Are you Committed To Achieving Your Fitness Goals? Or Just Interested? Let’s explain the difference!
The Difference Between Interest and Commitment: How to Take Action and Achieve Your Fitness Goals
There’s a difference between interest and commitment. When you’re interested in something, you do it only when it’s convenient for you. When you’re truly committed to achieving a result, no excuses come into play, only results.
When it comes to achieving your health and fitness goals — the distinction between being “interested” and being “committed” is often the difference between success and failure. Too many people are just “interested” in losing weight, getting fit, or improving their health, but the reality is that interest alone doesn’t produce results. Commitment is what gets us to where we want to be.
The idea of commitment can be intimidating. It becomes a firm decision to take ownership of your actions moving forward towards your goals.. Commitment means showing up consistently, regardless of setbacks, failures, or temporary discomfort. It means doing whatever it takes to push through obstacles and stay loyal to your goal—no matter how tough it gets. This is where over 87% of people fall short… When it starts to get tough!
This can feel like it’s way out of our comfort zone. After all, most of us are comfortable with staying in our comfort zone. We like to do what’s easy and avoid what’s difficult. But, convenience and excuses do NOT lead to results. Real results come from staying committed, the commitment that means no excuses, just consistent action, day after day.
1. Making the Decision: Interest vs. Commitment
When you’re interested in getting fit, you may show up to the gym sporadically or start a diet when it’s convenient. But when you’re truly committed, you’ve made a decision. You’ve chosen to take action regardless of how you feel.
Example:
Instead of planning to work out when you “feel motivated,” you schedule exercise as a non-negotiable part of your day. You show up whether you’re “in the mood” or not because your goal is more important than your temporary feelings. This is commitment.
Action Step 1:
What can you do today to become committed to your fitness goal? Schedule your training for the week. Put it in your calendar as a non-negotiable event, just like any other important meeting. Also, plan your meals or meal prep to make eating healthy easier. Even one step today towards committing to your fitness goals will help you get started.
2. Taking Ownership: The Importance of Accountability
One of the hardest things about commitment is accepting responsibility for your actions. Many people avoid this because failure is always a possibility. But the truth is, failure is part of the process.
Commitment means taking ownership of both your successes and your setbacks.
Example:
If you miss a workout or have an off day with your nutrition, instead of making excuses or giving up entirely, you acknowledge it, learn from it, and get back on track. A committed person doesn’t let one slip-up derail their entire progress. They stay focused on the bigger picture and keep moving forward.
Action Step 2:
Today, take ownership of your actions. Reflect on your past week and identify one area where you can improve. Maybe you didn’t turn up to all of your workouts or made unhealthy food choices. Take responsibility for it. Tomorrow is a new day, and you can start fresh. Set a small, achievable goal for tomorrow, like preparing a healthy breakfast or taking a 20-minute walk. Build on these new habits
3. Commitment is About Consistency, Not Perfection
Many people fall into the trap of thinking that commitment means doing things perfectly. However, the all-or-nothing mindset is often the biggest roadblock to success. It leads to “analysis paralysis”—overthinking every decision until you feel overwhelmed and stop making progress altogether.
Example:
Rather than aiming for perfection with every meal or workout, focus on “progress”. A committed person doesn’t expect to be perfect every day, but they strive for consistent effort. If you miss a workout or indulge in an unhealthy meal, you don’t give up. You keep showing up. You understand that small, consistent actions over time will lead to big results, even if they’re not perfect.
Action Step 3:
Today, make the choice to prioritise progress over perfection. If you miss a workout or eat an unhealthy meal, don’t beat yourself up. Commit to your next meal or workout and get back on track. Set a realistic goal for today, like adding 10 minutes of extra movement or drinking an extra glass of water. Small steps lead to big changes.
4. Understanding the Role of Motivation in Commitment
Motivation is often thought as the key to success, but motivation alone is unreliable. Motivation comes and goes, and it’s easy to use it as an excuse for why we didn’t take action. The truth is, commitment doesn’t depend on motivation.
Example:
A committed person knows that they won’t always feel excited to work out. There a lot of days where they do not feel like working out at all. But they show up anyway because they’ve made a decision to do so. They realise that motivation will follow consistent action. So, they focus on the process, not the initial feeling of excitement or energy.
