Stop Chasing Fads: The Real Secret to Health and Fitness
Everywhere you look, someone is trying to sell you the “next best thing.” Detox teas, 30-day shred programs, keto this, carnivore that. The fitness industry is drowning in quick fixes and miracle promises.
And…. I HATE IT!
I didn’t become a coach to peddle gimmicks. I didn’t build my career on selling fear. I got into this work because I wanted to help people - real people with real lives, busy schedules, families, and stress - create sustainable health. And I’ve built my entire career on integrity: refusing to sell out just to make a quick buck.
The truth? Fads don’t work. What always works is discipline, determination, dedication, and the willingness to lean into discomfort. It’s not sexy (I know that sex sells). It’s not trending on TikTok. But it’s the foundation of lasting strength, health, and confidence.
Why Fads Fail
If a miracle program worked forever, you wouldn’t need to buy the next one. And yet, the industry counts on you coming back again and again, because if you fail, you’ll blame yourself instead of the gimmick.
Meanwhile, influencers keep pushing more extremes:
If you’re not eating “perfectly,” you’re doing it wrong.
If you use seed oils, you’re unhealthy.
If you don’t take a dozen supplements, you’re falling behind.
That kind of elitism turns health into something unattainable, and it’s flat-out harmful. For the record? I personally choose what I put into my body, and if a client makes different decisions, I would never shame them for it. And don’t get me started on beef-tallow-everything, carnivore diets, or the nonsense claiming humans don’t need fiber because “our ancestors blah blah blah.”
That’s not science. That’s marketing dressed up as dogma.
FYI…Our ancestors survived mainly on grains and had to hunt tirelessly for animal protein, so it was few and far between.
What Actually Works
Here’s the “secret” most people don’t want to hear: consistency beats EVERYTHING.
Not perfection. Not a magic plan. Not an extreme diet. Consistency.
Showing up for your workouts more often than not.
Eating in a balanced way most of the time, without obsessing over the occasional treat.
Prioritizing sleep, recovery, and stress management as much as your training.
That’s it. That’s the formula. It’s simple, but it’s not easy. Because consistency takes… You guessed it: discipline, determination, and dedication.
Discipline, Determination, Dedication
Let’s break those down.
Discipline is what gets you out of bed for a workout when motivation is nowhere to be found. Motivation is fleeting. Discipline keeps you moving. This is where a workout buddy or a trainer can be particularly helpful. It will keep you accountable.
Determination is the decision to keep going after a setback. You will miss workouts. You will have seasons where life feels chaotic. Determination says, “I will come back. Always.”
Dedication is the long game. It’s seeing health as a lifelong relationship, not a 30-day project. It’s staying committed when no one’s watching, when the results are slow, and when you’re tempted to give up. Remember, you are training for your next 10 years…
Together, these three qualities build the consistency that actually transforms your life.
Lean Into Discomfort
Here’s the part no one wants to hear: real progress requires discomfort.
Muscles don’t grow unless you challenge them.
Endurance doesn’t build unless you push past the moment you want to stop.
Confidence doesn’t develop unless you practice consistency, even when the scale or the mirror isn’t giving you instant feedback.
Discomfort isn’t a punishment; it’s a natural part of the process. When you feel resistance, when you want to quit, when you think “this is hard,” that’s the exact moment growth is happening.
Too many people stop right before the breakthrough. I want you to see discomfort as a signal: this is where I’m getting stronger.
Redefining Success
Forget what the industry tells you success looks like. It’s not about fitting into a dress size or hitting some arbitrary number on the scale.
Real success is about:
Moving better and feeling better every day.
Having the energy to be present with your family and thrive in your career.
Building strength that lets you live your life fully so that you can do the things that bring you joy.
Creating habits that support you not just for weeks, but for years.
That’s what matters. That’s what lasts.
My Philosophy
I will never tell you that you need to be perfect. I will never tell you that you’re “bad” because of what you eat. And I will never try to sell you a quick fix.
I believe in progress, not perfection. In celebrating effort, not shaming mistakes. In small, sustainable steps that add up to massive change over time.
Because here’s the truth: EVERYONE can make progress. You don’t have to subscribe to the latest trend. You don’t have to follow a “pure” diet. You don’t have to spend thousands on supplements. You simply have to start and keep going.
Choose the Long Game
Fads are temporary. But consistency? That’s forever.
Discipline. Determination. Dedication. A willingness to lean into discomfort. Those are the real foundations of health and fitness.
So stop chasing the next shiny thing. Stop believing you need to be perfect. Stop letting influencers tell you you’re broken.
You’re not broken. You’re capable. And the life you want is built one consistent step at a time.
At Marie Merritt Coaching, I don’t sell shortcuts. I coach real people to build real, sustainable health with integrity. If you’re ready to stop chasing fads and start creating lasting strength and resilience, let’s connect. marie@mariemerrittcoaching.com