Looking Past Your Inner Skeptic

I was sitting in a conference room the other day waiting for a routine staff meeting to start. The usual surface banter was taking place between some of my coworkers, which I tune out, but then something sparked my interest. Conversation ensued:

Guy:  “Man, it was really hot in the gym today.”

Lady: “It is still crowded down there? (implying the new year rush)”

Guy:  “Yea, it has kind of slimmed down, but there are still some people down there that shouldn’t be.”

Another Lady sitting by the Guy, shaking her head insistently yes.

Um, I’m sorry; did I just hear you correctly? People down there that SHOULDN’T be?? It is pretty crazy how this one sentence invoked an entire internal conversation in my head.

Many avid gym goers, let’s call us gymies, know exactly what that dreaded time of year looks like; Full parking lots, crowded cardio decks, and just the extreme busyness of the gym starting January 1. I don’t think I can even begin to count the amount of times that I have heard complaints about this particular month, but one thing is for sure, it happens every single year. And it is followed with, "Well we just have to deal with it, they won't be here after another month anyway."

So about the slimming down part, it probably won’t surprise anyone that the top resolution made almost every year is to lose weight.  Yes, people usually fall of their newly found post-holiday motivation around February or so. But the probability of all of those people keeping their resolutions the rest of the year is almost none. In fact, it’s 8%, again, not surprising.

And, internal conversation continues. Why is it that some of these people, even the most motivated gym newbies fall off after the first month or two? I know there are all kinds of articles out there that talk about New Year’s resolutions and how they don’t work, blah, blah.

As a gymie, what if your actions, either positive or negative, effect one person that has set a goal to become healthier this year? Have you enforced the statistic that people can’t keep their resolutions? Did the look you just gave them because they are on your favorite piece of cardio equipment, discourage them from coming back? Did your not so friendly attitude about them using your prized weight machine enforce the fact that this just may not be for them? Did your attitude of you shouldn’t be in here rub off on them? Maybe so, maybe not. Will we ever really be able to tell, probably not. 

But, why, as a person who has found the inner motivation to work out and stay disciplined enough to keep coming back, have that kind of attitude towards someone who is trying to make a positive change in their life? You know the benefits of going to the gym and the effects it has on your health, so why aren’t you encouraging others as well?

I’ll admit it, I have had that attitude before. I have dreaded the month of January in the gym. However, since becoming a group instructor, my attitude towards January has completely changed. I look forward to that month, because it challenges me to challenge others. I love seeing the look of someone complete something they never thought they could do. It is really awesome, actually.  So instead of letting that inner skeptic rear its head, try something different. Be encouraging, be friendly, be motivating, but above all else, be accepting. You never know, in the smallest way, you could have a positive effect on someone’s life. And that, gymies, is pretty dang cool.

Saw it, so I tried it.

In my post yesterday I added a picture of a woman doing a TRX handstand. The instant I saw it, I wanted to try it. So I DID. It wasn't exactly perfect but nothing really is the first time you try something, right?! Best part about it, I got everyone else in my class to try it too (although almost everyone was hesitant at first). Peer pressure in this case is AWESOME! And, they want to try it again next week so they can improve! Motivation has now been planted! Mission accomplished, for this week anyway! 

Do something DIFFERENT!

Most people stick to what they know, either because they don't really want to try anything different, or because they just don't know what to do. I find that most people I talk to are "semi" motivated to work out, but don't because they don't know where to start. 

Joining a gym or just working out in general can be intimidating to most for a couple of reasons. 

One, you don't want to look ridiculous to all of the people that are in shape and "look" like they know what they are doing. Two, you lack personal motivation required to get and stay in a routine. Three, you put it off thinking that you will go tomorrow, which turns into "Monday, I'll start." "Next month I will really hit it hard" and "My new years resolution is definitely going to be focused on getting into better shape." Four, it's change, and most people don't like that. 

There are a couple of options that you have. 

1. Stay with what you are doing and how you are doing it. 
2. Decide that you want to try something different and walk away from your comfort zone, even if just for a little bit. 

If you decide that #2 is an option for you there are a couple of different ways you can help yourself get over the initial shock of starting something new. 

1. Find a friend to do it with - usually with fitness or diet, having someone as an accountability partner works wonders. 
2. Find a class at a gym that others look like they are having fun doing and TRY IT. YES, it will be nerve racking walking into a class where you don't know hardly anyone. YES, you will feel awkward doing things you haven't done before. AND YES, after going a few times you will eventually get comfortable! But, you have to take the first step. Everyone in that class has taken that step at some point, and knows exactly how you feel! (I remember how absolutely dumb I felt the first time I took a TurboKick class, but I am happy that I did (awkward punches and all.) Otherwise, I wouldn't be teaching classes like I am today! (Pssst... you will make a lot of great friends, who are  committed to the same things you are! -  i.e. MORE MOTIVATION.) 
3. Hire a trainer, they will for sure motivate you! (But it might cost you a pretty penny)

Whatever seems like the best option, pick it, commit to it, and give it a chance! 

GO BEFORE YOU'RE READY! 

Speaking of different, I posted about TRX last week and found this great article about how different is GOOD. Check it! 

TRX adds a little suspense to a humdrum exercise routine

TRX workout from Hell.

So I not only teach Boot Camp, but teach TRX as well. I am an avid believer in being able to complete ANY and ALL of the workouts I ask my members to do, plus it keeps me in great shape too! I am always looking for new ideas and came across this video yesterday as I was putting ideas together for yesterday's workout. I only used the exercises from the TRX portion (wish I had the beach to work out on though!) of the video and mixed in my own moves as well.

Just doing the moves in this video will kill you as is (I'm def feeling it today). The side lat pull/push is no joke! If you are looking for some new moves, this is def a good place to start! If your gym or a gym around you offers this class, I would strongly suggest you experience it! TRX works muscles you didn't know you had!