Getting Started Again… Again?
Ever find yourself looking at the beginning of a fitness journey and wondering why you decided some time ago to get off your last one? Essentially, Getting Starting Again? … Again? If so, then this post may read familiar for you.
Has it been a long time since the last fitness journey was in full swing? You may find yourself in a holding pattern, wanting to get back in the game but not following through. I relate with you! From the end of 2012 till mid to late 2013, fitness was a daily part of my life. My initial net change was ~33 lbs (mostly fat mass loss and detox from college years). My second net change was 6 lbs (solely muscle mass) over a period of a couple of months.
Through the end of 2016 before my wife and I got married, I focused on mass building programs that helped me gain another 21 lbs of lean muscle plus about ~5 lbs of body fat. A considerable change for my composition. To sum it up, I felt great. Here’s some evidence!
However, possibly like you, my exercise since 2014 is intermittent at best. I owe that to my priorities being set on my work and more recently, my faith and my wife.
Starting Again… Again is where I find myself today, still holding onto that desire to achieve a peak level of fitness that I never have before. The weight of past’s progress feels heavy, especially knowing I can do better. One would think the results I gave above are simply ones that can motivate me to push to the next level, but sometimes you simply underestimate just how much you can allow life (yes that’s right, I am owning it) to “get in the way” and stop us from doing what we desire most. It’s frustrating…
That being said, time for a workout break. If you find yourself wanting to get back in the game, this may help you get that push forward! >>>
And we’re back. Man that felt great! Getting Started Again! But it also gave me clarity to finish this blog. I have a dilemma and that is that I’ve allowed myself to get in the habit of keeping fitness as an optional task. Rather than focusing on today, I’ve allowed yesterday’s results feel like a task I cannot achieve again. At times, doing exercises like this seems daunting, even when I use to nail them in the past. In fact, I’m not really starting up again per se, having completed 8 weeks of weight training/HIIT exercises through August and September 2018, but continuing forward with that momentum some 3-4 weeks later after completion of that program.
Here’s how I plan to do so:
1) Keep Blogging – Also Getting Started Again
This is my accountability to Getting Started Again. If I continue to blog (last time I blogged was April 5th) with the focus of writing about my next transformation, I need to first workout to have that transformation take place. Genius right!? Well, this is one form that will help me do that and also work on my writing.
2) Set Accountability In Place
Not only will blogging help, but I’ve gone into agreement with a mentor of mine that each of us are going to push to achieve our best physical fitness to date. If you knew my mentor, you’d say ‘Ryan, man! You have no excuses!!’ Well, you’re right. My mentor just turned 50 last month. I have absolutely no excuses to Getting Started Again! Plus, I have my promise to you as my audience to keep this going.
3) Stick to a System
Many times what you find is programming that looks like this: ‘Lose 10 LBS in 60 Days’, ’28 Days to a Healthier, More Slim You’ or ‘3 Weeks to Reset Your Mind, Health and Body’. None of these are bad necessarily, however once you reach that 60, 28 or 21 day mark, the program is over, leaving you to your own devices. That’s what happened to me after all of those previous gains.
What you will see differently here is me using a system that is ongoing with no “end date” in mind, making adjustments periodically (say every 30 or 45 days for example). The initial results I shared took 8 Months! Don’t get me wrong, it is my goal to have a significant change from where I am now (that photo will come, just don’t feel up to sharing right now) to the end of 2018 (right before Christmas week). However, instead of setting a end date, I’ll systematically set mile markers to assess, adjust and progress forward.
4) Add Rather Than Take Away
Simply put, the psychology of loss is hard. We don’t do well with losing loved ones, pets, jobs, income, vehicles and anything other tough loss you can think of. The same psychology is in effect when considering “loosing” bad habits, and as you may have found, it also applies to Getting Started Again. From experience, as well as from professional recommendation, it is better to add positive daily habits (like exercise or healthier foods) rather than think about cutting bad foods, forcing yourself to workout hours on end and obsess with losing weight.
Think of it this way, where your focus goes, your energy flows. Would you rather focus on loosing weight or adding positive, yet simple and small habits to your lifestyle? One is arduous and an upstream battle while the other provides peace and a gradual growth of confidence & success.
5) Strive for Results, Rest in Progress
Whenever I miss the mark, which I’m certain there will be plenty of (and I’ll be sure to share that also), stop and take on a “attitude of gratitude” for where I’ve come so far. The fact that I’m pursuing a deep desire vs. sitting around thinking about it is progress and something I can take rest in! Beating myself down will only get me back to where I write from today, Getting Starting Again… Again.
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