – 5 days a week.

I’m eating unprocessed foods without any sugar.

I’m increasing my vegetable consumption and not overdoing my starch consumption.

I’m NOT drinking any wine.

I haven’t touched an artificial sweetener in years.

I drink water like a camel heading into the desert.

Does all that mean I’m going to look like this in 90 days?

Oh, hahahahahahahaha, no. I probably won’t even look like this in 900 days.

Still, I know that if I continue to workout, eat right, drink my water, and take care of myself, I will look and feel a little bit better each day. Over time, lots of consistent choices will add up.

My realistic expectations for this 90 day ChaLean Extreme challenge are as follows:

Complete every single workout – come hell or high water (or menstrual cramps or sleepless nights from sick kids).

Try to lift a little heavier/work with higher intensity each week

Do my best on exercises that I have to modify due to knees and/or back pain

Stay off sugar/wine/mindless snacking

That’s it. Honestly, that’s a lot. Still, for me, it is a set of realistic expectations. It may not get me ripped but it will get me in the game.

What are your expectations? Are they realistic?