What to expect when you are expecting to work out
As February ends we can notice the enthusiasm of New Year health and exercise resolutions start to fade away. The demands of “real life” start to creep in and our resolve to make this year different takes some hits.
Even though you might feel like it, you are not alone if you experience the following:
Quick progress seen in the first few weeks starts to slow down. Am I hitting a plateau already?
Workouts start to feel harder. Can I keep up this effort?
Work deadlines loom, family schedules change and become hard to juggle, heck, even the weather is unpredictable. I have already missed a few workouts, is this lifestyle just not for me?
Some movements pick up easily enough but others stay frustrating. Will I ever get better at this?
Looking around it might seem normal for people to not be in shape, or for those few succeeding it must just come easily. If we relate more to the first group and we want to challenge the norm by getting healthy and fit, take heart - in the pursuit of not normal fitness, the above experiences are actually very normal.
Usually when we make resolutions (not just at New Year) we think of the goals we want to achieve, and yes, we need a target to aim for. But achieving those goals, those changes, will take much longer than we realize. Especially if they involve significant lifestyle changes that we are not well-practiced at. When we don’t see the desired changes frustration starts to set in. We start hearing the voice of our inner critic instead of listening to our inner coach.
Your inner critic will highlight your faults for why you are failing. Your inner coach should guide you to refocus, to measure your success by keeping up with your practices, not just by seeing the outcomes. Start with:
Planning your workouts before the week starts.
Looking for the small wins (even just showing up is a win).
Remembering why you started.
Planning short-term goals that are practice and not performance based. Some examples are:
Attend two or three classes this week - practice just showing up.
Stick to one class time - practice consistency.
Complete one skill-focused day - practice 1% improvement without the pressure of racing time.
Check in with a coach after each session - practice connection and accountability.
Everyone misses sessions. It is normal to fall out of rhythm. Returning after a break is a sign of strength. For the non-genetically gifted, the secret to success is to never stop never stopping.
If you are among the group for whom “it” doesn’t come easily it’s even more important to focus on long term consistency - the dividends will be seen years from now when it really counts!
If you talk with someone who has held up their fitness and habits for many years you will hear that it hasn’t always been sunshine and rainbows, many times one doesn’t feel like working out, and sometimes workouts can be, well…boring. But it’s committing to the long game that makes it all pay off. So take this as encouragement and permission to keep showing up for yourself.
See you at the gym, my friends!
