The Lie We Tell Ourselves: “I’ll Start When It’s Perfect.”

Let’s be real. If we waited until everything was perfect, we’d never start!

No workout clothes fit right, no gym feels safe enough, no plan feels complete enough.

And yet, perfection keeps whispering:

“Once you have the perfect schedule, the perfect meal prep, the perfect energy… then you can begin.”

Yeah, that voice? She’s lying through her teeth.

Because the truth is, you can’t think your way into confidence. You have to move your way into it. 

That’s what I discovered in Week 1 of my 16-Week Transformation Journey.

Facing Fear in a New Gym

Fifteen minutes before my first day at the new Powerhouse gym, I was terrified. Me, the Curvy Goddess, personal trainer for over 26 years, scared like a first-timer.

Why?

Because it was new. Unknown. 

And I had no idea what to expect.

I almost didn’t go. I started negotiating with myself:

“Maybe I’ll go later. Maybe after lunch. Maybe after I finish reorganizing my spice cabinet.”

That inner voice is slick. She doesn’t say “quit.” She says “delay.”

But I caught myself mid-lie and said out loud,

“Nope. You’re going now, Diane.”

And I did.

Guess what?

The gym was incredible.

Shiny new equipment. A turf area big enough for Farmer’s Walks. Even a sauna that whispered, “Recovery, baby.”

It smelled like eucalyptus and possibility.

And I realized, the greatness was waiting for me, but I almost missed it because fear sounded reasonable.

When “Rewarding Yourself” Becomes a Trap

Now, let’s talk about my mid-week buffet meltdown.

I’d been training clients at my Park Avenue studio and feeling exhausted. So, after one long day, I walked right into this buffet spot I “just happened” to pass by. Rows of BBQ ribs, mac and cheese, seafood salad. It was like comfort food heaven with fluorescent lighting.

I told myself, “You deserve this. You’ve been good all week.”

Sound familiar? The “I deserve it” moment is often code for “I’m overwhelmed and need relief.”

After that night, I noticed a pattern: I was using food to relax. So, I changed my route home. Literally.

Instead of passing the buffet, I took a different street, went to the grocery store, bought a roasted chicken, and stocked up on healthy food for meal prep.

When I opened my fridge later and saw that chicken waiting, it felt like self-respect in Tupperware form.

That’s what imperfect action looks like. It’s messy, inconvenient, and powerful.

Sleep: The Real Pre-Workout

Here’s something I never thought I’d say: Five hours of sleep makes me a nightmare human being.

I used to brag about running on fumes, like exhaustion was proof of dedication.

But this week I learned that being tired doesn’t make you tough. It just makes you cranky, snacky, and unstable.

When I got 7–8 hours of sleep, my energy soared. My cravings dropped. My mood was unstoppable.

When I got 5 hours? Hello, buffet temptation.

It’s not about willpower. It’s about hormones.

When you don’t sleep enough, your hunger hormones (ghrelin and leptin) lose their minds. Ghrelin screams “EAT,” and leptin’s too tired to tell you you’re full.

No wonder we raid the fridge when we’re exhausted.

So, this week, I treated sleep like a sacred appointment. Because a rested woman is a consistent woman.

Community Is the Secret Weapon

One of my favorite parts of this journey is the women doing it with me. They’re funny, brilliant, and real.

Crystal shared her idea for a “controlled splurge meal” once a week, smart, satisfying, and guilt-free.

Jodi introduced me to the Yazio app (it has a blue yeti mascot, which somehow makes tracking cute and fun).

These women aren’t just my community, they’re my mirrors.

Every time one of them shows up, it reminds me why I started.

We deserve to see ourselves thriving.

We deserve to feel strong, confident, and curvy on purpose.

The Myth of Motivation

Here’s what I’ve learned after twenty-six years in the fitness world.

"Motivation is a liar!"

It doesn’t show up before action. It shows up after.

Waiting to “feel ready” is how we stay stuck.

You don’t need motivation to start; you need motion to find it.

Once you start moving, eating better, or showing up for yourself, the energy follows.

That’s not magic. . . 

That’s momentum.

"Perfection is sterile. Progress is sexy."

Your Turn: Imperfect Action Challenge

Here’s your challenge this week, Goddess: Pick one area of your life: nutrition, movement, or mindset and take one imperfect action today.

• Walk for 10 minutes even if your hair isn’t done.
• Prep one meal even if it’s not “perfectly healthy.”
• Write one promise to yourself and keep it.

Then come back here and drop a comment below:

👉 What was your imperfect action today?

I’ll be coaching and cheering you on in the comments, because this journey isn’t about doing it flawlessly. It’s about doing it anyway.