5 Ways to Stop Self-Sabotaging Your Fitness Goals
Learn how to stop self-sabotaging your fitness goals with 5 reparenting pillars that build self-trust, consistency, and lasting change for women on this episode of Get Sculpted.
If you've ever been harder on yourself than you would ever be on your own child, if you've negotiated yourself out of a workout or skipped meals all day only to binge at night and then beat yourself up about it, this episode is going to hit different. Because here's the uncomfortable truth: you would never let your child quit when things get hard, talk down to themselves, or skip the basics that help them grow. So why are you letting yourself do exactly that?
In this episode of Get Sculpted, Coach Marilynn is getting real about how to stop self sabotaging fitness by learning to reparent yourself on your health journey. We're talking about showing up for yourself with the same compassion, patience, and standards that you model for your kids, because your children are learning how to treat themselves by watching how you treat yourself. And if you're constantly negotiating with your standards, punishing yourself with movement, or breaking promises to yourself, it's time for a reality check.
This episode breaks down fitness consistency for women through the lens of reparenting, giving you five powerful pillars to rebuild self trust through fitness and finally stop the cycle of self-sabotage. From setting fitness boundaries that actually stick to practicing self compassion on your fitness journey without letting yourself off the hook, Marilynn shares exactly how to show up for yourself the same way you show up for everyone else in your life.
Here's what we cover:
Why the same principles that help a child grow are the exact ones you need as an adult when it comes to health and fitness
How to stop negotiating with your standards and why having structure actually calms your nervous system
Three practical strategies to stop redeciding and start following through on your fitness goals
Why skipping meals and restricting food isn't discipline, it's neglect
How to stop the punishment cycle and get back to basics when you eat something you think you "shouldn't"
Why nothing breaks self trust faster than making promises you can't maintain
What you would tell your child who wanted to quit and why you need to apply that same standard to yourself
How to stop self-bullying when you slip up and the three questions to ask yourself instead
How to reconnect movement to joy instead of punishment
Why you're not just reparenting yourself, you're raising future generations to understand what health and confidence look like
How to pick one of the five pillars to practice this week and what to do when your brain tries to pull you back into the all-or-nothing cycle
This episode is for the mom who's been showing up for everyone else but herself. You would never let your child give up when something gets hard. So it's time to stop letting yourself give up too. Start showing up like the woman you want your child to grow up to be.
“Every time you make a promise to yourself to follow through, you're building self trust in yourself. Nothing breaks self trust faster than making promises that you can't maintain, that you continue breaking.” -Coach Marilynn
Ready to stop self-sabotaging and start building the kind of consistency that actually lasts? We've helped so many women at Get Sculpted rebuild trust with themselves in a way that sticks. Reach out through our contact form in the show notes, DM us on Instagram @getsculpted.ca, or hit that thumbs down button to give us feedback. We're always here, ready to chat and support you in showing up for yourself.
Connect with Get Sculpted
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More about the Get Sculpted Podcast
Welcome to Get Sculpted, the podcast for women who want to lose fat, build muscle, and reset their metabolism with science-based strategies and actionable advice.
We go beyond quick fixes and fad diets to give you sustainable fat loss strategies, strength training tips for women, and the mindset shifts that help you achieve lasting results. Think less guessing, more confidence, and habits that actually fit your lifestyle.
No matter if you’re just starting out or ready to level up your training, this podcast gives women the tools to lose fat, build muscle, and feel stronger in their bodies.
We’re your hosts, Jordanna, Marilynn, and Tijana, fitness pros with over 20 years of combined experience and 1,000+ client transformations, including a focus on helping women optimize their metabolism and build strength. You’ll get strategies designed for real bodies and real lives.
We’ll cover questions like:
Can you lose fat and build muscle at the same time?
What is the best way for women to lose fat without losing muscle?
How do I start strength training as a beginner woman?
Why am I not losing weight even though I’m working out and eating healthy?
