Personal fitness lessons from the Olympics
If you're like many Brits, you'll probably spend a lot of time on the couch this summer watching other people sweat it out on television. We're a sports-crazed nation, but one that clearly prefers to spectate rather than participate. A large proportion of Brits are overweight and out of shape, however if you watch closely, there are some lessons to be learned from all that time in front of the T.V this summer- ones that might enlighten, inspire or motivate even the most diehard couch potatoes:
1. First off, a reality check: There's no magic bullet for fitness.
Top athletes may be biologically gifted, but they don't get where they are by relying on their genes alone. Athletes train hard and regularly."People sometimes think that fitness just happens," says Sean Salinger a Personal Trainer and an Altrincham Bootcamp Fitness Instructor at Bespoke Life. "They don't realise the work that goes into it."
Top athletes may be biologically gifted, but they don't get where they are by relying on their genes alone. Athletes train hard and regularly."People sometimes think that fitness just happens," says Sean Salinger a Personal Trainer and an Altrincham Bootcamp Fitness Instructor at Bespoke Life. "They don't realise the work that goes into it."
There's no magic bullet for getting in shape. "Everyone wants to know the secret of exercise and diet, and the only secret there is, in my opinion, is consistency," says Sean.
2. But you don't have to work that hard.
Yes, athletes train intensely and they have the coaches and well-equipped facilities to help them do so. But you don't need to work out several hours a day in a fancy gym to be healthy and fit.
To keep your heart healthy, experts recommend aiming for half an hour of physical activity on most days of the week. That could mean 30 minutes jog round the local park, a bike ride, playing football, or mowing the lawn. And the half hour doesn't have to be all at once; it could be divided up into three 10-minute bouts of activity.
You may need to work harder if you want to get bikini-fit for swimsuit season, but just half an hour a day can go a long way toward keeping you healthy."You don't have to kill yourself with exercise," says Sean. "You don't have to be an Olympic athlete to lose 10 pounds. iIt doesn't have to be painful – it can be fun!"
3. It helps to focus on a goal.
Athletes keep their eye on the prize, whether it's qualifying for the Olympics or winning the gold. This helps them stay focused and motivated.
Athletes keep their eye on the prize, whether it's qualifying for the Olympics or winning the gold. This helps them stay focused and motivated.
“Setting goals can help you, too, just make sure you set realistic, achievable goals so that you don't become overwhelmed. Many exercisers make the mistake of setting their short-term goals too high, which sets them up for failure” says Sean, “and keep in mind that even athletes who get a lot of fame and fortune from physical activity still have days when they don't feel much like moving or don't want to commit time to it”.
If you're having trouble staying committed to a fitness regime, consider going to a group fitness class like Zumba , Boxercise or Bootcamp or hiring a trainer to keep you accountable - just a few sessions can help get your fitness plan on the right track.
4. Patience and perseverance pay off.
Athletes don't reach the peak of their game overnight. Many spend their lives training for the Olympics. While it doesn't have to take years to get fit, the pounds don't come off and the six-pack abs don't appear overnight. Experts generally recommend losing no more than 1 to 2 pounds a week.
Athletes don't reach the peak of their game overnight. Many spend their lives training for the Olympics. While it doesn't have to take years to get fit, the pounds don't come off and the six-pack abs don't appear overnight. Experts generally recommend losing no more than 1 to 2 pounds a week.
In fact, it would be a huge mistake to watch the Olympics and then — full of inspiration and motivation — run out and try to compete like the champions. Instead, start slowly, even if it's just to walk around the park once or twice. When that feels comfortable, add a couple more circuits and so on. Easing into exercise will help you avoid injuries, keep you from getting overwhelmed and allow you to start actually enjoying the activity. "People come to one of our sessions, leave feeling great and then they start to do more," says Sean of Bespoke Life.
5. Everyone suffers setbacks.
Even elite athletes lose, get injured and doubt themselves - they're human. Keep this in mind if you fall off the fitness wagon. It's never too late to get back on, and all exercise adds up.
Even elite athletes lose, get injured and doubt themselves - they're human. Keep this in mind if you fall off the fitness wagon. It's never too late to get back on, and all exercise adds up.
6. You can do it.
Maybe you'll never see Olympic gold, or even care to, but if there's one thing you can gain from watching the games it's inspiration & motivation. “Act on the inspiration”, says Sean, “get moving & find the athlete inside of you."
Maybe you'll never see Olympic gold, or even care to, but if there's one thing you can gain from watching the games it's inspiration & motivation. “Act on the inspiration”, says Sean, “get moving & find the athlete inside of you."
