For the last 15 odd years, every day I go to the gym, I see the exact same cast of people working out — feels like seeing the same play in the same theater 🙂
Given their clockwork-like consistency, you would imagine that sticking to a workout habit is really easy, right?
And yet, many others try to build the gymming habit (especially around New Year) and then quit because it feels too hard.
How can something be hard for some people and so easy for others?
Here is the secret — building a workout habit (or any habit) is an uphill journey before it becomes downhill. Unfortunately, most people quit in the uphill part.
The first few weeks of a gym are pure torture (and a paid one at that).
But after a month or two, you feel better, stronger, and even look fitter. In 6-12 months, most reach a point where the benefits are so deeply ingrained that your brain has learned the dance — you almost start enjoying the experience.
So the question is, how does one not quit while on the uphill? That is the tricky part and you have to do it by hook or by crook.
Some people find gymming/running buddies. Others use a habit tracker or maybe, find some external motivation. In my case, I was so frustrated that my frustration itself became my motivation 😊
I am not claiming that running or gymming will ever be totally effortless. But you will like it even when it hurts.
Don’t quit while on the uphill. Everything in life is hard before it becomes easy.
– Rajan