Think of some really fun experiences you’ve had in your life. If they’re anything like mine, chances are you weren’t very goal-oriented while you were doing it. For me, some particular childhood moments of pure joy, like laughing uncontrollably with friends over the silliest of things, and adult moments partying and doing basically the same thing — probably somewhat intoxicated — stand out.
Now, think of some of the more serious or un-fun things you do. Like your taxes, dragging through traffic, fixing your slow internet connection, or a required reading from a textbook.
I can remember my summer after high school when I re-took Calculus after failing it during my senior year. The junior college class was sparsely attended, and the teacher taught in a dull monotone. I had to pass this class, so I resolved to read the textbook cover to cover. I didn’t enjoy it, but took it as a necessary, bitter pill that served a greater purpose (or so I thought).
A lot of your “adulting” in life is like this. Like the library full of books, the tools are usually available to you to succeed, but in order to not totally resent the process, we strive for something more than just getting through it.
We like having a teacher that brings the subject to life with stories and humor, a peer group who bring their own rich character and narrative to the forum, a start and end date, and even *gasp* homework and tests. It gives the process of learning some vibrance and color, even the parts that are uncomfortable, like being called on when you were not paying attention.
This is what I have seen in the fitness space as well. You have goals, you have a certain determination to achieve them, and yet even with a clear roadmap of how to achieve them, most will only move forward on them consistently as part of an enjoyable experience that nicely packages the process of getting results. This is the essence of “Exer-Training,” that exists on a type of spectrum shown at the top of this blog.
For pure exercise, think of a dance party, or those funny 80s sports aerobics videos. That can be you, it’s silly and fun, who knows how productive, but who cares! For pure training, imagine that textbook, or maybe the Rocky IV montage before the big fight with Ivan Drago. Getting down to business time. We like to watch the Rocky montage, it’s entertaining with inspirational music and all. Though the spirit of the underdog overcoming the odds is timeless and heart-warming, in reality few would stick with training that way.
It turns out, most people that I have met do their best work when the process for realizing their goals is closer to the dance party than the textbook. Even if, strictly speaking, the textbook will get you there faster and with more certainty.
You don’t need a reminder that your health goals are serious and the consequences of you not taking them seriously are dire. I tend to believe that people do this enough on their own, and carry some baseline anxiety around it. Therefore, the most effective guidance I have found is one that relieves you of this type of stress and, with some creativity and spontaneity, breathes life into the process of realizing your unique potential.
Coach Mauricio