This week represents the end of summer in functional terms, the roads are busy as everyone is back at school and most people have taken their summer holidays. This means we have started the third natural fitness drive of the year – The run in to Christmas (New Year Resolutions and pre-summer focus being the other fitness drives). So if you are about to make an effort, what are the best steps to take?? For me it would be something along the lines of:

Make A Move With Food – If you follow any of the people famous for their bodies whenever they “get back on it” they almost always start by planning out their food. This goes against what most people do which is head to the gym. So make a commitment in the area of food (or drink).

You can do this by trying a new eating regime, planning out your food for five days, eliminating a food group or trying a fasting protocol etc,

Get Some Support – Too often we try and do things all on our own when it comes to health & fitness. This greatly reduces the odds of you succeeding. As motivational creatures we will always do more when others are around. So to increase chances of getting results get other people involved.

You can do this by hiring a coach or trainer, forming a fitness focus group with your friends, joining a weight loss or exercise group or using an online club or Facebook support group.

Expand Your Exercise Options – One problem many people have with exercise consistency is how few options they have for being active. A beneficial task when you are motivated is to explore some new exercise methods. Through trial and error you will discover more options that you enjoy and therefore increase the likelihood you will do fitness during a lower motivation phase.

You can do this by picking a new exercise plan to follow, experimenting with classes you haven’t done before or trying a new sport.

Focus On The Long Game – I always bring up with my clients the question of; ‘On what timescale are you judging your results?’ Most people are judging it from 1, 2 or 3 months from the first day. Personally, I am judging things five years down the line. This is how official medical studies evaluate weight loss success. Taking a long time scale approach really changes the focus. You start looking at the person on the plan and not the plan itself. You are more patient, sensible and effective with your planning.

You can do this by focusing on your goals and then deciding (accepting)  it will take 12 months to get there. With this patient timescale you may break it down into 3, 6 and 9 month targets. You will find these targets are much more manageable. Then think about the kind of person you would need to be to do this for a year or longer.

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Springing Into Action – You may not naturally be pumped for a new fitness drive reading this but do not worry, the way to raise your motivational levels is through action. So simply start with the lowest level of action you are open to doing. Then after doing this you will naturally find yourself prepared to do more and before long you will have found some new motivation to raise your levels.

You can do this by simply thinking about what is the lowest level of action you are prepared to do (forget what you should be doing) and then do it!!

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Need Support Getting In Shape? For support, coaching, nutrition and exercise plans wherever you are in the world read more here>>>> If looking for Personal Training Battersea please contact me. I am available for sessions in homes, private gyms or Personal Training Battersea Park. To see my locations please visit my Battersea Personal Trainer page>>

Battersea park was created in 1858. For me and many others Battersea Park is considered one of London’s most interesting Parks housing Battersea Zoo, Battersea Evolution Exhibition Centre and right next to Battersea Park Dogs & Cats Home and the iconic Battersea Power Station.