Are you Fit Enough?
- The reality of modern life
- Three steps to changing habits
Being fit has a wide range of individual connotations. Being fit in one regard doesn’t mean that you are necessarily all round healthy.
In my instance, I know that my cardiovascular endurance is strong yet my ability to retain muscle mass is poor. It’s something that I work on with my gym sessions.
For most people, their general fitness isn’t really challenged: drive to work, sit down, drive back then sleep and repeat.
Unless you work a physically demanding job (which is rare in this day and age) or keep actively fit, then. it’s unlikely that your general fitness will be tested that frequently.
This level of comfort creates the perception that we don’t need to challenge ourselves or it’s too much effort.
I’ll hold my hands up, this was certainly my outlook before I began challenging myself with running then ultimately ended up with a career in fitness!
There is always room for improvement (notably in fitness) and it doesn’t need to be a miraculous change.
When I began running, it was the result that I was addicted to: relaxation, feeling great and noticing an improvement every single run.
Sitting down for long spells was something that used to irritate me but having the fresh air, music and personal challenges made it something that I would look forward to after a stressful day. Running in the evening was what worked for me but I’m more of an morning person these days.
It does take effort to change habits but it can be done.
There are three steps to changing your habits and generating a new routine…
1) Discomfort
For any change to occur, it requires an acknowledgement that the present situation isn’t working.
This may sound obvious but it’s a significant step to change.
Normal day to day functions could be getting more difficult, for example, like getting out of breath easily or having no energy to spend time with friends / family.
One of my mantras is “it takes energy to make energy!” The less you do, the less energy your body will require but if you are regularly active you will feel less tired. Sounds like it should be the opposite but I can assure you.
This first stage of realisation is normally followed by an uncertainty / insecurity or a shock if you will.
2) Reward
For most people, it comes from an embarrassment or a situation of discomfort that leads to acceptance.
A significant bearing in my running career was that I discovered how unfit I was when playing football – it gave me a real kick up the backside to start something.
As much having a push motivator (feeling like you need to do something) works, you need to balance it with internal motivation (a reward). I’m not talking about a binge eating session but having something ahead to look forward to will assist greatly.
A consistent routine will help this become a reality! Rewarding positive behaviour ingrains it as a habit
3) Repetition
A habit is basically a repetition of something on a regular basis. For this to happen to needs concerted effort to do it. By using a reward as a crux, you will have a new habit in no time.
Furthermore, if you can become addicted to the outcome (like I was with running) it will spur you on.
It is a fine line between balancing the repetition with reward. Setting milestones along the way will assist with charting your progress.
The best practice to follow is the Pleasure:Purpose principle whereby you mix enjoyment with results.
Enjoyment is the most important part so find something that motivates you to change: it could be a new sport, classes, the gym, basic lifestyle change or whatever!
For more on this, read the “The Power of Habit” by Charles Duhigg.
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Do you have a question about fitness? Let me help! Email ross@rypt.info
Ross
