Why I Seldom Talk About Fitness
(Even Though I'm A Fitness Coach)
Takeaway: To achieve long-term success with your lifestyle changes, you need a thorough understanding of the role fitness plays in your life. The work required upfront is different than what’s required later down the road.
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Why I Seldom Talk About Fitness
I was 16 years old when I set out to lose a substantial amount of weight.
Over a fifteen-month period, I lost over 80lbs.
During that time, fitness consumed me. I'd exercise twice a day most days. School, my part time job, and the gym were my life. I gave up my social life. I gave up eating out more than the rare occurrence. I had to go all-in on my fitness.
At the time, for me, it was probably necessary. I needed an overhaul of not just my habits, but also my identity. I needed to prove to myself that this time would be different. That I was going to be different.
And this all-in mentality continued for a long time, well through my early twenties and into the start of my fitness career.
In the beginning of my coaching career, fitness was all that I talked about. Workouts, nutrition, PRs, bodybuilders, supplements—this was the topic of every conversation. Whether that be with clients, friends, or people I'd just met.
It was something I was clearly passionate about.
Over the last few years I've realized that, at least in my personal life, I hardly ever speak of fitness anymore.
I can't remember the last time I spoke about my workouts to a friend. I can't remember the last time I've celebrated a personal best in the gym with another person.
It's not because these things don't happen. I can count on one hand the number of days I've missed a workout in the last decade. I still show up every day because I feel my best when I do some sort of physical activity during the day.
But what I've noticed is that I don't need to be "all-in" toward fitness anymore. Now, I'm spending my time exploring the areas of life where my fitness has paved the way for new opportunities and possibilities.
I talk about travel.
I talk about business.
I talk about ideas.
I'm enjoying the fruits of my labor, the new identity I've created, and am actually being the person I set out to become.
And this is how the trajectory of fitness should go, isn't it?
In the beginning, much more effort is required. You're breaking old habits, rewriting new ones, and need to reinforce all those new behaviors and thinking patterns.
But as time goes on, and these choices become more automatic, shouldn't you be able to step back and enjoy it all?
Of course you should. That is the point, after all.
This is important to keep in mind if you're just beginning your fitness journey.
It's ok that it takes more work upfront. Don't get discouraged if you feel like you're working very hard to see the changes you want, because eventually it all becomes easier. One day you'll fully enjoy the fruits of your labor.
This is important for coaches to keep in mind.
Many fitness coaches are still trapped in the fitness-is-religion phase. Everything revolves around fitness. That's going to help your clients who are just starting and are in the all-in phase, but it will only perpetuate fear in those clients who are ready to step into their new life. If you want to see clients succeed long-term, you need to help them make sense of integrating life outside of the gym.
The today Alex is worlds different than the yesterday Alex. If you've known me long enough to know both, it's quite shocking. I can confidently say I'm living the life yesterday Alex could only dream about.
What will your tomorrow version look like? I bet it takes place outside of the gym and tupperware containers.
~ Coach Alex