I was talking to another coach/friend of mine yesterday and we got on the subject of quitting.
He described a day he had programed a 5k time trial (meaning run about 3miles as fast as you can) for his group.
He told me 2 came in looked at the workout and left.
He called them later and reminded them that it undermines the confidence and motivation of the entire group when they did that.
They got the message and completed the run the next time it came around.
Do you know the REAL RISK you take when you quit?
It reenforces the WRONG behavior.
When you quit on yourself especially dropping out of your exercise program, you make it easier for you to quit other things when they get challenging.
It makes it easier for you to quit a challenging job that asks you to be a better version of yourself.
It makes it easier to quit a demanding educational course that would have taken you to the next level.
It makes it easier to abandon your new business when the going inevitably gets tough.
It makes it easier for you to let down yourself, your family, hell even your country.
Let there be no confusion.
Quitters are losers.
Losers don’t become losers overnight.
What helps is not avoiding quitting, because you’re focused on the wrong thing.
Set yourself up to make it easier to stick with it.
Here are the 3 top methods I’ve found to make it easier to show up and keep showing up for working out.
1) Join a group workout program.
There is nothing more powerful for positive, make it easy to get there and stick it out than to have a group of people that will suffer with you.
I’ve found getting into a group program and simply showing up at the same time on the same days you’ll naturally get to know those around you.
I’ve always said you’ll let your coach down, you’ll let yourself down, but you’ll die before you’ll let your friends down.
2) Get a training partner.
Hardest damn thing to find as an adult due to most peoples laziness, bad time management, and crappy support systems.
If you can find a friend, family member, so-worker, or someone already in your exercise group that matches your focus make them your training partner.
That’s one more set of eyes looking for you to show up, and another person you’re accountable to.
Get the right training partner combined with the right group and you’ll be nearly bullet proof.
3) Learn Mental tricks to stick with
it.
Over 30 years of training in some form I’ve learned a lot of mental tricks to get me to the gym or out the door.
A) The 10 Minute Rule
I promise myself that I’m going to show up and train for at least 10min.
If I’m still not feeling it, I’ll walk away.
And that’s OK because I’ve reenforced the important habit of showing up.
In 30 years I’ve bailed once.
On the other hand I’ve lost count of the great workouts I’ve unexpectedly had on those days.
B) One set at a time.
I was reminded of this the other day from an Army guy. It’s how you get through difficult physical qualification drills.
If the workout consists of 10squats 7 burpees and 3 deadlifts you only focus on the set in front of you.
I can do 10 squats. Done
I can do 7 burpees. Done
I can do 3 deadlifts. Done
Over and over until you’re completely finished.
Once you’re on track the most important thing is to stay on track and that means…
Showing up, and showing up, and keep showing up.
That’s the secret to success.
Talk soon
Dave
P.s. 2 Weeks. Unlimited workouts. With me. Take advantage of the Bring a Friend for a Fort Night here at the Body Firm. To get in just reply to this newsletter or call the office at 817-320-0743