I hear all the time from my friends or people who come into to join the gym or inquire about personal training services, “All I need is a routine and to know what to do when I come to the gym, and I’ll be fine.”  It’s a completely valid statement, and I would agree that knowing what to do is a big step to getting results.  However, I’ve written many a routine for people to follow and guess what, 75% of the time they do not come in and do it again after we meet.

This has really got me to thinking, it must not be knowing what to do or a routine that makes us successful with our fitness goals, there is much more at play here when it comes to getting to the gym and ACTUALLY doing the routine.

I believe there is a big difference between knowing how to do something and ACTUALLY doing something.  We love to know things, it’s in our human nature.  But, what bridges the gap between knowing how to do something and then actually taking action and doing it?

We all struggle with this.  We all KNOW we need to do a lot of things, don’t we?  That doesn’t mean that we are taking action on them.  It’s why people “know” that they need to do _______ to lose weight, but they don’t do it.  It’s why people “know” they need to exercise, but they don’t.

I can tell you from professional experience that it’s really not the “routine” that gets people results, but actually DOING a routine or a workout CONSISTENTLY that gets results.  We could have a “perfect” routine, but won’t get any results if we don’t actually DO the routine.  However, the person who doesn’t have a routine, and just goes to the gym and starts trying classes, walking on the treadmill, or piddling around with the weights CONSISTENTLY will get better results than the person with a routine but that is not coming to the gym and actually doing it.  I think sometimes people are sitting around waiting for a perfect routine instead of  just getting to the gym and moving around.  As my home boy, Einstein, said, “Nothing happens until something moves.”

That is why I feel having a “reason” or a “why”, then actually taking action, and having some accountability from a coach or friend come in to play and are much more important than having a routine.

To take action, we must have a “reason or a why” for doing something.  That “reason or why” must also be bigger than our “EXCUSES”….Yes, we all have them….excuses.  The biggest one I hear for not exercising is, “I don’t have the time!”  Yeah, neither do I.  But it’s not about having time, it’s about making exercise a priority and making time.  Your “reason or why” may be different than mine, as it should, because this reason has to be very important to you.

Here are some examples of different reasons people may have for wanting to exercise.  You may steal one of these or you may come up with your own unique reason by seeing the examples below:

• I want to be a good example for my kids and be able to play with them and chase them around.
• I want to get off of or reduce the amount of Insulin I take for my Diabetes.
• I need to rehabilitate an injury or want to be as strong as possible before going in for a surgery for a current injury.
• I want to be an independent senior for as long as possible so that I’m not a burden to my children.
• I want to look Smokin Hot in my skinny jeans or bathing suit.
• I want to run a Half-Marathon.
• I want to be a Super Hero 😉
• I want to manage my chronic pain.
• I want to look good while I’m riding my Unicorn.
• I want to meet other people who are interested in health and fitness and make new friends.

It doesn’t matter what the “reason” is, it just has to be important enough to YOU to throw you into action.

After you have established your “reasons and whys”, some accountability may be in order for you, especially if you are new to exercise or not consistent on your own.

Accountability can look a couple of different ways.  It could be joining a running group, working out with a spouse or a buddy, joining a spinning class, or hiring a fitness coach.  Did I mention, that is also more FUN to workout with a friend, group, or coach.  I’m a coach, and I love working out in groups or with another coach who can hold me accountable to my goals, watch my form, and push me a little harder than I would push myself on my own.  I believe we all want to be held accountable on some level.  Let’s face it, we don’t push ourselves as hard on our own as we do when we are with a group or with a coach.  It’s why some of you run your best time in the actual 5K race than you did in practice.  There is much more energy in numbers.

Besides offering accountability, a fitness coach can offer some education on methods and form.  We didn’t learn how to drive a car in one session, so why would learning about strength training or a cardio regimen be any different for a beginner.  Meeting with a trainer one time and getting a routine doesn’t mean you are going to understand everything about fitness in one session and just be good to go on your own.  Geez, I’m a fitness coach and I’m still learning new things all the time.  I even need a coach to help me with form on new exercises from time to time.  So don’t be cocky and think you are going to learn in one session what it has taken me 20 years to learn and am still learning everyday.

In conclusion, if you are new to exercise or not exercising consistently right MEOW, it’s more important that you define your “reasons and whys” for wanting to work out, then hire a coach in the beginning to get some education, accountability, and some momentum going.  You are important and WORTH investing in to reach your fitness goals.  YOU MATTER and YOU DESERVE to reach your goals!  You will also be more committed to your goals if you have a little money invested in the game, too!

If money is an issue and you can’t afford a trainer or coach, than the next best thing is to get a friend to workout with you and hold you accountable, or get involved in group exercise classes, like Zumba, Turbo Kick, Spinning, etc.  These classes have teachers and a routine for you to follow in the beginning.  After you are consistent with exercise for 3-6 months on your own or are attending the gym or classes regularly, than start looking for a routine that you could do on your own.

This week I would really like you to consider if it is just a routine you’re looking for or if you may need to get clear on your “reasons” for working out.  If you’re clear on your “reasons” and still not taking action, consider that a routine will not cause you to take action either, and accountability is what is lacking for you!  If so, see if you can find a workout buddy, join a class, or hire a coach to get some momentum started.  The best thing we can do is to just take ACTION and get STARTED!

Thanks for stopping by,

Tommie

Are you ready to get started and don’t know how?  If you live in the SD area and would like support, visit my Team and I at Being-Fit.  If you don’t live in the SD area, but are exercising consistently and not getting the results you want and would like assistance with putting together a routine or plan, please contact me via email here and let’s see what we can do about it.