Time to Cut the Shite: The 10 Most Common Challenges To Making Gains

Ello

If you've been putting in the work but still feel like you’re not getting anywhere, I get it. The road to fitness isn’t easy, and sometimes it feels like you’re up against more obstacles than progress

Look, if it was easy, you’d see Chris Hemsworth (specifically Thor edition) and Beyoncé replicas like 20 x a day

The good news? You're not alone, and these challenges can be tackled

Over the years, I’ve seen countless people face the same hurdles

There’s literally no problem that hasn’t been experienced by someone else before

So let’s break down 10 most common reasons you’re not making serious gains (and how to overcome them)

1. Time Constraints

Time. There’s never enough of it, right? Between work, family, and trying to squeeze in gym sessions, meal prepping, commuting to the gym… it’s easy to feel like you’re drowning

Here’s the reality: the more you prep, the more time you save. A solid training plan can streamline your workouts, so you’re in and out, making every minute count

2. The All-or-Nothing Mentality

How many times have you let one bad weekend derail your whole week? Or skipped the gym because of the slightest injury or niggle?

This mindset is killing your progress. Perfection isn’t the goal, consistency is. Hitting 80% of your goals every day beats going hard one day and doing nothing the next

3. Motivation Issues

Let’s be honest, we’ve gotten soft. Too many people mistake “hard” for “wrong.” Just because a workout pushes you doesn’t mean it’s not for you

Growth happens when you push through the tough stuff. If you’re struggling to find that fire, it’s time to dig deep and remember why you started

4. Messed-Up Eating Relationships

Structured eating shouldn’t feel like a prison sentence. But for a lot of people, especially those with a history of disordered eating, it can bring up some bad memories

Healthy eating should be about enjoyment, not restriction. It’s about filling your plate with food that fuels you, tastes good, and makes you FEEL good. Get this right, and nutrition becomes a tool, not a trap

5. Information Overload

Instagram “experts,” “gymfluencers”, Google, the BBC, everywhere you look there’s health/fitness-related information being vomited in your direction (as there should be, it applies to all of us and we all need it)

But unfortunately because there’s so many ways to achieve success with exercise and nutrition, everyone’s got an anecdote and they’re all right. But that makes for a minefield if you’re not clued up

Here’s the truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all in fitness. The right routine is the one that fits your life, your body, and your goals

6. Injuries and Niggles

Injuries feel like the universe telling you to quit, right? It’s like, “Why bother if I’m just gonna get hurt?”

But each injury is a lesson. Learn from it, adapt your training, and come back smarter and stronger. That’s how you build a bulletproof body

7. Mobility Issues

Mobility problems can make you feel like your body’s working against you. Whether it’s old injuries, shite posture, or just the wear and tear of life, these issues can hold you back

But mobility is something you can work on. Fix those imbalances, improve your movement, and suddenly everything will start to click

8. Hating the Gym

Let’s face it, the gym isn’t for everyone. It’s loud, sweaty, and full of people who love hearing themselves grunt louder than a bear in heat. If you’re dreading it, no wonder consistency is hard

But you don’t have to love the gym to get results. Find what works for you, whether it’s a different time of day, a new routine, or even a different environment. The key is finding something that doesn’t make you hate life

9. Unrealistic Expectations

Gym five times a week, eating clean every meal, drinking a gallon of water, sleeping 8 hours. That’s what everyone says you should aim for, right? But let’s be real, who actually lives like that?

I can tell you now, those influencers you follow do not eat and train that way 24/7

You don’t need to go full throttle all the time. Half effort over the long haul beats going hard for a week and then burning out. Do what you can, and you’ll still see results

10. Extrinsic Motivation

If you’re only motivated by external stuff, like money, or someone else pushing you, you’re setting yourself up to fail. It works for a while, but eventually, the hype dies down

You need to find your own reason to keep going. When it’s personal, it sticks. That’s what will keep you going when the novelty wears off

I’m on your side

These challenges are more common than you might think. The first step in overcoming them? By recognising that they’re holding you back, you’re already halfway there

In the next email, I’ll share with you some strategies to tackle these challenges. Whether it’s altering your mindset, finding the right routine, or getting the support you need, we’ll figure it out together

By spotting these challenges, you’ve already taken the first step toward smashing through them

You’re closer to reaching your fitness goals than you might think

Cheers,

Sheep 🐏

P.S. Every fitness journey has its struggles. The key is knowing how to tackle them, and I’m here to help you do just that. If any of this sounds like you, let’s work together to smash through these roadblocks. Click here to learn more about my coaching program