Action Step 4:
Commit to doing something today, even if it’s small, despite not feeling motivated. Do a quick 10-minute workout, or take a brisk walk if that’s all you can do for today. Motivation will follow the action, but action comes first. Commit to consistency rather than waiting for the “perfect timing” of motivation to strike. You will be waiting a long time if you solely rely on that!
5. From “I’ll Do It When It’s Convenient” to “I’ll Do It No Matter What”
Being interested in you health & fitness means doing it when it’s convenient—like when you have free time or when you feel energised. Commitment, however, means showing up even when it’s not always convenient—when you’re tired, when life gets in the way, or when you feel like giving up.
A quick example might be:
Your workout might not happen during your preferred time. Maybe your schedule is full, and you’re exhausted, but a committed individual finds a way to fit it in. It could be a shorter, more intense session or a home workout instead of the gym—whatever it takes to stay consistent.
Action Step 5:
Take a look at your schedule for today and find 10-40 minutes you can dedicate to exercise—no excuses. Even if it’s just a quick 10 minute home workout, commit to moving your body today. If you’re too tired for a full workout, start with stretching or light activity to get yourself in the habit of showing up, or just going for a 20 minute walk, No Excuses!.
6. Commitment Means Adjusting Your Lifestyle, Not Just Your Routine
True commitment to your health means adopting a mindset where healthy living is non negotiable in your life. It’s not just about working out or going on a diet; it’s about making choices every day that align with your long-term goals so it becomes a part of your life.
Rather than viewing your health & fitness as a “phase,” committed individuals integrate healthy habits into their lifestyle. They make mindful food choices, prioritise sleep, reduce stress, and avoid falling into unhealthy patterns. Fitness is a lifestyle, not a temporary fix.
Action Step 6:
Take one step today toward adjusting your lifestyle. Plan your meals for the week, or choose a healthier snack option for today. Prioritise sleep by setting a bedtime that ensures you get enough rest. Choose one small action today that will set you on the path to long-term healthy habits.
7. Commit to the Process, Not Just the Outcome
The temptation to focus solely on the end goal—whether it’s weight loss, building muscle, or getting leaner—can prevent us from staying committed. The true power of commitment is found in embracing the process, not just the end result.
A committed individual focuses on each workout, each meal, and each moment of progress. They celebrate the small wins—like completing a tough workout, hitting a new personal record, or making better choices at the grocery store—because they know that these actions compound over time and will lead to the desired results.
Action Step 7:
Today, focus on one small win that gets you closer to your fitness goal. Celebrate it. Maybe you completed a challenging workout, resisted a tempting snack, or simply made time for exercise. Document your progress and remind yourself that the journey is just as important as the destination. Acknowledge your wins and watch your motivation go up along the way.
8. Using “Obsession” as Fuel for Momentum
Commitment often goes hand-in-hand with a kind of healthy obsession. This isn’t a negative obsession, but rather a focused drive that propels you forward even when the going gets tough. This type of obsession is powerful because it aligns your actions with your values and goals.
As an example, when you’re truly committed, you think about your goals constantly—not in an unhealthy way, but in a productive, empowering way. Your workouts, your nutrition, and your overall health become top priorities because you’ve made them a key part of your identity. You live and breathe your goals, and this obsession propels you forward, helping you overcome any obstacle in your way.
Action Step 8:
Choose one area of your fitness routine today to become slightly more obsessed with. Maybe it’s meal prepping for the week, focusing on your water intake, or aiming for an extra rep or two in your workout. Commit to giving this one aspect your full focus today, and see how it shifts your results.
Conclusion: Moving Beyond Interest to Committed
There is a vast difference between being “interested” in getting fit and being fully committed to achieving your goals. Commitment means making choices that align with your goals every day, even when it’s hard, uncomfortable, or inconvenient.
It’s about consistency, resilience, and taking responsibility for your actions.
Commitment is not about being perfect; it’s about staying focused on the process, showing up when it’s tough, and trusting that progress will follow. It’s the mental shift that allows you to act despite obstacles, and it’s this dedication that will eventually lead you to the results you desire.
The choice is yours, and with that commitment, results will follow.