What I would like to discuss today are some things that people expect to happen and what sometimes really does.
Jan. 2 is not such a huge day in the gym
All I hear all week long leading up to New Year's Day is that "we're gonna see tons of New Year's resolution people coming in to fill the gym after the first of the year!"
Well, it has been my experience that while there are a few people joining the club to fulfill their fitness destiny at the dawn of 2009, people that have loads of weight to lose don't necessarily jump to the challenge of exercise. Think about it - if they were go-getting athletes, they wouldn't have so much weight to lose in the first place, right?
Soreness isn't always an indicator of a great workout
Here's a classic "letdown," I guess. It amazes me that someone would be disappointed because they weren't sore in the days following a workout. Would they then attempt to hurt themselves during their next training session?
Delayed onset muscle soreness has been a mystery to trainers and trainees alike since Charles Atlas was getting sand kicked in his face. Work hard in the gym, eat clean outside of it and you'll "get what you get and you don't get upset."
An "at least I showed up" attitude counts for something
Here's some bad news: It doesn't. It is a minimalist thought process that is at the crux of the obesity problem in this country. You have to strive to succeed and attempt things just beyond your reach, each and every day of your life. Not just in the gym.
Expectations are indirectly proportionate to serenity. Walk that talk and you'll get what you get and be glad that you have it.
Darin St. George is a personal fitness coach at Gold's Gym in Natick, Mass. Visit his Web site at www.TrainerX.com.
