Fitness Foundations

The more you learn and grow in life, the more you take for granted what you know.

You assume others also know the little nuggets of life knowledge you have picked up along the way, but often this isn’t the case. That’s why for this very first newsletter, I’ve decided to start from the beginning and reinvestigate some of the foundational elements of health and fitness that I take for granted.

What’s Your Why

It's a bit of a cliché, but if you are starting out or trying to reignite your fitness journey then you need to get some clarity around your WHY. Why?

Because as humans we don’t like to do things that are hard, require effort, make us uncomfortable, or make us feel vulnerable. Starting something new is SCARY (let’s all just admit it – NOBODY likes walking into a new gym for the first time). You need your why to carry you through the initial moments of self-doubt and vulnerability, and literally get you through the door, or to reach out to a PT for the first time.

Once you’re up and running, you’re then going to need to keep coming back (once the initial motivational rush has faded away) – THIS is the challenge you should have in your mind. On those dark days, on those sad days, on those stressed-out days…how do you get your body and mind to choose the right action? The fitness game is a MENTAL game more than anything else. And it’s in this space you can do the most growing.

The challenge I always set for clients is to try and RE-FRAME their perception of going to the gym or doing a workout. Connect the post-experience high with DOING THE THING. The gym is a place to go and restore and leave happy.... because you did the thing.

Overcoming Barriers Don’t over think it before you get there, just tell yourself you will get on the treadmill for 10 minutes (only) – you’ll be amazed how doing this relaxes your mind and primes you for a good session – and if you STILL don’t feel like, then go home happy that you tried. To this day, whenever I have applied this technique, I have NEVER left after walking for 10 minutes. You’ll just have to trust me!

Getting to the gym is the hardest part. Here are some other approaches that have helped me overcome mental barriers over the years:

• Using headphones to motivate and remove feelings of self-consciousness.

• Getting my gym clothes out and ready the night before.

• Pre-planning sessions, so I know what I’m doing when I get there.

• 5 minutes of walking before every session (it relaxes my mind and gets me primed).

• Find a gym with a sauna – the post gym sauna is part of the reward for getting there!

• Having a dedicated gym bag with all the bits I’ll ever need staying in there (padlock, swim goggles, bands, straps) – packing my bag is now SO easy.

• Setting ‘The Standard’ – what do you expect per week as a minimum (1, 2, 3 sessions a week?) This gives flexibility but maintains a basic standard.

• Planning ahead for my fuel after (shakes / snacks).

• If you don’t know where to start with exercises, then WORK WITH A PT!

Change

Your why might CHANGE over time too, and that is totally fine and actively encouraged. My focus now is on building a body that will be fit for the future and serve me well as I age. I see the gym like taking my car to the MOT garage for a service – assess how things feel, what needs improving, and what might need fixing (hopefully no parts need replacing but you never know…).

Just go with the flow. Whatever floats your boat as they say – if you enjoy doing it, then you’re more likely to keep doing it.

DON’T let anybody tell you there is only one way of doing things!

Who Are You?

My lasting thought on this piece is whether you can ADOPT fitness as part of your IDENTITY.

I did this a few years ago when reflecting on my life during an unhappy period. I realised I wasn’t as physically active as I used to be, and I linked a large part of that to my UNHAPPINESS.

I remember saying to myself “I’m Will, and I go to the gym now”. It sounds pretty cringe, but hey, I’ve been going ever since and can 100% say fitness is now part of my life.

Give it a go and let’s see in six months how you’ve got on!!

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Liked this post?

If you found it helpful, feel free to share it with a friend or someone starting their fitness journey, it might be just what they need to get started.

Your thoughts mean the world to me, so don’t hesitate to hit reply and let me know: What’s your why? Or what’s helped you keep moving forward?

I’d love to hear from you.