Making The Climb to Fitness
Well, I have an admission to make, I used to be a fat kid. I got bullied and made fun of a lot. It was not an easy process growing up. Goodness, I could remember those trials and errors at the gym back when i started. It was a painful agonizing process. The worst part about the whole thing is that when i was young I did it pretty much blind. I find a lot of people do that. I am just going to spend X amount of time in the gym and get results. You hope right? Well, if this is your plan, here is a little guideline of things i learned not to do, pitfalls if you will. So after you read this you will know what to expect when you make that big choice to make the climb again.
1.) Expecting Too Much Too Fast. We live in a world where we can click a button and get instant results everywhere. I mean it is sold to us each day. Eat this, take that, drive this, smell like this and you will be the hottest most popular guy or girl and look super cool and everyone will love you. It is unfortunate. Bear one thing in mind, it takes around 9 weeks to develop a habit, sometimes more, sometimes less. Make sure you plan to at least commit for this length before you start and know that you won’t just wake up the next day and magically be fitter right away.
2.) Working Out is Not Easy. Nope it isn’t. I said it. For some people, the concept of learning a new skill or even going to a gym is daunting. Personally, when i struggle, i ask myself why i go workout or go for a walk or run. There can be many reasons why you start. Many. Remember, you are in a relationship with yourself and just like any relationship it isn’t always easy. So choose to love yourself by doing the harder difficult thing. The results are contagious and by the end of the day you will feel great. I don’t know many people that have regretted a workout.
3.) Not Taking an Integrated Approach. Your fitness is a constant thing you have to work on all the time. If being healthy was just a matter of just making it to the gym everyone would be fit. It is a complicated process. Try to take a serious look at all the factors that are helping or hurting you: diet, sleep, stress, addictions. These all have an influence. Try to face these factors or acknowledge them before you get started so you are more realistic in how you approach your goals. This will save you a lot of heartache down the line.
4.) Convenience and Time Restraints. Life just has a way of happening and evolving all the time. Plan ahead. Maybe now you don’t mind the 30 min trek to the fancy boutique gym you really like but down the line it may not be feasible. Understand that your time is probably one of the most precious things you have. When most people ask me what gym they should work out at i usually will keep it simple: The one where you can go to that is most convenient to you. It makes sense.
5.) Plan to Fail. Now this seems ironic doesn’t it. Well, here is the thing. There is going to come a point where some of you are going to want to quit for a variety of reasons. KNOW this will happen and plan ahead. For me, i had failed so many times, and my mind was my biggest enemy. I would always think it was impossible, the process too slow, and quit. I never believed in myself. I never knew my own potential till i literally chose to be a bit ignorant and just commit and understand that at points it will seem illogical and stupid. The funny thing is when i stopped thinking so much and just acted i got results. That was the first time i lost 40lbs.
6.) Skipping Workouts. Oh this one. This is classic. It kind of feeds into all kinds of habits like eating as well. So you are running late, you aren’t feeling well, you had a bad day. So you miss one workout, then you miss two, then you miss three…….And soon you are back on the couch thinking “what the hell happened?” Remember, sometimes simply showing up is a win. Don’t be hard on yourself. Be realistic. Having an off day? Go the gym and go light. Your body will thank you later.
7.) Not Knowing Your Own Potential. I had to put this one down. This is last but definitely not least. After learning all of the different things above, i had no idea what i was capable of, none. We all sit here and we are victims and beneficiaries of our reality and feedback. Logically, we are programmed to think things will always be the same. Try and fail over and over. Remember, your big breakthrough can literally be just around the corner. Realize that beyond that point, there is a life to be lived that previously you only imagined. Imagine yourself in your new body. Act as if it will happen no matter what and guess what? It will happen. Random thought, when i was 14 i envisioned myself at 30 as a lean, strong and athletic 230lb man….and…somehow, magically, it just happened. Mind over matter. If i can do it, so can you. Live dangerously and don’t be afraid of failure.
Carpe Diem! Yours in health,
Sebastian Ankiel, Vancouver-based CanFitPro Certified personal trainer and life enthusiast. 🙂 Check out my facebook group for more information https://www.facebook.com/repbyrepfitness
This was taken from the August Edition of my Rep By Rep Fitness newsletter i send out to my clients each month. I thought it could be helpful so i am blogging the coles notes version here. You can also find me on Facebook.
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