The present health situation around the globe is unprecedented. There’s really no instruction manual on how to handle this. Let’s look at how you can make these 3 words work for you in the current state we find ourselves in.
In January, we looked at building long-lasting changes; in February, we took a look at self-love and went up close and personal with what habits are; In March we looked at building on your newly formed positive habits and work towards your body goal. This month, we build on all of this learning and look at how to adjust to home-based training and staying committed to your goals and newly formed habits.
Famously uttered by Clint Eastwood in Heartbreak Ridge, Improvise. Adapt. Overcome. is well known to be the unofficial slogan of the US Marines and often regarded as a powerful framework to success (source). The present health situation around the globe is unprecedented. There’s really no instruction manual on how to handle this. Let’s build on what you’ve worked on since January and look at how you can make these 3 words work for you in the current state we find ourselves in.
Stage 1: It’s Time to Take Time
Ever felt like the White Rabbit in Alice in Wonderland? Always late or rushing around? This was familiar to many of us before the current “confinement”. So, let’s take a break from what’s out of our control for a second and focus instead on what’s within our control – our time.
Time management and carving time for yourself is often challenging in any situation; it’s now made even more of a challenge by the current circumstances. Given the measures being put in place by governments around the world to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, many of us are adjusting to a new reality and are having or looking to put new routines in place. With having or being encouraged to “work from home”, we at Blue Tiger Eye Wellness are encouraging you to “Work out from Home” and we have some ideas to help with this.
Stage 2: Improvise
For many of us, the idea of working or working out at home is new. Being at home means dealing with a number of things that aren’t typical features of an office setting – kids, housemates, pets, noisy neighbours… the list goes on and many videos are circulating depicting just what can happen behind you while in an interview or serious video meetings. Furthermore, not being able to go to the gym, or for your regular run or bike ride, poses a challenge as to how to maintain physical fitness. The good news is that it is often when faced with a challenge that innovative thinking kicks in. History shows that some of the most impactful discoveries have emerged in the darkest of times. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s see how to get creative while at home.
Your name might not be Einstein, but fear not, numerous videos have cropped up online of people using all manner of household items to help with their training. From different sizes of water bottles as weights for arm and shoulder exercises, to couches for leg presses, to tissue paper rolls (yes you read that right) for a variety of ab routines. There’s no limit to what you can do from your home in order to stay in shape. Many of us already had fairly sedentary lives before the confinement; and now that we are working from home, even more so. So, don’t let staying at home stop you. IMPROVISE!
Stage 3: Adapt
We “go to the gym” not just to train our bodies, but more so to train our minds. The benefits of physical training are also mental and psychological. Anyone who has been consistent with their routine can tell you that beyond physical fitness and strength, physical training has a far-reaching impact on energy levels, work ethic, time management and many other facets of our daily life. Being confined to one’s home can make the decision and commitment to train harder than usual for many of us as it’s not the typical space we train in.
Changes need to be made and it starts by assigning a time of day to train that suits you best in this “new normal” we find ourselves in. We know change is uncomfortable. Accepting this is part of the challenge will help change be permanent. So, don’t let the current situation become the reason you can’t work out; rather make it work for you. Setting aside time to train just as you would normally do to go to the gym or attend your favorite class is essential to setting and maintaining a consistent routine. However, different from a gym or class setting, you won’t have someone to spot you when something is heavy, correct you if your form is wrong, or motivate you when you’re tired and you need that extra cheer to finish that spinning class; so a lot will have to come from within you.
This is going to take work. Understand that it isn’t easy and as such, don’t be too hard on yourself if you fall off the wagon along the way. Forming new healthy and long-lasting habits is not done over the course of a day. It takes patience, intent and commitment, to yourself, first and foremost. As the saying goes, if at first you don’t succeed, dust yourself off and try again. If building a great physique and staying in shape were easy…you can finish this sentence, right? The bottom line is, you need to adjust your current circumstances to achieve what you want, similar to what is done in terms of how we work. ADAPT.
Stage 4: Overcome
Achieving a goal will motivate you to carry on. That’s how the human mind is wired. So as much as you have a 12-week, 6-month or one-year goal, break that down in manageable pieces: start with your first week and picture what that looks like. Anything great is the outcome of small actions. Just get through your first session, then your second and you will be surprised how this snowballs. Before you know it, you may find that you enjoy this a lot and look forward to your solo sessions. Just start with one; challenge yourself and get outside what can easily become a “comfort zone” mindset. But you just must start. OVERCOME.
Finally, Staying Committed
You may be asking yourself, “Where do I start?”. Committing to a consistent action plan that will target key areas of weakness and which you can integrate into your life and lifestyle is the place to start. It takes time so be patient and find what works for you, plan and commit. It always helps to get guidance from a professional. Now that movement is limited and access to public gyms restricted if gyms have not been shut down, this is challenging for many. This is the original premise of Blue Tiger Eye Wellness: to bring personal trainers to you through technology.
The best part about working with an actual trainer is that they will not only guide you through this and tailor workouts to suit you and your goals, but they will also help with the hardest part – staying committed. Your trainer does what an app alone cannot – they listen, they help you adapt, overcome and stay committed. The benefits of working with a trainer cannot be extolled enough. Even professional athletes have trainers! They need the guidance, they need the motivation, they need the advice. It is easier to stay committed to something when you’re accountable to someone other than yourself.
It is also easier to stay committed to something that you enjoy. Working with a trainer can make the journey more enjoyable as you will be interacting with a real person and not watching a repetitive routine over and over or not finding something that truly brings you your desired results; And no, you cannot pause, fast forward, skip or press snooze on your trainer. Your training plan will stay fresh as your trainer will keep modifying your sessions so that you stay engaged and keep hitting different parts of your body towards achieving your goal.
However, no matter how good your trainer and/or programme are, at the end of the day, the one person that can cause change in you, is IN you. Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep reminding yourself of what you want out of this. If something is important enough to you, you will find a way; if not, you will find an excuse.
Go on and challenge yourself.
Start today. We are here to help.
