What’s your why?

I was reminded the other day of a past client who I met at the tail end of last year. David came  looking for a change. Even though he was still a fairly young man, his energy levels and motivation had nosedived, and he was feeling lethargic and despondent. Also add in the fact that he had two young boys to look after and a full time job to show up in, and you can quickly see how things might become very challenging. He realised that he had to make a change somewhere, and this in itself was a massive step in the right direction. He had a compelling reason to get fit and strong. Simply put, he wanted to be a positive male role model for his two boys, which is as good a reason to get in shape as any!

He started with two personal training sessions a week, and this quickly increased to three sessions per week. His progress really accelerated from there, and now several months later he is in a much better place, both physically and mentally. This is very important when you start off in the gym or on the journey of becoming a stronger, heathier, and fitter version of yourself. You need a ‘why’, and a good one at that. You need a reason to show up for your morning personal training session or class when the rain is pelting down, and you’d rather do anything else. This will carry you through the tough times when your motivation is waning, and you’ve gone slightly off course. It could be that you want to be a positive role model for your kids, or that you want to be in great shape for an upcoming wedding or for your upcoming holidays. It could be anything – but it must be compelling.
​
Whatever your why is, discuss and share it with your trainer. It is a powerful thing when you have someone in your corner who understands your reason for training. You can work together to adjust, adapt, and overcome any short term obstacles that might hinder your progress, and instead keep you focused on the end goal. You can work towards your goals safe in the knowledge that your trainer has your best interests at heart. That is what personal training is all about.