Let me tell you something you probably don’t want to hear.

Getting fit—truly fit—has nothing to do with the perfect time to start. It has nothing to do with Mercury being in retrograde, your schedule clearing up, your kids finally sleeping through the night, or waiting until “after the holidays.” And don’t even get me started on New Year’s resolutions.

You know when the perfect time to start was? Ten years ago. You know when the next best time is? Right now.

But you’re thinking, “Coach Joe, I’m just not ready. My job is crazy. The kids have soccer. I’ve got that weird pain behind my knee. I don’t even own workout clothes that match.”

Imperfect action, my friend. That’s the secret sauce. The clients who crush their goals—the ones who lose fat, gain muscle, get strong, and feel younger—aren’t magical unicorns with personal chefs and infrared saunas in their basements. They’re regular folks who just took the next step.

Not the perfect step. Just the next one.

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Why Timing Is a Trap

Waiting for the “right time” is like waiting for all the traffic lights in your town to turn green at the same time before you leave your driveway. It's not going to happen.

There’s always something. A birthday party, a work deadline, a vacation, a flu bug, or maybe you just had a bad hair day and didn’t want to show up at the gym looking like you got electrocuted by your blow dryer.

Let me break it down in terms we can all understand: If you dropped your iPhone on the floor, you wouldn’t say, “Well, it’s already scratched, might as well smash it with a hammer.” So why do we do that with our health?

One missed workout becomes a week off. One slice of pizza turns into “I guess I’ll just start over Monday.”

Forget Monday. Monday is a liar.

Progress Loves Messy Consistency

The truth is, progress doesn’t need perfection. It needs consistency.

You can eat a grilled chicken salad with a side of steamed veggies six days a week and still have a slice of cake at your nephew’s birthday party. That’s not failure. That’s life.

Imperfect action says:

• “I didn’t have time for a full workout, so I did 15 minutes of pushups and squats in my kitchen.”
• “I forgot my lunch, so I grabbed the healthiest thing I could find instead of inhaling a box of donuts.”
• “I didn’t feel like running today, but I went for a walk.”

These tiny, seemingly unimpressive actions? They add up. They snowball. And before you know it, you’re stronger, leaner, more energized—and no one recognizes you at your high school reunion.

“Is that Frankie from Algebra?”

“No, that’s Frankie 2.0. He looks like a pro athlete now. And his cholesterol is perfect.”

The 5-Step Imperfect Action Plan

You want actionable tips? Here’s your five-step imperfect action plan. It’s simple, not easy—but it works.

1. Set a Micro Goal

Don’t aim to lose 50 pounds in 3 weeks while becoming a gourmet chef and doing yoga on a paddleboard at sunrise. Start with something tiny. Something laughably easy.

• “I will walk for 10 minutes after dinner.”
• “I will eat one fist-sized portion of protein at every meal.”
• “I will drink water before I have my first cup of coffee.”

Tiny habits stick because they don’t overwhelm your already busy brain. You’re not trying to become a different person overnight. You’re becoming 1% better today. And guess what? One percent better every day adds up fast.

2. Act First, Feel Later

Motivation is great—but it’s also a drama queen. It shows up late, complains about everything, and disappears the second things get uncomfortable.

Stop waiting for motivation. Act anyway. Put on your sneakers, even if you don’t feel like working out. Prep a healthy lunch, even if you’re tired. You don’t need to feel like doing something in order to do it. If I waited until I felt like flossing, I’d have gums like a jack-o'-lantern.

Feelings follow action. Do the thing, and your brain will eventually catch up.

3. Shrink the Resistance

Make doing the right thing stupid-easy.

Lay out your workout clothes the night before. Keep a water bottle on your desk. Have frozen veggies and pre-cooked chicken in the fridge. Put your gym bag in the car.

Remove friction. Lower the barrier. You think James Bond waited until he felt like saving the world? No. He had the suit dry-cleaned and the Aston Martin gassed up. That’s called preparation. You don’t need to be a secret agent. But you do need a system.

