The habit of delaying something is easy; it’s a matter of choice. We tend to put it off because let’s face it, plain old laziness. “Ahhhh, I don’t want to deal with it right now. I’ll just do it tomorrow.” It’s a decision based on convenience. You’re tired, too relaxed, too full. However, if the matter was urgent, let’s say your car was leaking fluid, so now you WILL make the effort (go to a mechanic or call AAA) to stop the leak. But the point is, you MAKE time because the matter is urgent and important. Don’t have a car = can’t go to work, can’t pick up the kids, etc.
As trainers, we hear this a lot. I mean A LOT. “Don’t worry Kei, I’ll do it tomorrow.” Back in my mind I’m like uh-huh, but I usually don’t say anything. Staying active and being in shape is a option. Some people take advantage of it, others don’t. It’s just that simple. If there were immediate consequences of not exercising, then it may force people to be active. For example, let’s say if you don’t exercise today you will gain 10-lbs. Sounds ridiculous? But if the consequence was significant, then people will find a way to do it. That’s why there’s penalties on late payments. Detention in schools for misbehaving (hated those, staying late after school and writing sentences…..sucked). Because there are no immediate consequences of not exercising, it’s easy to push it back.
“I don’t feel like working out today, I’ll go tomorrow.” Now don’t get me wrong, I am guilty of saying this too. If you keep letting it happen, then guess what, it becomes a habit. That tomorrow becomes 3 months, 6 months, a year, and so forth. I have witnessed it many times in my days working at a commercial gym. Going back to when I worked at a commercial gym, there was a way for personal trainers to keep tabs on members using their unique log-in to make sure they were using the gym. I saw that people were not going to the gym since I last spoke with them, nowhere to be found but still paying monthly membership. There were times where this would go on for years and money being wasted. I was always curious why people would let it go for so long. Why not just cancel the membership? Then, I realized that the consequence (monthly gym charge) wasn’t significant enough for people to cancel it. Maybe in their mind, they will use it one day and it’ll justify keeping it.
And that’s the thing about fitness, you have ups and down. There may be a wedding you need to attend and you want to look your best. That’s fine, but what’s going to happen after the wedding? Gain all the weight back and let loose? That’s what you have to realize and stay motivated. If you don’t have a event or “that” particular thing to keep you motivated, then the struggle of whether to exercise is going to be a daily battle. It’s easy to quit and get off track. So next time you say “I’ll just do it tomorrow,” are you REALLY going to do it tomorrow, or is the matter important enough to do it today. Stay focused ladies and gentlemen! Hope you enjoyed this week’s blog, stay tuned for more next week!…………………….Kei
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