Honest Conversations: Embracing Imperfections in Fitness and Wellness
Hey there, today I want to share something that doesn’t get talked about enough in the world of health and fitness. Spoiler alert: I’m not perfect.
As a trainer, people often assume I have it all together—that I eat perfectly clean 100% of the time, never skip a workout, and live some kind of balance-on-a-knife’s-edge healthy lifestyle. I’ve even had clients hesitate to share their “bad food days” or missed workouts, as if I’d judge them. Here’s the truth. I’m far, far from perfect. I might even surprise you with just how imperfect I really am.
The Pizza Incident (and Several Bags of Chips)
Here’s a fun confession to start with—I used to (and honestly probably still could) eat a whole large pizza by myself. And when I open a “family-size” bag of chips? That’s not a deterrent—that’s a challenge. After I’ve crushed an entire bag, I’ll sit there, crumbs everywhere, and jokingly ask myself, "Am I a whole family now?" (Spoiler alert again—no, it’s just me on that couch.)
And as for my self-control with junk food? If there’s something sweet or salty in the house, it has no chance of surviving the day. I could buy two or three treats intending them to last a week. By the next evening, they’re gone—my guilt and self-control packed right in the garbage with the empty wrappers.
Cookies, Donuts, and Meat? Breakfast of...Champions?
Yes, I talk about balanced nutrition with clients. Yes, I also sometimes eat things that look like the plot twist in a Netflix food doc. I’ve had mornings where breakfast was just cookies or donuts (both is better, actually). On other random days, I’ll eat an entire pound of meat for dinner—no veggies, just me and my protein-palooza.
Balance? Moderation? I know what those are… in theory. Execution? Work in progress.
Doom Scrolling and Sleep Fails
By now, you’ve probably heard sleep is crucial for health. I say it to my clients all the time. But do you know who’s guilty of scrolling TikTok or Instagram at ungodly hours, even though I know better? That would be me, your friendly neighborhood trainer. I’ll sit there, fully aware that sleep is going to make or break my recovery, mood, and overall wellness and, still… one more meme. Or five.
Mornings can sometimes be worse. There’s nothing on the calendar? Well, guess I’ll just lay in bed scrolling again—longer than I care to admit.
Overtraining and Ignoring My Own Programming
Here’s a spicy bit of irony for you. I’ll sometimes overtrain to the point where I know I’m not maximizing results. My muscles are still sore, but there I am, in the gym, pushing through because my ego says, “Go for it.” Am I following a smart, consistent program? Sometimes, yeah! But other times? I’ll cherry-pick exercises based on what I feel like doing that day, even though I know that’s not going to yield the strength or balance I advise my clients to pursue.
And yeah, occasionally, I’ll push through small aches or pains when I really should take a step back and listen to my body. I know better, but there’s that internal dialogue saying, “You should know better, so suck it up." (I see the irony too.)
Munchies and Cottage Vibes
I’ll keep this real with you. Sometimes, I smoke weed. Does it make me snack more? Probably. Does it make me the perfect trainer? Absolutely not. And don’t even get me started on weekends at the cottage. A few drinks here, some indulgent meals there... it all adds up. And I know better. But you know what? I also know it’s okay to have fun and enjoy life sometimes.
Stories From the Trenches of Imperfection
I’ve lost count of how many parties I’ve been to where nobody wanted to eat “junk” food in front of me, as if I’m going to judge them. The truth is, I’m probably eating that junk food right along with—or instead of—them. “Oh, you’re not going to have that slice of cake? Don’t mind if I do.”
Or the dates where I’ve felt like talking about my job intimidates people. We sit down, and they nervously say, “Oh, I’m not as into working out as you are.” Like they expect me to have health and fitness as my entire identity. Meanwhile, they don’t know about my pizza-destroying side quest. This perception that I’m perfect (or need to be) feels so far from the truth but is still something I encounter a lot.
Clients sometimes feel guilty about “slipping up” with their plan, like I’ll somehow be disappointed. But a big part of my job is reassuring them that nobody is perfect—not even me. Not even close.
Why It’s Okay to Be Imperfect
The point I’m trying to make with all of this is that imperfection is part of the fitness (and life) journey, not a roadblock. Here are some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from my own missteps:
Self-awareness is everything. The more I reflect on my habits and actions, the easier it is for me to recognize patterns and make changes.
Balance matters. I’ve realized that life isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about finding a balance that works for you. If I overdo it on junk food one day, it doesn’t mean I’ve failed—it’s just one moment.
Sleep really is crucial. I’m working on better routines to make sure I value rest as much as any workout.
Consistency > Perfection. Missing a workout or indulging in cake doesn’t undo all the progress you’ve made. Staying consistent overall is what gets results.
It’s okay to enjoy life. Sometimes, skipping the gym to spend quality time with people or indulging in something fun and tasty is part of wellness too.
The Takeaway
If there’s one thing I want you to walk away with, it’s this: You don’t have to be perfect to be on a fitness or wellness journey. You don’t have to eat kale chips while doing interval sprints every day. And you definitely don’t have to treat slip-ups as failures.
I’m a personal trainer who eats junk food, scrolls too much, and overtrains sometimes—but I’m also a personal trainer who learns from those moments. Every misstep helps me grow and connect better with the people I work with.
Lastly, remember this isn’t about “fixing” yourself—it’s about pursuing a healthier, happier version of yourself. And if I can do it (pizza crumbs and all), so can you.