We like to think were rational, but were not.

Your ability to make decisions is affected by a slew of factors, including your emotional state.

Heres how to use the best of those feelings to make better decisions and achieve your fitness goals.

Like many others, Ive found my fitness motivation unpredictable at best.

And I know Im not alone.

Through anecdotal observations with my clients, Ive found that this is quite common.

Think about someone who makes the typical New Years Resolution.

When March rolls around and theyve failedprobably due to apoor effort-to-results ratiothey rationalize their failings.

This happens to all of us, all the time.

When it comes to fitness decisions, we assume ourselves to be rational regardless of our emotional state.

This, paradoxically, means that were not being rational at all.

Sometimes they are as spontaneous and appear with no rhyme or reason.

and make decisions that optimize both your fitness progress and your emotional and mental satisfaction.

Ideally, we would stay in this state permanently…but we all know that doesnt happen.

So, you might as well maximize your productivity while youre in this state.

Ride it out while you’ve got the option to.

It can be easy to undo progress in the spendthrift state.

When (or if!)

As a result, youll probably spend some timeprogram hoppingor making it up as you go along.

The Listless State

Energy:LowMotivation:LowThe desire to train and follow your diet is low.

If its a longer bout, you may feel frustrated with your progress and want to quit altogether.

The justification that occurs isnt one of rationalizing your progress, but rationalizing failure.

Often this is because of frictions that may be unrelated to fitness.

They involve feelings, which are difficult to change instantaneously.

you’re able to, however controlwhat you do with them.

Its not easy admitting that youre not thinking rationally, but it does get easier with practice.

Channel how you would think in the objective state.This requires a bit of effort.

Pretend youre a coach giving yourself advice, then following it.

If its a dilemma you frequently find yourself in (e.g.

Going against your default way of thinking isnt easy, but it gets easier.

Remember, humans arent built to be rational.

Funny creatures, yes, but objective, no.

Understand this whilst forgiving yourself for being human, and youll be okay.

Illustration by Tara Jacoby.