Every story about boxing has a defining moment in the final round when the hero blocks out all the noise around him, digs deep into his soul and finds the instinct to get the job done. Not only do these stories have many sequels, such as the four or more editions of Karate Kid, but when push comes to shove, the trainer has to stand back and realise that victory rests in the individual.
Now let me ask you, if you hire a personal trainer, are you dishing out the dough for a) Training or b) Motivation? To help answer this question, consider the differences between a) and b).
Personal trainers are the after-school tutors who can teach you the tricks to help you get a better grade. Personal motivators are the strict parents who nag, threaten, and execute until homework is done. Often, the trainer ends up being the motivator since both elements are needed for success.
While that may be as clear as mud, the jury stands that ultimately the greatest trainer and motivator is you. Why? You have instinct and intuition. A certain pithy proverb of the Native Americans goes: “You don’t need to teach a child the trail between his mouth and his bowl.” And I’ll add, “Kids know what they want.” Fact: we know ourselves like no one else and there are some things that don’t need teaching. Apply that to your health and you realize that just like Rocky Balboa, you can get all the hired help you want but in the end it is ultimately up to you to follow through. Here is how you can reclaim your inner trainer and succeed in your quest for better health.
Get Inspired
Competition: The anything-you-can-do-I-can-do-better is a great inspirer. The thrill of proving this point is what fuels competitors to achieve their personal best in their field. You don’t need to compete for world records and get your photo featured on a Wheaties box, but you can compete against yesterday’s you. Successfully resisting the urge to eat unhealthily, be lazy or making excuses rather than going for a walk brings a feeling of euphoria that will make you want to repeat the feat.
Group effort: If you are the type that avoids competition, the next alternative is to participate in a group. On a typical morning in a Singapore park you can see groups of people performing beautiful aerobic movements in unison. Unlike the standardized perfection demanded of ballet, these Singaporeans practice the basic moves of tai chi within their individual limitations. The relaxed, personal and supportive atmosphere may appeal to you and the motivation of a group effort can encourage you to get involved in walk-a-thons, dance lessons, charity work and other activities that contribute to good health.
Tracking goals: The financial players on Wall Street track data to establish enough confidence to invest. The same trick can be used in personal training. You have as your arsenal apps and gadgets that can track everything from body weight, fat content, the number of steps you walk, calories you burn and so on. Keeping a record of healthy activities gives you parameters for measuring progress and a reason to continue striving to keep up your health.
The flit approach: Butterflies may not stay in one place for long, but man, think about the calories they burn. A hardcore boot camp militaristic approach to fitness is the usual trap of failure for most. Variety may be the spice you need to gain an appetite for fitness. It is silly to conclude that flitting from one interest to the next is a waste of time since repeating the same exercise over and over actually stresses the body. We are designed to pull and push, jump and squat, lift and lower. So a one-dimensional approach to fitness is not logical. The desire to discover is an excellent inspiration.
For those personal trainers who are reading this we just want to say that your effort to help others attain fitness is a massive contribution to humanity. Thank you. For those readers who hire fitness trainers, realize that your goal is to eventually be weaned from the bottle and stand on your own two feet. Awaking the inner trainer pays better dividends. l
