The holidays are the best time to get in shape

Hello and thank you again for viewing my blog on personal training and fitness related topics.  Since I have been doing personal training in Cleveland for a number of years now, I have noticed that around the hoildays the gym tends to get much more busy.  This may be due to a number of factors.  During this time people have more time off of work, many feel guilt about indulging at holiday meals, and people begin to reflect on the past year.  Whatever reasons may drive a person back into the gym, I am happy for them. 

I always say that the toughest part of working out is what happens in your mind.  If you make the decision to work out and take care of your health no matter what, everything else will follow.  I am a firm believer that most of the obstacles that we face in life, or most of the limitations we see are self imposed.  In other words, the greatest challenge you will face will be in confronting your own disbelief, fears, objections, motivation, and uncertainty.  Once you conquer those, everything else will follow. 

Some examples of why a person will not work out or stick to it are...

1)  I am too busy

2)  I am too old

3)  I don't know what I'm doing

4)  I'm embarrassed that other people are looking at me

5)  I've been out of it for too long

6)  I have some aches or pains that I am unsure about

7)  I can't afford it

8)  The gym is too far away

9)  The weather is bad

10)I don't deserve to look or feel good.  I am a failure. 

and on and on and on....

Now allow me to offer some insights on each of these objections.

1)  "I am too busy".  Everyone is busy.  I have trained individuals who own their own businesses and work 16 hour days but still find time to get into the gym for one hour.  If you don't have time to go to the gym, make sure you set aside time for the doctor and future medical operations, because your going to need it. 

2)  "I am too old".  I could point to any number of well known celebraties that are still exercising into their 80's and 90's.  I recently read and article about an 80 year old woman who competed in a triatholon.  I myself have trained clients as old as 88.  You are never to old. 

3)  "I don't know what I am doing".  Then hire a qualified trainer to help you establish a safe, productive workout routine.  Even one or two sessions should provide you with a weath of knowledge.  If you can't do that, there are numerous instructional dvd's you can do in the home where they explain the exercises.  Make sure you consult with your Doctor before engaging in a workout program.

4)  "I'm embarressed that other people are looking at me".  Even if they were, which they are not, would you let that stop you from becoming healthier and happier through exercise?  The truth is most people are in their own world when they are working out, they are listening to music and/or watching the television.  Most people are in the gym to get the job done.  It's one more thing on their daily to do list and the truth is that most people could care less about what you are doing.

5)  "I have been out of it for too long".   All the more reason to get back in.  Enough said.

6)  "I have some aches or pains that I am unsure about".  Check with your doctor for any restrictions you may have.  Then contact a qaulified and experienced personal trainer who can show you safe ways to workout without aggravating any preexisting injuries or conditions. 

7) "I can't afford it".  Can you afford not to?  Can you afford the increased medical bills that may very well be in your future if you don't engage in regular exercise and sound eating habits?  Can you afford to walk/run around your nieghborhood (free).  Can you afford to do pushups,modified pushups, or any number of bodyweight exercises that require no equipment in your living room (free).  Don't know how?  Hire a trainer for a few sessions to show you how.  It will be worth every penny. 

8)  "The gym is too far away".  Then consider creating a home gym or going with the above mentioned technique of doing exercises that require little or no equipment in your own home.  Many trainers including myself go to people's homes and bring a great deal of useful equipment to optimize workouts.

9)  "The weather is bad".  This is a good time to have your plan B workout program in place in the home.  A little home equipment and knowledge goes a long way.

10) "I don't deserve to look or feel good.  I am a failure".  Believe it or not some people actually think this.  It's unbelievable.  Does everyone else deserve to look and feel good except you?  Would you let someone else talk to you that way?  There is a lot to be said for positive self talk.  If you would not allow someone else to talk to you like that, then don't talk to yourself like that.  Build youself up with statements like "I can", "I will", "I deserve".  Even if you don't believe it initually, keep saying it everyday.  It will build into your subconsious and take hold eventually. 

 

I hope this blog has been helpful for you in overcoming some of the common issues with working out regulary.  Make sure to set some challenging but attainable goals for the new year.  As always you can visit my website at http://www.paulowens.org.