It’s not starting over…it’s starting AGAIN!

I ran into a former client a few months ago and had a short conversation.

It started with a “Hey! How are you?!” by both parties.

I was genuinely excited to see them. This person was a member for over 5 years and got out of the routine during Covid. Unfortunately, hasn’t found the ability to get going again since.

We talked for probably 5 minutes or so.

Kids, work, life…you name it we covered it. It was a really good conversation.

I mentioned nothing about the gym since this wasn’t about working out – it was about talking to an old friend that I haven’t seen in a while.

Then came: “I know I need to get back to the gym…”

I would obviously love to see this person again, so I excitedly said: “You’re welcome ANYTIME!”

We chatted a bit more about the old days and how working out in general is so much different now. Older, kids, other obligations from work. The motivation isn’t there like it was before and this person said they have tried starting a few times just couldn’t quite stick it out.

Then they said something I hear so often. Not just from former clients but frequently when someone comes and sits down to discuss their gym goals:

“I feel like I’m starting over.”

Those were the exact words. I also hear it in a bunch of other ways such as:

“I’m so far gone that I don’t think I can do it again like I used to.”

Or

“I know how hard it was the first time and I just don’t have it in me to do it again.”

The reasons why each person feels this way can vary greatly but one thing stays the same.

You aren’t starting over…you’re actually starting again!

Rewind a bit back to this conversation with this former client. I acknowledged that it can feel very different each time you try to start a new program, or even an old program you’re familiar with.

A little more context. Last time this person came to me many years ago, there was a fire to be “fit” and do all the hard stuff in the gym. The mentality was that this person wanted to achieve big things and had the drive to do it.

When training was hard, this person actually enjoyed that part of it. In fact, the worse the workout looked (on paper) the more interested this client was!

Then we shut down for Covid. We had massive restrictions on how many could train each day.

We even bought a new property and spent about $30,000 to expand our equipment so our clients could safely train under the current recommendations from the government and CDC.

My former client wasn’t able to train due to work restrictions so even if they wanted to, it wasn’t going to happen. We had some communication throughout those first couple years but then it mostly faded away.

That was almost 7 years ago now. Getting out of the routine took enough of a toll that it’s also destroyed the hope that it will ever come back.

I can’t possibly put myself in their shoes and understand what that must feel like. I’ve lived in the gym my whole life and as the owner, I probably spend more time there than at home.

I can’t imagine making so much progress, only for it to be taken away without your permission. Then, being paralyzed with the thought of doing it all again under different life circumstances.

Back to the conversation. We started talking about all the things that were gained during the time training with us. Not the physical “gains” but the skills, knowledge, and understanding of training.

I then explained that:

You aren’t starting over…you’re actually starting again!

I know I said that once already, but I mean it.

This is where the meat of this blog is going to kick in and I’m probably going to bounce around a bit!

The idea doesn’t apply to just former members of our gym. Anyone who has trained in any capacity in the past has earned some things that will not go away when they quit or take a break from training.

Here’s just a short list of some of the things you’ve learned in your training career:

*Technique instruction (from someone else or self) that you haven’t forgotten.

*Knowing when something is “easy” – “moderate” – “hard” – “very hard” – or even “exhausting.”

*How to pace a workout. Is it a 5 minute sprint? 45 minute sweat? Weights circuit? Cardio intervals???

*How to use certain types of machines. Brands can vary quite a bit but the functions are usually similar.

*Reading a program or workout and following it without having to look up each exercise.

*And many more.

These are all tools you get to use RIGHT NOW to make your next training routine even more productive. It can be literally anything.

-> Walking daily?

–> Weights at home?

—> A gym membership?

—-> Hiring a personal trainer?

You already have a book of knowledge and skills that you don’t realize are there!

We tell people that if working out was a 5 step program it would look something like this:

1. Get out of bed.
2. Get some clothes on.
3. Get in your car.
4. Get to the gym.
5. Workout.

There are a number of modifications for that but if you literally GET TO THE GYM, you’re much more likely to do something productive.

Not every day has to be a personal best either!

You’ve probably heard a number of analogies that working out is like building a castle – brick by brick. Each workout, each nutritious meal, each day you go for a walk…is one more brick.

The cool thing about a castle is even if you stop building bricks – the foundation of what you have built is still there! You just have to start where you left off.

Ok, so when you DO start again – don’t set the bar too high. Your first workouts should be EASY!

Like, really easy. You should almost get done and think that you could have or should have done more. But that’s exactly what you should do.

Even doing the same workout a few days a week, a few weeks in a row, can lead to a ton of progress and confidence.

I often tell clients that the first few weeks in our gym (or any gym) isn’t about making huge changes but about learning how to move better and gain some consistency.

Once you’ve adapted then progress is inevitable if you show up and do the work.

I’m not going to get into details of what you should be doing from a workout standpoint in this conversation. What I am going to do is encourage everyone to do something…this week…to get started again.

We’ve all heard or said the phrase: “I’m not getting any younger!”

That’s why I urge you to think about what you want your life to be like in a week. A month. A year. 5 years….Things that were once easy will become harder. Spontaneous activity slows or even stops happening.

If there’s anything in your day to day life that you didn’t used to have to ask for help for, and now you do…consider that a sign to regain some of that youth.

For most people, nearly everything you used to be able to do you can likely do again. It just might look different than it used to.

Instead of chasing numbers, maybe you’re chasing something else.

The feeling of getting stronger (again). Being able to play sports (again). Going on that hike (again). Gardening (again).

I could keep going but you get the idea.

So what happened with my former client that I ran into, you ask? I haven’t seen her (yet). I know the fire that his person had will once light again. I’ve seen it burn too bright to stay out for good.

This is also an open invitation to any client or acquaintance that I’ve had in the last 11 years in York. If you want to start again in your health & fitness, our door is always open for you!

We’d be glad to talk about any obstacles life has thrown at you that’s made it hard to get going and help create a path forward.

Getting started for the first time or the 100th time can be scary. The only thing scarier is doing nothing.