Tag / cross training

by susanmcrae75

Loneliness and Boredom

Man, working out can be boring.  You start all gung ho about it…I can do this on my own!  And….then you get bored.  And lonely.  For me, that is about 2 weeks in.  I’m not saying you have to join a team.  I’m not saying you can’t work out on your own.  But the support that someone else can give you can be priceless, and mean the difference between continuing on your path and giving it up (again and again for some…may or may not be referring to myself….)

How do you get this?

  1.  Yes, join that team!  If that is what you thrive on, what you enjoy-the group-then realize that you draw energy that and find a group to join!  This can be a class as well-you get the point
  2.  Schedule to workout with a buddy.  This keeps you accountable, it keeps you talking, it is fun!  One key word here is schedule-make it, keep it.
  3.   If you are a solo goal seeker-find support online!  My online accountability is awesome.  It is what keeps me going.  I support and allow myself to be supported!
  4.   Get a coach!  One that is present physically, or one who will support you remotely!

Another thing to prevent boredom is to switch it up.  And, if you read my post about injury, this can help prevent that as well!!  But, you have to have a plan!  When you are coached, the coach has a workout planned out.  Sometimes a week’s worth.  Whether it be running/walking/jogging, throwing in 10 jumping jacks every 5 min, 10 squats at every corner, whatever-come up with a plan before you start.  Otherwise-boooooring.  So that is for each workout, but also for each week.  That way, nothing is left to chance-like the chance you will talk yourself out of doing it, lol!

Not that creative?  There are programs out there that take the thinking out of it-you just press play.  There is accountability online.  You just have to reach out and then lean in.

Now go!  This is a perfect time in this crazy time.  Stay healthy!

 

 

by susanmcrae75

Whack a Mole

I bet this one confuses many and that makes me chuckle.  So let me explain!  I see many, many athletic injuries from overuse.  People do the same thing over, and over and you get the picture.  An even bigger problem?  Overuse of a bad technique.  A colleague of mine would tell his patients “practice doesn’t make perfect…perfect practice makes perfect.”  I love that.  So, a few ideas about this…

  1.  Get someone who IS an expert to watch you and advise you.  Therapist, coach, a really good player/swimmer/runner etc-and have them film you in slow motion if possible.  I’ve even advised some of my patients to film themselves, then go on that fabulous thing called Google and search the best in the sport.  Compare.  Practice perfectly.
  2.   The body gets used to things pretty quickly and likes to coast.  Weaker muscles may get lazy, weaker.  Hence my whack a mole reference.  Keep it guessing.  Many runners’ injuries I see are because they do not train side to side, up and down, inside out….they are just very linear.  Cross training does not take you away from your sport/activity-it may prolong the time you are able to do it as well as improve your form and power while doing it.  And, of course, it can reduce your possibility of injury.  The program I am doing right now for example is different everyday:  core, upper body, lower body, total body, cardio, stretching/yoga-results are less strain on all these parts that are getting older (and we all are) and better overall fitness (which is my own personal goal).
  3. Don’t be afraid to try new things.  Yes, I know you may “love” that one activity, but are you doing more harm than good?  Are you going to get bored and stop doing it, losing your progress towards your goals?  Would it be less boring if you had different options?

Keep the balance.  This is with all things: life, work, exercise, sport.  And have fun-like playing whack a mole!  😉