Why Most People Fail to Get Fit – Part 2: They Overcomplicate It

How you getting on, Troops?

In Part 1, we talked about how people fail when they treat fitness like a 4-week plan instead of a lifestyle.

Now let’s talk about another big one - overcomplicating it.

Too Many Rules, Not Enough Action

Everywhere you look, someone’s telling you what you must do to get fit.

Track every gram.

Fast till noon.

Cut carbs.

Do 10,000 steps.

Drink this shake.

Buy that supplement.

No wonder people get stuck. They spend more time trying to build the perfect plan than actually following one.

But getting fit doesn’t need to be complicated - it just needs to be consistent. Most people chase perfection instead of doing the basics.

The Basics Always Win

When you strip everything back, fitness comes down to three pillars that never fail: protein, lifting, and movement. They sound simple - and that’s the point. Simple works when you actually do it.

1. Prioritise Protein

Most people under-eat protein without realising it. Protein isn’t just for building muscle - it’s the nutrient that supports everything else: recovery, fullness, energy, and even mental focus.

If you’re trying to get leaner, aim for a good protein source in every meal - chicken, eggs, yoghurt, lean beef, fish, or a shake if needed. You don’t have to be perfect - just consistent.

When you start prioritising protein, you’ll notice hunger fades, energy improves, and training feels easier.

2. Lift Weights

Strength training is the backbone of real, long-term progress. It improves posture, bone health, metabolism, and confidence - but more importantly, it teaches you to keep showing up.

Lifting is discipline in action. It’s you versus yesterday’s version of you. The reward isn’t just strength; it’s the mindset that comes with earning it.

And no, lifting won’t make you bulky - it’ll make you strong, mobile, and capable.

3. Move When You Can

Movement doesn’t have to mean hours of cardio or perfect step targets. It’s about staying active daily - walking the dog, taking the stairs, parking further away, or getting out for a quick walk to clear your head.

If you lift three times a week and move most days, you’re doing more than enough. Movement keeps your body ticking, burns calories without stress, and gives your mind space to breathe.

These three pillars might sound simple, but done consistently, they’ll change everything.

The best part? They actually fit into real life.

Why Simplicity Works

When you simplify things, it takes the pressure off. You stop worrying about being perfect and start focusing on being consistent.

It’s the difference between being “on a plan” and actually living a healthy lifestyle. No endless tracking. No all-or-nothing rules. Just small, repeatable actions that build momentum over time.

Bonus Tip: My take on Alcohol

Here’s something that doesn’t get talked about enough - alcohol.

I used to drink every weekend. At one point, it wasn’t even heavy - just a few beers or ciders at the weekend. But it didn’t matter. My progress would stall.

I still trained - I never skipped sessions - but I wasn’t pushing myself as hard as I could.

I had less energy, slower recovery, and my drive to go that extra bit further just wasn’t there.

It wasn’t until I cut out drink altogether and combined that with consistent training, solid nutrition, and daily movement that things really started to shift. My energy levels went through the roof, my focus improved, and my progress finally started moving forward again.

You don’t have to give up alcohol forever, but you need to be honest about what it’s costing you. A few weeks off can completely change how you feel, perform, and recover.

Final Thoughts

If you’re feeling stuck, it’s probably not because you’re not doing enough - it’s because you’re trying to do too much at once.

Strip it back.

Focus on what matters.

Protein. Lifting. Movement.

And if you want to take things to the next level, take a break from alcohol and see how much more progress you can make when your body’s firing on all cylinders.

Keep it simple.

Stay consistent.

Trust the process. Want to take your Core Training to the next Level? Check out my 12 Week Core Progression Programme HERE

Speak soon,

Ross