How can I stop yo-yo dieting for good?
Is cardio necessary for fat loss?
If you’ve been searching for sustainable fat loss, women’s nutrition, and strength training that actually works, you’re in the right place. Join us every week to sculpt a stronger body and a more empowered 2.0 life.
Connect with us on Instagram at @getsculted.ca
The unedited podcast transcript for this episode of the Get Sculpted podcast follows:
5 Pillars of Reparenting Yourself for Lasting Fitness Success
Marilynn [00:00:48]: Today, we’re going deep on the concept of “reparenting” yourself in your fitness journey so you can stop self-sabotaging. What does reparenting mean? It’s showing up for yourself with the same compassion, patience, and standards you model for your children. As a former teacher turned coach, I’ve seen the same principles that help kids thrive apply perfectly to adults—especially when it comes to health, fitness, and self-care.Marilynn [00:01:48]: Whether in the classroom or coaching women, here’s the repeating pattern: we teach kids discipline and persistence, but rarely hold ourselves to the same standards. And remember, our kids learn self-care by watching how we treat ourselves. If you recognize yourself in this, you’re not failing—you’re human. If you want help learning how to show up for yourself as you do for others, reach out—we’re always here. Now, let’s break down the five pillars that will help you reparent yourself and end self-sabotage.
Pillar #1: Structure & Boundaries—Stop Negotiating With Your Standards
Marilynn [00:02:47]: First up is structure and boundaries. Just like you make sure your kids brush their teeth or go to school, adults need rules and routines too. Growth doesn’t come from what’s easy—it comes from consistent action. Self-sabotage sneaks in when we start negotiating our standards. Reparenting here means building simple, supportive routines, and holding yourself to them—even when motivation dips.Practical takeaways:
Decide things weekly, not daily (plan meals/workouts in advance)
Pick your basics and make them non-negotiable (protein, steps, water)
Remove the drama: it’s not “Should I?” but “When will I?”
Pillar #2: Nourishment—Feed Yourself Like Someone You Love
Marilynn [00:04:44]: Second is nourishment. You’d never let your child skip breakfast or shame them for eating. Why do it to yourself? Skipping meals and undereating leads to nighttime binges—and it’s neglect, not discipline. Your body is your partner. Feed it well.Practical takeaways:
Eat a real breakfast and front-load protein
Stop saving food for later (undereating during the day leads to overeating at night)
Practice “no drama nutrition”—no shaming for food decisions, just course correct and continue
Pillar #3: Follow Through & Accountability—Build Self-Trust With Promises
Marilynn [00:06:28]: Third is follow through and accountability. When your child makes a commitment, you encourage them to follow through. But for your own goals, it’s easy to let busy days or tiredness become excuses. Every promise you keep to yourself builds self-trust. Set standards you can maintain and stack small wins.Practical takeaways:
Pick one habit for the week (like step goals or scheduled workouts)
When tempted to skip, respond to yourself like you would a child: “We don’t give up. We follow through.”
Pillar #4: Resilience & Grace—Stop the Self-Bullying Spiral
Marilynn [00:07:58]: Fourth is resilience and grace. If your child failed a test, you’d help them learn—not berate them. Yet, we often attack ourselves after slip-ups. Instead, forgive yourself, assess what happened, and ask yourself, “What’s my next best step?” Mistakes are feedback, not a reflection of your worth.Practical takeaways:
Review the facts: what led to the slip-up?
Focus on your next small step, rather than spiraling in shame
Pillar #5: Movement as Self-Love—Reclaim Joy in Moving Your Body
Marilynn [00:09:29]: And finally, movement. Kids move for energy, mood, and fun—not for punishment. As adults, movement should be about self-love, not calorie burning or “fixing” your body. Find ways to move that genuinely bring you joy—dance, skate, stretch, play.Practical takeaways:
Choose movement for enjoyment, not punishment
Try a walk with music, winter sports, or dancing with your kids