Support for your fitness goals

Hello, Some of the toughest barriers you may encounter when you are working towards your fitness goals is lack of support from those around you. Below I will talk about some obstacles you may encounter and offer some steps and hints that hopefully will get the needed support you want. I have picked some of the most common arguments I get from my Personal Training business to show you how I answer to them.

Dilemma: Your spouse thinks you are trying to get fit to leave them or test the waters (You would not believe how many times I hear this one).
Response: You should reassure your spouse that rather then testing the waters you are assuring that you will be around for a long time and that you care about them enough to make a change to make that possible. That you are making yourself into a healthy person that can keep up with them (even if you feel they are of shape) to have the best possible life. Try to get them to do a few workout moves with you like partner push ups, medicine ball twists, etc. Your goal here is to make them feel good about your efforts while drawing them in to the benefits. With the right coaxing you will snag them into your fitness web. I caution you to not give the answer that you are doing this for them. Don't ever ever forget that you are doing this for YOU!

Dilemma: Your friends and everyone around you think you are perfect just the way you are.
Response: Tell everyone that you truly appreciate that but you are not changing the old you. Your personality will still be the same - except now your body will be able to do more. You may look better but that is just an added benefit of why you are doing this.

Dilemma: Your friends miss the old you. They miss a night of ice cream and sorrow stories with you.
Response: Let them know that they still can have those days with you but you might just eat frozen yogurt instead. Your mind and compassion hasn't changed just your fitness level. Let your friends know how great exercise has been to your well being. Offer to exercise with them and THEN grab that ice cream. Better yet - go for a long walk with that ice cream cone around your neighborhood with them in tow.

Dilemma: Your spouse is suspicious of your gym time.
Response: Invite your spouse to join you. Even if exercise isn't their thing. All gyms offer some sort of free pass to potential members. Show them your workout - your dedication - and show them how great you feel afterwards. Tell them how great you would feel if you could workout with them and them alone. Make them feel special and wanted. For example one of the gyms I work at offers boxing instruction. Not cardio boxing but true boxing instruction. Other gyms offer martial arts training. Maybe this is the hook you need to get your spouse wanting to go with you to the gym. Most gyms have pools as well. Sweeten the experience with your spouse by telling them you both can relax in the jacuzzi after working out. Make it your own private time together.

Dilemma: Your friends tell you that the effort you are putting into your fitness goals is not working and it is a waste of time.
Response: Accept their judgement. And prove them wrong with every clothes size you go down. Never be in their face - let the results talk for you. Before long I can guarantee you (based on past experience) that they will be coming to you for help with their fitness goals.

Dilemma: Your friends and/or spouse tells you that they miss the old you.
Response: Reassure them that you still have the same personality and mind. All they miss is the unhealthy you.

Dilemma: You miss being one of the crowd.
Response: Do not give up. The more fit you get the more opportunities you have to cheat once in a while. Do not be one of the crowd anymore be the leader.

As always - I am available for personal training either in person (if in NJ) or over the web. If you feel you have stalled in your pursuit of fitness and need some expert knowledge to get you on track reach out to me.

Regards,

Eddie Camaroto CPT