You’ve heard the adages more than once before and they are absolutely true: nutrition is 80 per cent of your weight loss/gain journey; you can’t out-train a bad diet …

Let’s be realistic though. Weight loss or gain is not a linear journey nor is it immediately guaranteed. At the end of the day, if you are at a steady and healthy caloric deficit you will lose weight. On the contrary, maintaining a caloric surplus will assist in weight gain.

In all reality, it boils down to consistency. Beginning each day with: a reminder of your goals, meals planned, determination high and dedication untouchable. Success comes when you not only acknowledge how bad you want to reach your goals but how hard you’re willing to work for them.

It’s the last week in January, a month that many of us write resolutions and make major plans for the year ahead. How do you feel now? Have you been committed, dedicated, and strong throughout the first three weeks of 2021? What can you do now to adjust? These are questions that we must constantly ask ourselves if we are to truly remain accountable to ourselves. Point. Blank. Period.

On a personal note, I’ve been in a slump because I can’t train right now and am on a roller coaster with my eating. Is this fine? No, not at all if I am to continue smashing my goals. The positive take back is in acknowledging where I am in my journey and making the necessary adjustments; acknowledging that I am human, that life throws curve balls and everything cannot be controlled.

Woosah! Right? Sometimes it gets like that and the quicker we realise this, the easier it will be to make the necessary adjustments and step forward, headstrong, ready to adjust our plans and reach our goals.

So whilst our nutrition is 80 per cent of our health journey, being in a proper mental state is so much a part of our journey as well. I stress again, mental strength (fitness) is so important when it comes to maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

So sit back, assess how you feel – how mentally strong you are, what your goals are – and make any necessary adjustments. The year has only just begun and your journey continues. I trust that recognising that you’re human and adjusting accordingly based on life's curveballs, still propels your forward in 2021.

Continue to be honest with your efforts and remain unapologetic about how you choose to live your fitness and wellness journey. Remember to always remain accountable to yourself, your goals, your decisions and, most of all, stay true to your journey. Happy Wednesday fitfam!

Dre Hinds is a retired track and field athlete who is now a personal trainer, aerobic and yoga instructor and fitness “addict”. Contact her on: absbydre@gmail.com, 599-0412 or @Absbydre on Facebook and Instagram