After working years in social care I knew that I could transfer my skills into fitness coaching. One thing that led me into social care in the first place was the ability to have empathy. From being a kid I was labelled a ‘thinker’ by my teachers. I thought about stuff and, yeah, sometimes this led to anxieties I still have to this day but it also gave me an insight into other people’s thoughts.
The poverty in Africa, the Russia and Ukraine issues, the Afghans climbing onto the wheels of the plane as it set off, Covid, Brexit, the energy crisis, the little girl in Bradford who was murdered by her parents, the young man that I supported who would repeatedly hit his head as he entered another seizure, all seem to occupy my thoughts regularly.
Will they get a meal today? How desperate must one be to cling onto an aeroplane in mid take off? I wonder if that young man is still alive?
I’m not a worrier. There’s a difference between being a worrier and a thinker. I think about small ways in which I can help. I know that I can’t change the world, but maybe I can make someone smile or feel better about themselves. Just like when I was in social care, if I could be a Personal Trainer for free I would be. I genuinely love my job because I see people improving their lives. Even in my days as restaurant manager I had to be front of house to see a customer take their first bite of something delicious and a part of why we wanted an open kitchen is to experience the customer’s enjoyment at being in our restaurant. Getting paid is good. Providing a service that brings a smile to someone is priceless.
I’m having quite a lot of thinking time at the moment. I’m halfway through an isolation period due to testing positive for Covid. And my wife and two children are too. Thinking whether to get changed into regular clothes on a morning. Thinking if the boys should do their spellings today or not. Thinking about keeping my glasses on or putting my contact lenses in. Pretty big deals when you can’t leave the house I’m sure you’d agree!
But there’s another big thought. I was following my training program along with a calorie controlled nutrition plan since the beginning of the year. Where does this put my training regime? I can’t get to the gym and although I have a few bits of equipment at home I have nowhere near the weights that I were reaching in the gym. So I’m fine with waiting a week to resume my training. But what about my diet?
The qualities of empathy and the ability to put myself in somebody else’s shoes means that I would never be an Insta PT. I’d much rather put a picture of me holding up a pint of beer than one of me topless and flexing. I made a good support worker because I felt the pain and the anger of a young man with a brain injury. It could have been me. I make a good PT because I have all the same issues that the gym members do. The Insecurities. Am I too fat or too thin? Does this shirt still fit me? Should I eat this doughnut?
Ah yes. The doughnuts. All 3 of them.
I’ve just had 3 of the sugary balls of loveliness. In real life, I don’t even like sweet stuff. In isolation…get in my belly!
My nutrition plan has taken an unexpected turn. I’m fairly relaxed with my eating aiming at 80% high nutrition with 20% of ‘fun food’. But this week I’m probably at around 60/40. I’m realistic, which is another good PT trait. I know I’ll get back to my usual focused self once I’m set free again.
My message to myself and anyone else who feels like eating three doughnuts if they want to is do it! That doesn’t mean doing it again and again, creating unwanted habits. But if you feel a bit shit, then get it out of your system. We’re not super human. We have feelings. We’re not robots. A big doughnut hug is fine now and again.
Not allowing yourself moments of Time Out will be detrimental to your overall goals. Ok, so my macro’s are pretty crappy this week. So what? It will have absolutely no effects to my overall health, wellbeing, hypertrophy and strength goals in the long term. They were great doughnuts, but my long term goals are too precious to ever want to repeat that any time soon. I train people exercise regime’s, rep ranges and movement, but I also train people how to find their precious goals. For somebody to truly progress in their health and fitness journey, they need to find that precious thing that is far too valuable to give up. And no lockdown, isolation, illness or doughnut will ever ruin it.
Never Give Up PT 