My gym class is usually about 15 people. Of which about 10 are semi-regular, and five are regular. Yes, yes, this is my moment of self promotion – I’m a regular: round of applause. My hardcore, ‘sweat is flying everywhere’, ‘work until you see stars, if you don’t wake up from nightmares which involve another set of push ups’ classes are an important part of my day. They make me feel alive and focused. They trick me into believing I am a human machine and delude me into thinking I can beat up all the boys on the planet. Yes, it’s the endorphins.
Come mid-January you can not swing a skipping rope in my gym class. Every time I do a lunge I secretly pray I don’t stick my heel into a neighbour’s eyeball. Real problems, chaps! I wouldn’t lie if I told you I get territorial. I mean, we all know that these over-eager-happy-sweating people will not last two months! Right? For the five regulars, these people are seen as obstacles in the way to our six-pack dream.
Despite the January overcrowding I actually wish people would stick it out. Occasionally, I get to make a friend as we change sweaty underwear in the changing room. Sometimes I even get to be a part of someone’s journey to a healthier body and greater self esteem. I love that stuff. Before and afters are inspiration on Red Bull!
So here are some reasons to help you stick it out, change your body, and take up my skipping space all the way through to December this year.
Turn exercise into a habit
Exercise needs to be one of those things that are a part of your day. Like brushing your teeth, or packing your bag, or phoning your bestie. The best way to stay healthy is an active lifestyle. It’s not about one or two days a month; it’s about consistency.
Get better every time
Don’t try to beat Arnold Swazzeneger on your first day at gym in seven years. Please. You are not Jillian Michaels because you have successfully done one push-up without dying. Ease into this gym thing. All you need to do is get better every time. You are competing against yourself and that’s all.
Always keep the right form
You’ll hear gym bunnies throw around certain words – form is one of them. Form means that you are doing an exercise properly. Let me help: five correct dead lifts are better than 20 incorrect ones. Correct form helps prevent injury and helps work the right muscles.
Do a variety of training
Just because you are a girl doesn’t mean you can wimp out and not lift weights. Just because you are a boy doesn’t mean you will lose all your muscle if you go for a run. Optimal fitness is about strength, flexibility, cardio and balance. Mix it up, it will help keep you from getting bored and you will see a positive impact on your fitness levels.
Create your own motivation
Humans work harder when they are motivated. Perhaps your motivation is a race you want to complete; perhaps it is the skinny jeans you want to wear; perhaps its the added benefits of feeling healthy and positive about yourself. Write it down and review your motivation before you work out. Or when you feel like taking a nap on the couch.
Build relationships.
Relationships make exercise fun. Yes, that’s right – I put exercise and fun in the same sentence. Find out about the lives of the people you do a class with. Talk to your instructor after the class. When you actually know a few people in a class they can encourage and push you to do better. Don’t be the person who rushes in and out without so much as saying a word.
Remember you are on this planet for a reason. You want to live a quality life and give it your best shot. Don’t follow the status quo – be in it for the long shot. You’ll be thankful for the results of your commitment, even if my personal space won’t.