I have quite a few friends and followers on social media who are in various stages in their fitness journey. What’s really fun to watch is the progression.
- Stage 1 – I really need to get back to the gym. How often do those of us who are regular gym-goers (or other types of fitness folks) hear this? If you post something about going to the gym on social, invariably there’s at least one who says “I need to get back to the gym. I used to…” This is also common when I see people who haven’t seen me in a while. It starts with “Wow, you look good! You’re in really good shape.” and then ends with that same statement. Help them by inviting them to join you for a workout, and have you both put it on your calendar.
- Stage 2 – The sporadic. There are two groups of people at this stage. In one group, their life circumstances have changed, and they can’t quite seem to figure out how to get it done. Some of these will revert to Stage 1, others will move forward. The other group has decided on a goal, and is trying to figure out how to fit it in their lives regularly, but in the meantime, they’re getting it in where they feel they can. Some people pass this stage and go right to stage 3. Help these folks by talking about how you fit exercise into your schedule.
- Stage 3 – Wow, this is hard. These folks are going to the gym or getting exercise on a regular basis, and discovering that they have to work! They’re coming out exhausted and sweaty, and they’re often painfully sore the next day. Their social media posts read like “That whipped my butt.” “My arms are toast from those push-ups.” Encourage these folks to keep it up until they see results!
- Stage 4 – Look at me! It’s exciting to see results, whether it’s weight loss, muscle gain, more definition, whatever you’re after. These folks check in every time they hit the gym. They post selfies and workout pictures, and sometimes before and afters. Celebrate with them! They’re doing something cool.
- Stage 5 – This is who I am. There are folks who bail out at every stage in this progression, or who never manage to get anywhere. But after a while, you get to a place where your gym habits are part of who you are. You like going to the gym and being fit. You don’t have to tell people about it, because they already know it’s something you do, or they simply see it in your body and lifestyle. You also start to really love it.
No matter what stage you’re in, or what stage you see people in, encourage them! Anyone who is trying to better themselves deserves some help in the right direction.