It’s always exciting starting up a fitness program. You often have great goals and a reason to get going. Energy and interest are high, and there are lots of new things to learn and do.
In the beginning it’s full of lots of wins and novelty. You learn many new movements, continually practice and improve skills, meet some great people, and everywhere you turn is a new personal record.
Over time personal records and bright shiny objects come less and less, and this is expected. Your body adapts, and you start to learn where some of your personal limitations and thresholds are. Most of us can’t just add 10# every week to our Deadlift and get to 1,000lbs. It’s just science.
The important thing to learn here is that progress isn’t always linear. Just because everything isn’t going up doesn’t mean you’re not moving forward. What you’re doing doesn’t need to be changed, it just may need a more specific focus based on where you are currently.
As a part of our gym membership all members have the ability to do an Athlete Check-in with a coach every 90 days. In an Athlete Check-in we talk about recent wins, any current challenges, update goals or focuses, and give best recommendations to get there.
Last week I did 4 Athlete Check-ins with members and talking points were everything from feeling better than ever, to losing a few more lbs, to unexpected life changes throwing off a consistent routine.
These members have attended anywhere from less than 100 classes to over 1,700 classes, and the overall theme was similar. They have different stages they are going through, inside and outside the gym, with certain times going better than others. Simply taking the time to look back at recent accomplishments and setting updated current focuses has a profound impact on your progress. Nothing ever goes perfectly, but analyzing and adjusting is the real way to win long term.
Regardless if you’re in the gym or not, it’s important to check in or at least take a personal diagnostic every 90-180 days. Assess what has been accomplished, what are the current challenges, and where your current focuses should be.
Health and fitness is a journey and will have multiple ups and downs, just like in life. Instead of expecting it to be perfect, find a way to embrace and appreciate the process. Progress may not always be linear, but there are ways to keep it continually moving forward.