Are you one of the lucky few fitness fanatics? You have no problem getting up every morning and getting to the gym for your workout or your early morning run. You've been exercising for years and couldn't imagine ever quitting. When you're on vacation or on a business trip, you always book at a hotel that offers a fitness gym so you don't get off track. You exercise 5x/week and it's never a problem and in fact, sometimes, you have to really discipline yourself to take a rest day. Sedentary, couch potatoes watch you with envy wondering how you do it!
Were you always so disciplined? Probably not. Think back to when you first started exercising. Do you remember how it felt? You may have felt a little awkward or clumsy. You may have been really stiff and sore the next day. It may have taken you a little while to get into a routine and feel comfortable with what you were doing. You may have hated every second of every workout!
When did exercise change from a chore to a necessity, a desire...When and how did you get hooked? As a personal trainer, it's my job to get new clients to the point where they've caught the exercise "bug". This is when clients stop complaining about how much exercise hurts and how difficult it is to stick to their program and instead, start commenting on how exercise makes them feel so good and how they find they need it to de-stress, find energy or be more productive at work.
Unfortunately, most people never get hooked on exercise. They give up before their body starts to experience these wonderful feelings associated with the exercise "high". Within 3 months, 80% of new exercisers have dropped out never getting a chance to take their exercise program to the next level. Scientists don't know exactly what differentiates those new exercisers who quit and those who succeed but we do know that the first few months are a critical stage. During this time, a new exerciser needs a ton of support. On their own, it's so easy to throw in the towel. But if they have friends, family and a personal trainer helping them with their pursuit towards a healthier lifestyle, they will be more likely to succeed.
But, each Personal Trainer is just one person. They can only directly affect a few people in their close circle. But each of you - those of you who've made it and succeeded with exercise - can choose one person in your life - a friend, a parent, a sibling, a partner, a child, a co-worker, anyone who has expressed a desire to get fit - and take them under your wings and help them to get fit.
- You can share with them some of the obstacles you've overcome.
- You could introduce them to new, fun and exciting activities.
- You could schedule one or more workouts every week with them for the first 3 months until they slowly develop some independence and can start to wean away from you.
- You can share healthy recipes. Maybe do a kitchen make-over together and help them eliminate some of the less healthy food choices from their cupboards.
- You could register for a program together. Maybe you could both sign up for something neither of you have ever tried before - that will remind you what it's like to be a beginner again!
- You could sign each other up to compete in a fun run or walk together. You could both consult with a personal trainer and do partner training at a reduced rate for each of you. There are so many ways you can help out!
Many of us have business mentors; well, why not be a fitness mentor. You'll feel so good that you're contributing and making a difference to someone's life. If you can get your prodigy to the point where they're hooked on exercise for life, they'll be forever grateful! So, this is a challenge to all of you avid exercisers out there. All we're asking is for you to be a support system for just one person. Can you imagine if each of us takes on this challenge? Our society will take a large step in the direction of improved health and quality of life. Go for it |