4. Repeat Imperfectly

Let go of all-or-nothing thinking. All-or-nothing is the enemy of progress. It says, “If I can’t do it perfectly, I shouldn’t do it at all.” That mindset is why your treadmill has become a towel rack.

Instead, aim for “mostly.” Do the thing, more often than not. Keep showing up, even when it’s ugly. Remember: A bad workout still beats sitting on the couch rewatching “Friends” for the fifth time.

5. Track Wins, Not Mistakes

You are not a machine. You’re a human. And humans have birthdays and stress and cravings and flat tires. So instead of beating yourself up when you slip, celebrate what you did do right.

• “I didn’t work out, but I went to bed on time.” “
• I had a burger, but I skipped the soda.”
• “I was stressed, but I didn’t eat the entire bag of pretzels. Just half.”

Wins are everywhere. If you’re only looking for perfection, you’ll miss the progress hiding in plain sight.

Meet My Client, the King of Imperfect Action

Let me introduce you to Mike.

Mike is 58, works full-time, has two adult kids, and plays in a recreational softball league. When he started working with us, he had every excuse in the book.

• “I don’t have time.”
• “My back hurts.”
• “I don’t want to give up beer.”

But Mike took imperfect action. He did 20-minute workouts in his garage. He started meal prepping just two days per week. He walked laps around the soccer field during his kids’ practice.

Six months later? Down 27 pounds. Stronger than he was in college. No more back pain. Still drinks beer—just not every night. Mike didn’t wait for the perfect moment. He created momentum with messy steps.

When You Slip, Slide Back Into Action

Falling off the wagon is normal. What matters is how fast you get back on. One bad meal doesn’t ruin your week. One missed workout doesn’t cancel your progress.

You ever see someone drop their phone and then stomp on it screaming, “IT’S RUINED!”? No. They pick it up, brush it off, and keep scrolling. Do the same with your health habits.

Mindset Trumps Motivation

Fitness isn’t just about what you do—it’s about how you think. The most powerful belief you can adopt? “I don’t need to be perfect. I just need to keep going.” When you truly believe that, you become unstoppable.

You’ll show up on rainy days. You’ll train when you’re tired. You’ll say “no thanks” to office cupcakes—not because you’re miserable, but because your goals matter more. And when you do indulge? You’ll do it with intention, not guilt. That’s freedom.

What to Do Next (Like, Right Now)

• Choose one tiny action you can take today.
• Do it, even if it’s not perfect.
• Repeat tomorrow.
• Celebrate your progress.

Ignore the voice that says “it’s not enough.” Because it is enough. It’s how every transformation begins. Not with a bang. But with a step.

I’m here to remind you that the difference between where you are and where you want to be is action—specifically, imperfect action.

So start now. Not tomorrow. Not Monday. Now. Even if your socks don’t match. Even if your form isn’t perfect. Even if you accidentally do bicep curls in the squat rack. (Okay, maybe don’t do that. People will judge you.) Just take the next step. Then the next. That’s how you win.

Summary:

Success in fitness isn’t about perfect timing or flawless execution. It’s about taking imperfect action—tiny steps forward, done consistently. You don’t need to feel motivated or wait for the stars to align. You just need to show up, even if it’s messy. Set small goals, reduce friction, take action, and repeat, no matter what. Celebrate progress over perfection. The clients who succeed are the ones who do something—even when it’s not ideal—and keep going. So forget perfect. Do the next right thing. Then do it again. That’s how you transform. That’s how you win. Imperfect action beats inaction, every time.

To your success,

Coach Joe

Joseph Arangio helps 40+ men and women lose weight, gain strength, and slow aging. He's delivered over 100,000 transformation programs to satisfied clients around the globe. If you want to increase longevity with the best online age-management program, or you want to visit the best age-management program in the Lehigh Valley, you can take a free 14-day trial.