Motivation

I am finally getting to start back working out and a month off means I’ve lost a lot of strength. For me, that is a motivator. Ask anyone that knows me well and they will tell you I’m overly competitive. I like to work out like I have a chance at some imaginary sports career. Yes, I understand I’m 45 and have no hope of being an athlete. But, I’m a Type-A personality, so goals and being #1 are a huge motivator for me.

It’s probably a good thing neither of my children got into sports in any serious way. I would have pushed way too hard for them to be the best.  Not the best look for a parent. This personality disorder has meant I also have a hard time understanding why others don’t want to be as serious as I do about whatever sport I’m into.

When I started playing golf, I played every weekend. I walked the course because pro’s did. I played when it was 100 degrees out. I admit, I hate cold weather so I did stop during the winter. It was fun but frustrating to me. Not because of the game itself, but because I could not improve. I could hit a ball straight as an arrow, but not very far. I could putt fairly well, but not chip. Golf is not a sport you can improve at without lessons and it was just too expensive. So, golf went by the wayside after a few years.

Weight lifting is a sport you can get further on by researching things yourself. I’ve enjoyed trying new programs and learning the technical aspects of lifts. But the commercial gym I was at frustrated me. Not because they were not nice, but because the other people were not serious. No one was pushing themselves or thought I should. Why even show up if you just want to walk around and talk/flirt between doing a few lame exercises. What is the point of being on the treadmill just walk at a snails pace because you are talking on the phone and don’t want to be out of breath. Not to mention the people that came just to tan and took up limited parking spaces.

After finding a gym where people workout to the point of puking and think that is great, I am in my element. I want someone to call me a sissy for not pushing the prowler with more weight. They mean well and want to help me work harder. They appreciate my hard work and want me to do the same. No excuses and No slacking off. Just hard work and fun.

However, I am also learning that environment is not for everyone. The commercial gym can provide a service just a valuable. For many, there is a transition period between sitting on the couch and going all out. There needs to be a transition place. Maybe that person on the treadmill, talking on the phone, will progress to walking faster and finally running. With encouragement, people can move forward.

So there is room for everyone and not all people are competitive and driven by competition. I read a great article by someone else that learned this in his personnel training career. You can find it HERE.  Even if you are not Type-A like me, it’s a good look at how trainers think and what you can find out there. Give it a read.