Sometimes Progress Is Quiet

Progress doesn’t always look like progress.

It’s easy to trust the process when the results are obvious. When the scale drops, or when our clothes fit better, or when we see something different in the mirror...

But what about the days, weeks, or even months when we’re doing everything right… and it feels like nothing’s changing?

That’s where it becomes very easy to start spiraling. We question the plan. We question ourselves. Or even worse, we start thinking, “Why bother?”

But real progress might not show up looking or feeling how we expect it to.

So if we only measure our success by what we see physically, we’ll miss so much of the progress we’re actually making.

So if you have been putting in the effort for a while, and are feeling frustrated by your perceived lack of progress, ask yourself:

→ Has my mindset improved? Maybe we’re no longer spiraling after a bad meal. Maybe we’re starting to approach workouts with curiosity instead of dread.

→ Have my habits improved? Maybe we’re not struggling with as much decision fatigue, because our default is already set. Maybe we show up, not because we have to, but because that’s just who we are now.

→ Has my recovery improved? Maybe our soreness doesn’t last as long. Maybe we’re sleeping deeper. Maybe our energy isn’t crashing midday.

→ Has my self talk improved? Maybe we catch ourselves speaking with a little more patience. A little more self love and acceptance. A little more belief.

Sometimes, progress is quiet.

And the quiet kind of progress isn't flashy. And unfortunately, it won’t earn you compliments or get captured in a photo. But it’s the kind of progress that sticks, and becomes the building blocks for all of the physical results coming your way.

So if things feel slow right now, you’re not doing it wrong. You’re just in the middle.

So keep showing up. Keep paying attention. And don’t underestimate the importance of what you’re building, because you’re doing more than you think.

ACTION ITEM

This week, pay attention to the kind of progress that doesn’t show up in the mirror. Ask yourself:

• What’s one habit that feels easier now than it used to?

• What’s one area where I’ve become more consistent?

• How has my mindset shifted around food, fitness, or recovery?

• Has there been a time recently when I responded differently to a challenging situation than I would’ve in the past?

Then, write down your answers. Because once we see those wins on paper, we start to trust them.