There’s something about the human mindset which makes it impossible to start afresh mid-way through the week.
Monday is generally the start of a work week, Although Sunday is technically the first day of a week, most people choose to use this day relax, unwind and get ready for the week ahead. Choosing to kick start a diet, new training program or just starting up at the local gym on a day when you usually unwind from a busy week can make it feel a bit like a punish, you’ve gone from a day of rest, relaxation and preparation into something completely new. It is a bit more mentally acceptable when it starts on a Monday.
Starting the diet or new training program on the first day of your typical work week can make the transition easier. As you return to the challenges the new week will bring, you can look at your new diet as just one more challenge you can handle this week.
Taking this approach isn’t always successful and tends to have a high failure rate, it may be time to switch things up.
How many times have you started something new on a Monday to find that by the following Monday you’re already losing your momentum, if not already off track. It is definitely a mental thing. Our body doesn’t know what day it is, the body does what our brain tells it. So it can’t be anything but mental. Sure, as you get further into the week your body will fatigue and slow down but still doesn’t know or care what day it is.
Don’t wait, start now. You don’t need to wait until a particular day to start something new, you don’t have to be overly prepared either. How about what ever day it is tomorrow just start making some healthier food choices and go for a 30 min walk. It may not be a Monday but you have just started something new. When you’re ready add an extra day of exercise in there and cut back on the night time chocolate. Before you know it you’re signing up at a new gym and using Sunday as meal prep day.
A journey of 1000 miles starts with a single step. Don’t start something dramatic on ‘Monday’, start something small now. Every day you wait is day you can’t get back.