With warm weather around the corner, I’m sure many of you are thinking about new ways to get motivated and, once and for all, get fit. It’s tough because the odds are against us.
Half of all new gym members cancel within six months, according to research by the Global Health & Fitness Alliance. I know people who never even went after signing a contract.
I was lucky in college; I met a few guys who I can confidently say were your typical meatheads. They taught me everything about heavy lifting, and I became addicted to training and the powerlifting world.
There was a cemetery in Madison, Wisconsin, near campus, and the guy who maintained the property had a secondary use for the shed that housed the lawnmower. He bought in used equipment, free weights, and mats.
Membership was cheap and the “neighbors” were quiet, which meant that we could play our loud music and drop weights on the ground without any complaints.
The powerlifting culture was almost as unusual as the drive past the headstones on the way to our gym without air-conditioning. Powerlifters wore singlets like wrestlers did, but they put them on over their T-shirts. And let’s not forget the wrestling shoes. This was not a great look for me or anyone—no matter how fit we were.
I could bench press 165 pounds, deadlift and squat 315 pounds—both a record at one point in college and I did it all naturally—without any steroids. My gym friends used to joke that I got strong by helping these guys load and unload weights to and from their bars. Some of them were lifting as much as 800 pounds!
Looking back, I miss powerlifting. I often think about getting back into the sport if I had the time. I miss the challenge and the mentality, but I what I miss more is that I was totally myself. I could roll out of bed, throw on my sweats, head straight to the gym, and push my body in ways that most people didn’t do.
Retired professional body-builder Ronnie Coleman used to say, “The gym is one of the few places where I can just be myself without any hindrances and inhibitions.” I couldn’t agree more.
When my patients ask me what more they could be doing fitness-wise, honestly, I tell them to just start doing something—anything they like enough to repeat. If you don’t enjoy the activity or can’t be yourself while doing it, you’ll never be able to make it a habit.
Here are five ways you can beat the odds of quitting your fitness regimen (or any goal):
1) Make targets that are specific, measurable, realistic, and timebound. Intentionally choose smaller incremental milestones to start so you can experience success early and often. This will spur you on to reach bigger goals.
2) Determine why you’re setting a goal and keep that rationale front and center at all times. Make your rationale visual and post it where you make stops throughout the day (e.g., your desk, the fridge, your closet, etc.) Your why is typically more meaningful than passing temptations that may cause you to take shortcuts. Focusing on your why helps strengthen your resolve.
3) Find an accountability partner who will kindly, yet firmly, support your efforts. They might even be someone who will join your endeavor.
4) Get regular check-ups with your doctor (if your target is fitness related).
5) Choose something you like and where you can be yourself. This is the most important. If you can’t be yourself, you won’t stick with it.
For me, strength training is a great sport because you constantly compete against yourself, but you can also compete with others if you like. I loved going to the gym and putting more plates on my bar than the guys!
Find something that gives you a similar rush. If you can’t find a gym owner in the cemetery, find an activity that’s personally meaningful to you. You’ll be more likely to beat the odds and stick with it.
Singlet, anyone?