Andy’s Nationally Published Articles :: How To Be A Fitness Witness
Inspiring people to a healthier lifestyle
By Andy Core, M.S.
As tri athletes, we are fitness zealots devoted to living an active, healthy lifestyle. We are true disciples who jump at the chance to “convert” our coworkers, spouses, friends, even the supermarket checker who eyes our basket filled with fruits and veggies. Unfortunately, when we share our beliefs, people often tense up as if we are pushing the newest pyramid scheme. This type of response has left some dejected and even a little jaded.
Don’t be discouraged. As a fitness witness by profession, my early years were tested with trial, error, dejection and rejection; ultimately, I found enlightenment. I learned that effective witnessing lies more in being a compassionate mentor than in acting as an enthusiastic cheerleader. Telling someone “You can do it” is fine, but SHOWING them new ways to think about exercise and diet is far more effective. Once I began to use this fundamental concept, my conversion rate skyrocketed. The following strategies will assist you in doing the same.
Witness Without Words
Example is powerful inspiration. Declining the Krispy Krèmes in the workplace lounge speaks louder than your best lecture. Modeling healthy practices is the key. Sooner or later, the logic behind your midmorning energy bar and your energy level will burn through their cheeseburger-induced fog.
Sometimes witnessing without words means shutting up! Tri athletes are notorious for talking about how fat or unfit they are. This is the fastest way to lose credibility. Non-believers will roll their eyes, discounting anything else you have to say. If you want to talk about your love handles, do it with other tri athletes
Connect
When the door to discussion opens, realize that non-believers are looking to disqualify you as someone who was born with the metabolism of a hummingbird and the discipline of a drill sergeant. Share that you fought and are still fighting the same demons they face. Tell them that staying healthy and fit is difficult, even for YOU. But be careful, sharing the blow by blow of your latest “EPIC” workout can motivate people to run – away from you. Instead, share what motivated you to START exercising, how you battle with discipline, and, most importantly, how you overcame the problems of time, travel, and temptation. Only when the “unfit” realize you are both from the same planet will they accept your help.
Changing Their Body Starts With Changing Their Brain
The average couch-dweller is bombarded with testimonials from celebrity fitness “experts”, miraculous fat melting diets, and countless Ab Dazzlers. When the non-believers get desperate enough, they may attempt to get into shape. Typically, however, their fitness programs and expectations are based on spin, not science. People need an honest look at what it takes to make fitness a permanent gig, what they can expect, and when and why anyone would get up at 5 a.m. to jump in a frigid pool in their underwear. This step, called cognitive restructuring, requires shedding inaccurate beliefs and unrealistic goals. This can be done in two ways.
Changing Associations
Recent research indicates that long-term exercisers and fitness-heathens have very different associations with exercise. In the June, 2000, issue of Tri athlete, Mitch Thrower’s description of exercise as “recess” is a perfect illustration of how the fitness faithful view exercise. On the other hand, non-believers associate exercise with drudgery. A great first step to changing this association is to shift the non-believers’ mind set from appearance to health. Explain that while triathlon is your hobby, you make time for exercise because it helps you feel better, be sick less often, have more energy, and better deal with the stress of life. Emphasize that if they make health and vitality their goals, it will be much easier to lose weight or reach whatever goals they may have.
Help Set Attainable Goals
Where unrealistic expectations commonly cause fitness failure, setting realistic and attainable goals is a straight path to true conversion. When helping someone begin the journey to the promised land, offer the Fitness Witness SOS (Start Out Small). Help eliminate one bad behavior at a time. Suggest a one-week commitment, like replacing sodas with water or walking at lunch. Small successes breed big motivation. Whatever your recommendation, make it easy to accomplish, establish it on a daily basis, and encourage them to start immediately! When that goal is accomplished, celebrate, and then help set slightly more advanced goals.
SIDE BAR: Fitness Witness SOS (Start Out Small)
Thou shall walk 30 minutes, three days a week
Thou shall drink one bottle of water, before and after 3 p.m.
Thou shall eat two pieces of fruit a day
Thou shall eat two veggies a day
Show The Way to Enlightenment
Once you get their minds and behaviors moving in the right direction, SHOW the fitness neophytes how good they can feel. Offer to take a co-worker on a walk, hike, to your fitness center or to lunch at your favorite health food restaurant. Ask your spouse if s/he would like to do a “quality time” post dinner walk. Schedule a weekly family hike and announce the ultimate goal of a trip to the Grand Canyon. Incentives are powerful motivators that help people get over the hump of starting an exercise program.
Fun = Motivation
Basic human nature dictates that people will not do what they don’t enjoy- not for very long anyway. Several studies suggest socialization is the MOST important factor to long-term exercise adherence. Aerobic disciples may find it hard to believe, but the bulk of the population is motivated more by fun than by gains in fitness. It is considerably easier to motivate people to exercise if the workout is pleasurable and ends with breakfast or lunch at the local coffee shop. Develop the attitude that you are not trying to get her/him into shape; you are only exposing her/him to something beneficial and fun. While sipping java after the workout, s/he won’ t be able to stop talking about how good s/he feels, and you will have an open invitation to further fitness discussions.
Let me add a word of warning - it takes a lot of courage to take action. Put yourself in your fitness wannabe’s shoes. Envision Jurgan Zack as a coworker who asks YOU on a bike ride. You’d be somewhat intimidated (well, I’d be!), and because you don’t want to look like an “uber-loser,” you won’t dare confess you were about to toss your cookies. Remember, socialization is paramount. If you are going so fast that s/he can’t talk, s/he’s not having fun.
Be Consistent And Compassionate
Even the fitness faithful fall off the wagon, but typically only for a short time. Non-believers fall off with a giant THUD that can last twenty years. True conversion requires consistent encouragement and compassion. When they falter, let them know that falling off the wagon is no biggie and that you, too, occasionally lose “faith.” Learning that no one is without sin and that falling off track is a normal hiccup in the process of enlightenment will make it easier for s/he to get back on track.
Conclusion
Being a fitness witness is a challenging but ultimately rewarding pursuit. You will find some people easy converts. Point them in the right direction and off they go. Others will need you to take them by the hand and show them the way. And yet, you will find some who are not ready and will CLEARLY communicate that. If you do get a negative or nasty response, remember what a psychologist once told me, “A hit dog hollers.” You may have challenged some deeply-held rationalizations. While they may not be ready today, their day will come, and they will remember what you said and that you tried to help. The main goal of a fitness witness is to plant seeds. The miracle of being a fitness witness is that you never know what will come of the seeds you planted. You may run into one of your previous non-believers looking at least 100 pounds lighter, or you will recognize the face of new convert as he passes you at the run turnaround.
Andy Core, M.S. is an exercise physiologist and professional speaker. He lives in Fayetteville AR, and when not preachin’, you can catch him at www.andycore.com.
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