So when I get a text, email, phone call saying work is manic, issues at home etc, my response is always that that is more important, go get it sorted as we are always here, let me know if I can help, lets face it training is basically just training; family, work they are a higher priority.
Conversely when people have life issue that are bogging them down I also look to utilise our classes as a cathartic experience and attempt to entice them to class to utilise it as an escapism, a constant that they can rely on, a support structure with peer group support from the other students and instructors; I look to encourage them back to training; physical activity is one of the best solutions to stress and challenge!!!
Here's a great article by an excellent Health Coach from the States that I follow in regards to keeping your self on track with your training and goals but doing it in an appropriate way:
There’s this new fitness trend I’ve been watching with equal parts amusement and annoyance.
Here it is: “Get up at 4:30 am and train your ass off—no matter what!”
I can see the appeal, of course. It’s direct. It’s motivating. But it’s also unrealistic for most people—yes, even those of us who are serious about our health and fitness.
If you’re like me or 99% of the people I work with—including elite athletes and other high-performers—then I’m sure there are times when getting up at 4:30 am to hit the weights would actually set your life back.
Like if you’re:
- Raising children or managing family life
- Changing jobs
- Traveling frequently
- Recovering from injury
I think we all need to realize that it’s OK to take a break from training when your body and life need it. (It’s also OK to stuff your face with pumpkin pie this week, which I definitely plan on doing.)
The way I see it, training isn’t the end goal, living a better life (and enjoying your friends and family) because of your training is.
But everyone needs a break from training at one point or another in order to do that.
So what if instead of telling people they shouldn’t take breaks (even though we all do), we focused instead on how to get back on track when life throws us a curveball?
Today, I want to share the 3 things my top-performing clients do to get back on track with their workouts after a break or setback.
1.) Top Performers: Understand that as their life changes and evolves, their training must change and evolve, too.
What most people do: Life throws them a curveball, but they try to keep the same workout routine. (This all-or-nothing approach usually leads to failure, unfortunately.) They feel guilty for what they can’t do instead of doing something that matches where their life is now.
For instance, one of my top-performing clients got into a terrible car accident years ago. She broke her leg and was on crutches for months. Most people, would say, “Screw it, I can’t work out”. But not her. She called me and said, “I’m going to be out for two weeks to rest. Then, I want you to help me write a program that I can do without using my leg.”
When her life gave her new circumstances, she got a new program. THAT’S how it’s supposed to work.
At age 22 I’m sure we could all train 5 days per week and eat 5,000 calories per day.
But at age 32—with a newborn baby, a full time job, and lower-back pain—why do we try to do the same thing that we did 10 years ago?
If your life is different, then you need a different approach to training. End of story.
2.) Top Performers: Know that it’s better to achieve a small goal than it is to fail at a big one.
What most people do: Choose a goal that’s unachievable (like working five times per week, when they’re currently working out ZERO times per week).
I often get clients who come to me after a month or a year from not training who want to go straight to training 5-7 times per week.
Two questions reveal how probable they are to succeed:
How confident are you on a scale of 1-10 that you can workout 7x per week?
Can you show me on your schedule for this upcoming week what days and times you’re going into the gym? (Don’t forget the commute!)
Almost always, they won’t feel 100% confident they can do it, and they have to start next week (since this week is too busy).
But if we scale it down to a goal that they feel 100% confident they can achieve, they can always find the time, and the success rate goes through the roof.
Moral of the story: No matter where you’re at right now, start smaller and work your way up. It’s the smart thing to do.
After all, it’s better to hit the gym 3 times per week consistently over months instead of going 7 times per week...once.
3. ) Top Performers: Have Coaches To Keep Them On Track
What most people do: Think, “I’ve done this on my own before, so I can do it again.”
This is the most important differentiator I see in those who succeed...versus those who fail.
Listen: Olympians, top-performing bodybuilders, and even top executives hire coaches. They don’t fall back on, “I already know what to do”.
Personally, I have marketing coaches, business coaches, and I’ve even hired fitness coaches myself. Every coach I hire has a coach. If they don’t, I won’t hire them.
Why? Because top-performers are always learning.
No one pushes themselves harder on their own than they do when someone is watching. No one does the things they know they need to do, but don’t want to do (i.e. mobility) when they haven’t made a commitment.
Having a coach in your corner is the fastest and most surefire way to get back on track and make progress. I’ve seen it over and over across multiple industries.
The Takeaway:
If you need a break to spend time with family and friends this week, I hope that you take it. (Your training program will be ready for you once you get back.)
And if you’ve been taking an extended break from the gym—maybe life has thrown you a curveball—then I hope you don’t spend the next couple of months being mad at yourself for it.
Instead, try something new to get your body moving again, commit to something you know you can do, and consider working with someone to help get you out of the rut.
Dr. John Ruskin