When I initially obtained my personal training qualifications, I was convinced that through my enthusiasm, I could inspire anyone to exercise. No matter how de-motivated, tired, pessimistic or down that person was, there was no challenge too great. With so many benefits to exercising, there is no argument not to exercise. I was going to conquer the world!
I bet there are people twice my age reading this thinking “Ah, a case of the young man’s mentality”. You know what, I couldn’t agree more. Whilst this was certainly an ambitious approach to the fitness profession, this was also a very naive view of the world. I have since learned that this is not possible.
Well, I guess that one primary reason why I formed this view is because I was so inactive in my high school years. I truly hated running and gymnastics. Whilst I didn’t mind team sport and loved playing tennis and squash, I was certainly not known for my sporting ability. So, having been relatively sedentary, to now becoming a very regular exerciser and fitness professional, I was under the impression that anyone else could undergo the same transformation.
And sure, anyone else could undergo the same transformation. I’m not specially gifted physically…that’s for sure! But here’s the key:
Not everyone wants to change their lifestyle.
I think back to my high school years. I was out of shape, suffered from poor asthma, had low self-esteem and poor body-image. Sure, I wanted to look great, but I didn’t want to change my lifestyle. I couldn’t be bothered exercising. I knew it was good for me…but I would have preferred to play computer games!
So, having been in the fitness industry for many years now, I am very aware that some people just do not want to change their life. And I respect that – after all, it’s their life!
Ultimately, someone may be so out of shape that they need to exercise for health reasons. I personally know a select number of people who fit in this category and I’m sure you do too. Of course, you may need to sit down and have a discussion with that person, outlining the profound benefits of exercising for health and well-being. You can ask them to obtain a professionals opinion (whether that be fitness or medical). But at the end of the day, if they don’t want to exercise, they won’t. No matter how hard you try, until they truly want to make a change in their life, they will be unable to do so.
You can support, help motivate, inspire and educate someone, but the reality is that motivation comes from the inside.
I often am often asked by my personal training clients if I can assist a loved one to lose weight. The truth is that a fitness professional is a coach. A coach cannot do the work for that person. Whilst we can make exercise more enjoyable, safer, structured and more effective, the underlying truth remains that if that person does not want to invest the time and effort into themselves, they will not.
After reviewing this post, it seems quite dull actually, especially considering that I am often an optimist. It is however important to understand that whilst the world would be a much better place if everyone was fit and healthy, the reality is that this is not the case.
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