Secret Wonder of Willpower
Many a new exercise or fitness regime starts out full of good intentions only then to collapse out of nowhere. Before you know it your left frustrated and back where you started. We reveal why achieving your fitness goals is not just about the physical but your ability to conquer mind over matter. Discover how by being prepared for the inevitable hurdles that will come along and try and sabotage the new you it’s possible to smash them into oblivion.
It’s Nothing Personal
Before you commit yourself to a life on the sofa and another failed exercise attempt it’s time for a reality check. Everyone from the fitness newbie to elite athletes and in between encounters challenges. The difference lies in what you do to tackle them triggered by your ability to face things head on, adjust and adapt your approach and stick with it when the going gets tough.
In a nutshell it’s easy to give up, you have to be strong enough to go the distance and that comes from knowing a little about the problems you’ll experience and playing a ‘what if…’ game with yourself so you’re fully prepared for when they inevitably come along.
To help you achieve your goals here’s our run down on the top 4 exercise excuses.
1 – Physical Excuses
Expect at times to be too tired or sore and not feel like training. You’ll start to question if it’s such a big deal to skip training, just the once.
The Fix – Develop your plan B so you’re ready with an alternative training date the very next day you commit to or better still come up with an easier training option, such as a brisk walk that gets the job done and keeps your training on track.
2 – Unrealistic Goals
If you plan to train 5-7 times a week without a decent amount of experience and training frequency behind you then for the majority it’s a fast-track to failure!
The Fix – Seek some expert help by booking a review with your Fitness Instructor. Design an achievable plan where you start small and build up incrementally. Three, 40 minute training sessions a week is sufficient to deliver meaningful results and gives flexibility to swap a day if you need to. Once your in the groove 6-12 weeks on then add a 4th session into the mix or extend your training duration by 10 minutes.
3 – The Exercise Rut
It starts off as fun and suddenly is the equivalent to a hamster on its wheel. To top it all you’ve stuck with it regardless, but things have plateaued and you’re routine no longer seems to be working. As the old adage goes ‘if you always do what you’ve always done, you always get what you’ve always gotten.’
The Fix – Firstly see it as a good sign that things no longer seem to be working. That’s a massive signal your bod’s giving you that it’s adapted to the training routine and it’s time to up the ante. This will bring better results and keep you engaged for the long haul. But where to start? Many make the mistake of thinking it’s a question of duration and extend session length. Don’t be fooled this is about adaptation. Now’s the time to consider getting expert help and advice from a qualified personal trainer. It doesn’t need to cost a lot and depending on budget you could invest in as little as one session every 6 – 8 weeks. In return you’ll receive a bespoke training plan and one to one coaching on how to safely complete your new exercise plan.
4 – Not Knowing your Achilles Heel
Be mindful of the fact that no one likes a martyr and that includes your mind and body! Yes, resentment will quickly set in if exercise feels like a chore to be got through.
The Fix – Understand when it’s hardest for you to train or you’d rather be doing something else and avoid these times. Plan your training for when you’ll enjoy it and have the time to commit.
Feeling inspired and looking for a new career in fitness? We provide students both Level 2 Fitness Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer courses in London. Our much valued and driven students are located across the UK and Europe.
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