The biggest obstacle to beginning a fitness plan is looking back at you in the mirror. The hardest step is usually the first one. Most people have limited athletic backgrounds (especially as adults). Most of us have begun unhealthy habits – like eating poorly, drinking and smoking. But our lack of athletic ability and our less-than stellar habits are small compared to the real problem. The biggest obstacle to starting a fitness challenge is lack of motivation. If we can remember back to our high school studies of physics, “an object in motion stays in motion, and an object at rest stays at rest”. Remember the Slinky?? If we had infinite steps, that thing would go on forever…. And just think back to the last snowstorm - how difficult was it to drag yourself off the couch and head out to shovel. Why? Because you wanted to stay at rest. Who wouldn’t?
Well, it takes a lot of motivation to start something new. And a new fitness program is certainly no exception. It’s hard. However, I have had the privilege to work with a client for the past two and half months who personifies motivation. I will call her “A”. “A” became accustomed to a sedimentary lifestyle and as a result became very unfit. She had tried several exercise programs before, with trainers that seemed less that interested in her goals. She was not an athlete and did not have an athlete’s ability. Her progress was slow and steady, but her trainer became unfocused and uninterested in her progression. After more than year, she saw no improvement. His lack of motivation for her progress started to carry over to her as well.
Then she did something about it and tried something new. New trainer, new facility, new chance. Her progress is still slow and steady, but she is seeing results. She comes in twice a week, excited to start her program. Each time she is given a new workout routine that incorporates exercise that she knows with new ones that will work a different set of muscles. Her motivation is contagious – I love researching additional exercises that will help her reach her goal. She tries harder than most professional athletes and her enthusiasm makes me strive to be a better trainer.
And so far, for all of her motivation and hard work, she has lost almost 30 pounds. If you ask her, she looks forward to coming in MOST DAYS. Like I said before, an object in motion likes to stay in motion…
Here’s hoping that “A’s” story may help to motivate you to change some habits, and to get in motion. You have nothing to lose but weight. And your gains? Well, they are immeasurable – adding years to your life, being stronger, requiring less medications, being healthy, etc…
Get motivated & Stay fit for life!
Mary Burke
DMB Crossfit
