I can’t tell you how many people have a Planet Fitness membership….and don’t use it. Why? We all know why. Because it’s $10/month and one might as well keep paying it. Hey, at least I have a gym membership that one day I may use…when the time is right…maybe…but it makes me feel better that I can tell people (or myself) I have a gym membership…so I’ll keep paying the $10 a month.
But this isn’t about Planet Fitness. In fact, many of us do the same thing but spend even more money on a personal trainer or a nutritionist or Crossfit classes or the new in home exercise tool. And since we spend more money we feel even better about ourselves. But we don’t utilize the very thing that we spend all that money on. And then we complain about how hard the workout looks or that the tool isn’t working or that the scale hasn’t shifted.
Yesterday I was coaching a class and as we were about to start the day I said, “Today, stretch yourself just a little bit. I’m not asking for PRs or 100%. I’m just asking that you stretch yourself a little bit beyond where you tend to push.” And let me tell you, what transpired in that class was nothing short of inspirational. In fact there were PRs and healthy competition and conversations afterwards that went something like, “I saw you going just a little bit harder and it pushed me to go a little bit harder!”
This week I read this from a gym owner, Mike Perry:
It truly comes down to effort and priorities. If you want results, you’re gonna have to train hard and put in the work. If your training sessions are always easy, they are probably a waste of time. If something is truly a priority in your life, you will do something about it. If it’s not, just say to yourself “ it’s not a priority” and move on. A little ownership goes a long way.
If getting stronger or showing up to the gym or being healthier is a priority, then make it that. If it’s not than acknowledge that (and it’s ok!) and move on.
What’s your priority?