Today we are talking about Why it pays to be inefficient and the mentality of the uncommitted.
Why it pays to be inefficient and the mentality of the uncommitted
So, as you may know, I’m a fitness instructor on land and in the water. I’m also a personal trainer. I teach at a local health club and I have my own fitness business. After teaching bootcamp at a local health club recently, I read a memo posted by management to all staff that basically said “Due to the many complaints from our members that they are unable to park close to the club, please make sure you park farther away so our members can park close.” I have to tell you that my first reaction was “WTH?” (that’s “What The Heck” for those of us that prefer non-cursing exclamations :’).) My second reaction was, “Seriously? People will drive to a health club to exercise yet they complain because when they get there they have to walk 20 extra steps from their car to the gym?” Give me a break people!! Isn’t one of the first rules of getting in shape and losing weight to park far away and walk, take the stairs instead of the elevator, make two trips instead of one? You have to MOVE to IMPROVE!!
I guarantee you that those people complaining about having to walk too far will be the same people who make excuses as to why they can’t lose weight (while shoveling cheesecake in their mouth at 2:00 a.m. after just coming from the club where they drank five cosmos and two Vodka/RedBulls and now they’re complaining to their girlfriend that they don’t know why they can’t get a man or lose weight.) It can’t be THEIR fault. Sheesh! This is an uncommitted person who has a gym membership just so they can tell you that they workout and feel better about themselves. Feeling better about yourself is why I got into this business . . . Just don’t lie to do it. It’s a false sense of well-being.
I would even go so far as to bet you $20 that you could guess the difference of who works out hard and thinks they do but reads a magazine while they “workout” on the elliptical trainer by finding out who complained about having to park far and who chose to park far away so they could get more exercise. Again, commitment and understanding of the health and fitness process.
Why it pays to be inefficient and the mentality of the uncommitted
In the world of weight loss and fitness – being inefficient is sometimes beneficial. I know it sounds contradictory but think about it. You have to burn more calories than you ingest to lose weight. To burn calories you have to move. The higher the intensity level of your movement, the more calories you burn in a shorter amount of time. So, be inefficient – do you need to go to the kitchen to get a couple of things? Break it up into to two trips even if you can do it in one. Do you need to go to the copy machine, get a drink of water and go to the bathroom? Make three trips instead of one. Do you work in a building with stairs and an elevator? You know what I’m going to say right? Take the stairs!! Being inefficient like this can easily double your activity level; You’ll be burning calories without even trying.
Now just think if you were trying to burn calories. While you’re on the treadmill or the elliptical or the bike, do intervals instead of “steady state” or even worse, the “fat burning” zone level. The higher the intensity levels during your workout, the more calories you will burn in a shorter amount of time. The after burn will last longer as well, so you will burn more calories longer after you are done with your work out. That’s the efficient side of working out. :’).
So, are you the type that complains because you have to walk a little bit farther to go to the gym or are you the type that takes every opportunity to exercise by parking farther away and walking or by taking the stairs? Once you commit to being fit and healthy, then it’s a no brainer. Make your choice and “Let’s Get FIIT!”
If you need help, email me and I’d be happy to help get you FIIT.
This concludes Why it pays to be inefficient and the mentality of the uncommitted.
