Use competition to fuel your fitness success
One of them indicated that he’s started working with this non-profit organization (a big one) and that he’s never seen such, in his words, “piss-poor” management. This isn’t the first time I’ve heard that around town in regards to this particular branch of that organization.
This branch is in trouble and they’re at risk of shutting their doors. They’ve been in a troubled state for years and with the present economy it’s really looking bleak. Whether it’s deserved or not, it’s being viewed as a management issue.
“Why”, he asked, “can’t they get some decent managers in there?” While I don’t know anything about the inner workings of that particular situation, I can give a pretty good guess as to why they struggle with management. It’s because non-profits, schools, and government positions are low-competition positions. They’re positions where your income is largely subsidized and therefore stable. Sure, it may be lower than in the private sector, but the stability is there. These organizations generally do not (and are not expected to) draw a profit and grow, and people keep their jobs regardless. There’s no danger and there’s no competition.
****Now before anyone gets too upset I want you to know that I’m not bagging on the social services or institutions or the people who work there. There are some extremely competent employees of these companies. However, the extremely competent employees know exactly what I’m talking about.****
So as a result of not having to really worry about producing results or having the next generation run you over, people in positions of power in these organizations don’t often have a need to get better. Without that strong push, they don’t or they progress slowly. These organizations become places where people who can’t or don’t want to compete go to hide.
Ok, enough soap boxing. What does this have to do with fitness? EVERYTHING! Let’s look at the old line of “survival of the fittest” for a second. How about we reverse it a bit? “The fittest will survive”
I like it! True fitness success comes through motivation and focus. Nothing sharpens up one’s focus and motivates one more than stiff competition. If you have to get better, you will get better. Guaranteed. Will you hit your goal? Maybe yes, maybe no. However, there’s almost no question that you’ll be a whole heck of a lot further with some competitive help than if you were just bumbling along at the pace of complacency.
Why do you think shows like the Biggest Loser are so successful? A big part of it is that there’s a competition going on! That’s why these people don’t quit.
Do you have to have someone to compete against? Does every session in the gym have to be a battle against your best friend, worst enemy, or personal trainer? Nope. Those are all great motivators, but you can build your own competition. How many push-ups did you do last session? Twelve? Ok, well then today is the day for thirteen. Competition breeds progress and success. Even if you’ve run away from conflict and competition your whole life, find it in yourself to put a little bit of teeth in your workout today. Compete against last week’s workout and make tomorrow better. You’ll be surprised at the results.
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If you do a little reading, television cruising, and listening to fitness experts, it seems like fitness is a pretty simple thing. It seems that if you move like so, sweat this much, eat this amount, then before long you’ll be fit, lean, and looking great. If you listen to the fitness world, then it’s all just a mathematical system and if you follow the steps you’ll have great, linear progress.
Well, it’s not quite that free and easy. In reality the act and process of losing fat, gaining muscle, and improving your fitness (however you decide to define it) really is fairly simple. However, it’s not necessarily easy.
In everyone’s fitness journey there are what I call road blocks. These road blocks are situations and conditions that stand in the way of your goals. Just like real road blocks these fitness road blocks can stop you dead in your tracks. And just like real road blocks you have a few options. You can:
-Go around them.
-Try to drive right on through.
-Turn around and go back.
-Continue to push against them in an attempt to get through.
Today I’m going to go over three road blocks that I see my clients hit time and time again. I’m going to describe the situation and let you in on my tips for getting around these particular road blocks.
Fitness Road Block #1: Outside Stress. The human body lives with stress all of the time. Every situation you come across is full of potential stress. Is it cold outside? Stress. Did you have a couple drinks this weekend? Stress. Did your obnoxious coworker cough on you earlier today? A double helping of stress right there.
Not all stress is bad. Stress is the impetus for your body to grow, adapt, and change. When you train you are providing your body with stress to push it towards the body you want. Some stress is good, or at least is the means to a good end.
The problem is that too much stress, of any kind, can overwhelm the body. When it is overwhelmed then it doesn’t adapt well to any stress, including your training. Too many of us are running around living way too stressful lives. This daily grind and stress is sapping the energy we need to train efficiently and to enjoy our lives. This, and the hormonal reactions from the stress, leave us with more body fat, less muscle, and no motivation.
Sit down and figure out the three biggest stressors in your life. They may come from work, personal relationships, living arrangements, finances, or anywhere. In order to limit your outside stress, look at any possible way to eliminate or reduce any of these stressful situations and then take action on it. Only action will solve the problem, not planning.
Fitness Road Block #2: Parties and Social Situations. Every time of year has it’s share of holiday and social functions, and they almost all revolve around food and drink. This time of year it’s almost time for Halloween, and that means lots of Halloween candy and a growing waistline.
It can be hard to turn down the food and drink that doesn’t help you at these parties and functions. Being successful in fitness shouldn’t mean that you have to become a shut-in and shun the outside world. The two keys to holiday survival are moderation and planning.
Before you go to an event where you know that lots of tempting but unhealthy food will be served I recommend that you eat a good, healthy meal. Focus on lean foods such as a lean protein and plenty of vegetables for bulk and fiber. If your stomach is full when you walk in the door it’ll be a lot easier for you to just try a few tastes of the food there rather than fill up a couple of plates.
Fitness Roadblock #3: Not Measuring Progress. My clients all know that I’m nuts about measuring both physical and workout progress and there’s a reason for it. If I just leave it all up to subjective feelings and don’t measure things then it’s very easy for them to be swayed by good days and bad days.
Instead I frequently check their progress. If they’re making progress on volume of work, total work, lower heart rate, smaller measurements, less body fat, or more muscle, then I know they’re headed in the right direction. It’s easy to be encouraged when there’s a number right in your face that’s an improvement over the last measurement.
Test yourself regularly. Be sure to record the results and measure them against your past results. If you are improving, then you know that you’re heading in the right direction. If you’re not, then it’s time to analyze what you’re doing and figure out how to change it.
Life is full of little and big road blocks that will throw you off track if you allow them to. Rather than simply viewing these road blocks as something in your way to push against, use them as opportunities to examine where you are, where you’ve been, and how to best continue on your journey. If you look at your progress as a bunch of small, well-coordinated steps you’re far more likely to be successful than if you view it as one big, scary path.
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