Focus on the Long Game

​Recently a client reached out to me, telling me that she was feeling defeated and discouraged because there are movements that are difficult for her.  Here is what I told her…

If I could wave a magic wand for people in the beginning it would be to help you put on blinders, focus on the long game, and not compare yourself to anyone else.  You say that you want to give every session 110% and that is a great sentiment - but the truth is, that really isn't sustainable.

So many people only want to show up if they can give 120% effort. But the secret is - what really matters is the days when you show up when you didn't want to and all you've got to give is 2%. That builds character. That builds gumption. That builds trust because you've made a promise to yourself and you've kept it.

And you know what - After consistently showing up - you will want to ramp up the intensity - your body will be ready for it and it will feel really good and soon yesterday's 120% effort is todays 2% effort." 
 
This health and fitness game is 99% mindset - you can not allow yourself to feel defeated.  Every single day is going to be different (and this applies to EVERYONE - even Mike and even Katie).  There are days that you can really go for it and there are days that you just need to show up and give your 2%.  The goal is CONSISTENCY - consistently working toward building the muscle of habit.  Drinking your water, nourishing yourself well, and showing up for your training sessions.  The rest will take care of itself.  

That movements that we train with here are difficult and there are ALWAYS modifications to every single movement.  If ever there is a movement that feels to challenging - please ask for a modification.  No one is going to be offended and no one is going to care one way or another.  

If you trained with me, you would notice but I do this ALL THE TIME in my training sessions.  A few things - I don't jump rope - because it makes me pee my pants and I don't like being in pee pants for my training session.  I get a modification in EVERY training session for this and I am not embarrassed to admit it because I know that the trainer will give me an alternative that will be right for me.

Another example from a recent training session - we were doing hamstring curls on the TRX - and there were people in there that were BRAND NEW TO EXERCISE (I own this personal training business and I have been at this fitness thing consistently for the last 9 years) AND people 2x my age and they were doing the curls no problem.  If I were to compare myself to those other, I would have been very defeated, but I have trained my mindset to NEVER compare myself to others.  To me - it felt terrible behind my knees and I didn't want to risk an injury.  I simply waited and got a modification - no big deal.  

You belong here, I promise.  We are here to support you every single step of the way.  

So, here is my best advice: Keep your head held high, put on those blinders, commit to the long game, do what is right for you, and be proud of yourself every single step of the way.