It is January 1, 2011! I hope everyone had a great New Year's and holliday season. Now it is time to work off those holliday pounds and get a jump on getting ready for spring break!
So, how can you get in shape? How can you make this the year where your success sticks, no more "yo-yo'ing?" Of course we all know proper exercise, diet, and cardio training. But some big aspects to achieve success are the ones we have problems with; Commitment, Motivation, and Support.
Commitment:
The International Health Club Association released last year that 50% of people joining a gym will stop going after 6 months, and 90% will quit within the first 3 months! Why are these the facts? Because everyone who has joined a gym made the decision in their heads that they want to change somthing. Whether its weight loss, weight gain, build strength, pre-condition for a sport or event, we join gyms to better our health and fitness. So why do so many of these people end up quitting? The answer is ALL sorts of reasons. Being a Personal Trainer, I have met with and helped goal assess, and worked with numerous of "New Members," and a lot of people are just not comitted. I have seen many gym members get in there and try to make their goals their reality, and for some it is a hard lifestyle shock. A month into training and for one reason or another they are not seeing the results they think should be having, and so far they have just felt hungry and sore. This is why it is so easy to mentally check out. You have to stay comitted to your goals. You joined to get your body to a certain level, so keep going for it. If you start feeling discouraged at any point during your program, week 4 or week 12, instead of giving help go talk with a trainer. Every gym has trainers, people that are there day in and day out to help you. If your car breaks down, you see a mechanic right? Think of your body as a car, nothing wrong with trying yourself but if you feel you can't do the job, you don't park your car on the side of the house, you take it in and let a professional figure it out. Talk to a trainer, it could be the life changing experience you need. Stay commited, don't give up on yourself, if you want somthing, achieve it.
Motivation:
Some gym goers are commited, if they can keep their drive alive. I have had clients that only hired me because they know will come to an appointment. They have been working out for years, they know how to get to their individual goals, but they also know unless they have a meeting with me, work, family, etc., will get in their way to go to the gym. If you are comitted to your plan, you want to make change, and there are other issues that make it hard to do what you have to do, you have to fix it. Bottom line, you need someone or people to keep you going. It is not only physically, but also mentally exhausting trying to get your workouts in, go to work, help the family, and anything else in your life. Talk to your family, talk to a trainer, aerobics instructor, yoga or pilates instructor, friends, anyone you trust and tell them you want to reach your goal, and you need that external boost to keep you going. But it will come down to you to make that mental check that you will go to the gym, and get the job done. If you are struggling with internal motivation, you need to have friends and family backing up your spirits, and you will do great.
Support:
And it all comes down to having a support team. You come home from work late planning on grilling up some chicken, and come home to find your family ordered take out. It is tough, doesn't matter who you are, its nearly impossible to create a lifestyle change if everyone in your life isn't on board. Now I am not saying if you want to get healthy, your whole households needs to get on your program (not saying that would be a bad thing). But talk to your spouse, parents, kids and firends, anyone who you feel close to. Tell them your goals, what your program looks like and how important it is to you. When your friends and family are on the same page with you, it makes your life changing experience a bit more pleasant. Your support team is there to assist in motivating you, and keeping you accountable.
Stay Commited, Motivated, and have Support behind you.
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