AN IMPORTANT REMINDER!!!! (reposted)
People are already mentioning their anticipation of “resolutioners” crowding their gyms after the new year.
Sigh.
There must be something I am missing, likely because I only go to a large gym to swim, and teach at a small studio – the crowding tends not to affect me. (Is that all it is? People using the equipment/machines you want to use?)
But why all the grumbling, and meanness, toward someone who is only trying to get healthier? Someone who could potentially be a new friend? Someone you could potentially help out, and in turn, help them stick to their fitness goals?
Don’t dread the “resolutioners”!
I wrote about this two years ago, and I still feel the same way:
For the entire year, but especially January:
To all the friends/family/acquaintances/strangers you see beginning or restarting their fitness journey – BE ENCOURAGING. BE KIND. BE PATIENT.
People succeed when they’re part of a supportive group of people sharing a similar goal (in this case, becoming healthier). Be part of that group for them. It’s hard enough to be consistent with a fitness routine. Don’t make it more intimidating for beginners.
If you’re working out for the first time, starting up again, or trying to ramp intensity up – BE ENCOURAGING, BE KIND, BE PATIENT – with yourself.
It will be hard at first. Know that with consistency, it becomes easier. Don’t dwell on what you could do in the past. Life is static and we change. How boring would life be if we didn’t have continual hiccups giving us an opportunity to demonstrate our resilience?!
You can see the rest of that post, here!
Themocracy
Well I definitely echo my comment from the original post, especially wrt how welcoming you are as a teacher 🙂
It would be nice if it was just having to wait longer for equipment was what bothered people about “resolutioners” but I feel like it’s more judgmental than that. Like I’ve been working out all year and know what I’m doing and you’re just now starting up because of a holiday, and you’ll probably give up soon, all of which somehow makes me better than you. I could be projecting how I felt when I was just starting to work out though.
Thanks 🙂
I was wondering if that was part of it, which was why I asked. It’s a shame 🙁