How do you create a lifestyle of fitness and health?
A lot of people think that it’s so easy because I’m a trainer, I have access to all the information, I know how to train properly and effectively and hell, I WORK and OWN a gym so of course I’m going to get there.
Obviously I will be in shape.
Obviously I love eating healthy and since I know what to do, it’s pretty freakin’ easy.
Obviously.
The other day I was finishing up a training session with the 7am group at the gym. Awesome session, we had a great time and lots of laughs as the 7am T/Th crew always does. As we were winding down I was thinking about the rest of my day and as I thought about my upcoming personal workout I was like “shit, I really do not want to do this today.”
You know that I love training, it’s my therapy and it keeps me sane and focused but sometimes I just don’t feel like freakin’ doing it. It’s hard as hell. My body is often beat up, my mind is on other things and of course I have a million things to do that are business related. I’m tired, I’m sore and I just don’t feel like it.
Usually once a week I have a day like that.
The difference comes right now. Do I want to work out?
Nope.
Do I do it any way?
Yes.
Here’s a little check list that I give myself when I have that “I hate everything in this gym” day.
Step #1- I get my ass on the foam roller
As soon as I start feeling those sore muscles start to relax and I get some mobility in my ever tight upper back, I feel just a tiny bit better.
Not a lot better, I mean I still hate “almost” everything in this gym.
Step #2- I think to myself, just get through the warm up.
I start doing some mobility work, lunges, high knees and shuffles.
My heart rate gets up and blood starts moving to my pissed off brain.
I only hate 1/2 of the gym right now. We’re getting there.
Step #3- I just get through the first set
The first set is usually pretty stiff, legs are still a little lethargic but that’s okay, I just hit 195 on the dead lift for an easy 4 reps. I can do this.
I don’t hate that barbell as much right now.
Step #4- I can’t go back now. I mean, I’ve got my shoes on, I’ve got chalk on my hands and my body is warmed up. Okay, let’s go.
By this point the workout is typically in full swing and I feel pretty damn good. I won’t lie to you and say that I ALWAYS have a great training session at this point, but in the case of this particular day I described above, it was damn good. 6 sets of heavy dead lifts followed by a circuit of:
- Kettlebell Farmers Carry
- Battling Ropes
- Prowler Drags
- Boxing
- Sledgehammer Strikes
What’s the moral of this story, besides getting a glimpse into the inner workings of my crazy brain on workout day?
We don’t always want to do this. Our bodies are going to be tired, sore and pissed off. The difference becomes when you create the fitness lifestyle. If you are in the fitness lifestyle, you slowly and gradually work your body and your mind up for the workout.
If you are on a fitness kick or a diet, you probably will skip that day.
People think just because I live and work at the gym that I love it every single day. I’m human too. I wish I had a trainer to program the workouts and allow me to show up, kick ass and then go home.
I wish I had the accountability to not only my trainer, but to 8 other people that will be asking where I am if I don’t show up to the workout.
Sometimes all you need is the motivation and accountability of others to give you that little push on the days you don’t want to do it. Sometimes though, you have to make the choice that you WILL live that fitness lifestyle.
Just get on the roller. Then just warm up. Then just finish the first set. By that time, I’m pretty certain that you’re not going to just walk out of the gym after one set.
On the days you just aren’t feeling it, think about that sequence. Think about the reasons that you train hard. That is what will get you past that feeling of being pissed off at your boss, feeling shitty about your body and just being damn tired.
We’re all human, we all struggle, but coming out on the positive side of that small daily struggle that you’re having with your conscience about working out is what will get you results. All those days that you say “I don’t want to” and you do it anyway, that’s results.
At Durbrow Performance Training we’ve got a 21 day trial membership. Click here to register and start living the fitness lifestyle.