I just wanted to write this short post so that I can quickly share some knowledge around mind-set training. Anyone who has spent any time with me in the gym (seems so long ago!) has heard me talk about the mental component of fitness at some point. Why is this important now? Well, I’ve been catching up with some of our clients and our coaches online recently. Unsurprisingly they’re finding that motivation to keep exercising at home in the current situation is sometimes a struggle. The longer isolation lasts, the harder it is to keep that mojo topped up! Motivation is hard when it’s just you and the workout. There are no workout buddies to help you stay on task.
And despite what you see online … zoom group fitness classes ain’t the answer. Especially not in the long term. I’m going to post something soon about why body-weight HIIT workouts in online group video calls are not as beneficial as you might think they are.
But for now let’s focus on motivation. The problem is not an absence of motivation. That’s just a term or another way of describing purpose. eg. the reason that you run from a burning building is pretty obvious! Motivation is pretty clear in that scenario and you’ll find some very quickly! But there’s one element of mind-set training that’s also present in the burning building scenario. FOCUS or being mentally present. The imperative or intention to survive a life threatening situation tends to focus the mind rather sharply very quickly!
In my martial arts training I was taught the value of being present and in the moment. A.K.A ‘focus’. It’s a very good idea to be switched on, mentally prepared and present when practising violent self defence techniques with another living, breathing human being. We would commence every training session with a recitation, Shi-kin Hara-mitsu Dai-ko-myo. The uninitiated mistakenly interpret this as a prayer or mantra. But it’s not that simple. A prayer is passive. In the martial arts we are not passive. When I recite these words I’m telling myself that I’m about to physically manifest an intention. It’s about being ready for whatever happens because if I’m unprepared I may let the opportunity for success pass me by.
It’s hard to workout on your own at home even if you have the benefit of a great home gym. But training yourself to focus on your intention, and to be ‘present’ is a useful skill and technique that can help you achieve more regular and consistent workouts. If you’ve decided that you’re intention is to become healthier and fitter then a workout actually becomes a manifestation of your intention. You’re taking a step towards creation of a new reality.
So … if you’re finding excuses to NOT workout, ask yourself what your intention is with regard to your health and fitness? Then write your answers down. Then write down all the things you WILL do to create a new reality. This will include good, healthy nutrition and exercise. Then put time aside to exercise, and then show up. But before you start the workout of the day … check-in with yourself. Why are you working out? Will your workout be free from distraction? Will you be present or will you be thinking about the grocery shopping? Understand how doing one workout is a manifestation of your intent, and be ready for opportunities to succeed (eg. new PB) whenever they arise.
Then repeat.
Want to know more? Go here.
Coach Gaz