Everybody is different and everybody goes into their workout or exercise routine with different abilities, goals, different levels of effort and different mindsets. Those mindsets and how you focus during your workout are what set a great and effective workout apart from one that is just mailed in. I see this, not only in myself, but in the participants in my classes.
I often tell the class to focus, not only on their form (that’s a given!), but to focus on this one hour, focus on the muscles we are working on at that time, think about using that muscle. At times I can see some members begin to slowly drift away. You can just see their eyes glaze over as they are going over their “to do” list for after class, what they need to get at the grocery store, what their children might be doing at school or in the childcare of the gym, the list goes on. I try to distract them from those thoughts and get them back to class and their mindset on what they are doing at that moment. When your head is in the game, and you are focused on how you are using your body, you make your workouts count, your metabolism fires and that’s what you want.
Of course, focusing on form is incredibly important. Correct form prevents injury and ensures that your muscles are working optimally in that movement. However, there is no way you can keep that correct form and correctly engage the appropriate muscles if your mind is wandering and has no idea what your body is doing. If you are one of those who gets “lost” in a class or on the Spin bike or even on your run, start today to make an effort to keep your head in your workout. Think about it like this-
This is your one opportunity of the day to show up for YOU. This is just a workout. It will end. It will not last forever. This is YOUR time, no one else’s. Make it count for YOU.
When you begin being present in your workout and keep the distractions away, you’ll find yourself actually working harder. Your moves will be more effective. You may feel exercises working several muscles at once because you are focused on your form and how your body feels. While doing squats, you not only feel your glutes doing the work, but you can also feel your core engage. You will know your abs are also working. You might discover muscles working you had no idea about!
With so very many distractions out there these days, I think it’s even more important to find some time during the day to have time for just you – with no phones, email, texts, social media and stuff to fill your mind. Why not let your workout be the time to focus on you, your body, your form, how your body works and why you actually showed up in the first place? If you’ve made the effort to get dressed, out the door, on the bike, running trail, track, yoga mat, or fitness class, it’s your time to get the most out of it. Use your mind to train your body by keeping your mind ON you and your body.
And, lastly, if you find yourself falling into the Crazy Days of May spiral, pushing workouts on the back burner for end of the school year events, parties, outings, banquets, sport events, and the list is endless these days. . . . don’t beat yourself up. Fit in what you can, when you can, just make sure your head stays with you when you can show up! Also, know this time will pass and your schedule will get back on track. AND, with that in mind, I’m working on a REFRESH AND REBOOT PROGRAM to kick off June 1! So, while our workouts might get spottier or shorter this time of year and our eating a little sloppy, I would love to encourage you to stay posted and check out the REFRESH AND REBOOT PROGRAM. It has worked for me and I know it’ll help get you back on track! More info to come . . . .
Where is your head during your workout? How often do you zone out? What are your thinking about? How is your May? How many “last” events can one person attend?
Enjoy Your Day!
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