Why Ruba Ali Wants You To Prioritise Progress Over Perfection
Make this your new health and fitness mantra.
February 4, 2025 - Updated February 4, 2025
For our newest trainer Ruba Ali, striving for progress over perfection is one of her favourite mantras, and this powerful mindset has helped guide her new fitness philosophy and influence the creation of her first Sweat program, Thrive.
“This mantra is something that keeps me grounded because we’re always trying to compare ourselves to something outside of ourselves when really we should just be trying to be better in our own bodies.”
Ruba knows there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to movement and wellbeing and that progress looks different for everybody. That’s why her new 6-week program is all about helping women around the world Thrive in mind, body and soul with fitness that fits into their life and empowers them to step into the very best version of themselves.
Perfection is a myth
“I used to be a perfectionist and I think that really worked against me,” Ruba explains. “As you grow, you realise there’s no such thing as perfection. You should always just strive for progress and that’s where my focus is now.”
“I’ve definitely had my own self limiting beliefs where I never felt like anything was good enough even if I achieved my goals,” says Ruba. “As my fitness philosophy has evolved to strive for progression and not perfection, it broke those limiting beliefs for me and I began enjoying my workouts more.”
After all, perfection is the enemy of progress and Ruba says that having self-compassion and knowing not every day will go to plan is essential to making meaningful progress.
“There’s no way to be perfect, just strive to be a little bit better,” says Ruba. “Even if you fail on some days, you just show up with a better attitude the next day and keep going.”
The key to a more confident you
When Ruba shifted her approach to put progress in the spotlight, she found her consistency and confidence both improved.
“Progress and consistency are far more important than perfection because it’s all about the habits we do on a day-to-day basis that determine who we are and the quality of our lives,” Ruba says.
Her advice? Start small. “When you commit to a 20-minute workout three times a week, the energy and the momentum you carry through your week is far greater than the week you do one 60-minute workout.”
Embracing her new fitness philosophy and a renewed emphasis on progress has also allowed Ruba to step into her most confident self, and she says that true confidence has to come from within.
“I think anytime we as women focus on looking perfect or looking a certain way, we actually become less confident. When we focus on our progress and the little things we’re doing better, we gain our confidence.”
“Your confidence has to stem from within and that’s something you can develop every single day.”
It’s time to Thrive
Ready for a program that helps you prioritise progress over perfection as you step into the strongest, most energised version of you? Thrive with Ruba Ali is available exclusively in the Sweat app.
Amy is a writer and editor at Sweat. She has over a decade of experience in women’s publishing and digital media and has previously worked across titles including Mamamia, Grazia and Cosmopolitan.
* Disclaimer: This blog post is not intended to replace the advice of a medical professional. The above information should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease or medical condition. Please consult your doctor before making any changes to your diet, sleep methods, daily activity, or fitness routine. Sweat assumes no responsibility for any personal injury or damage sustained by any recommendations, opinions, or advice given in this article.
Wellbeing