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Previous issues: Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
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Aimee's Soapbox!
December 2004: Must. Overcome. Pull. Of. Couch.
Admit it, it's happened to you. You know what I mean, Groovy Readers. You arrive home after a long day in the trenches,
fully intending to work out. Innocently, you set your briefcase down, thinking you'll just sit for a moment and then
get going. But a moment turns into two, turns into five, turns into an hour. Next thing you know, you've watched two reruns of
"Friends" and are halfway into "The Apprentice" before you realize it's 9:30 pm and you've completely blown off your workout.
Now, the gravitational force of the couch is strong indeed, and often requires a Shatnerian effort to overcome. I have fallen
victim to the Tractor Beam many times myself. (A quick poll of my co-workers reveals that they too have been known to succumb.)
But never fear, I am here to help you! I am here to offer you tips on overcoming the Beam and getting your Winter Training
back on track.
AIMEE'S ANTI-SLOTH TIPS FOR OVERCOMING THE CALL OF THE COUCH:
1. Don't.
Yes, you read right. Don't. When I used to coach, I always recommended that my clients take "Lazy December." Most
of my clients competed, and by December, they were ready for a mental and physical break. And if you look at the
principles of periodization training, you will see that rest is just as important a cycle as any of the others. So taking a
break now, when there aren't as many races, is a great idea. Think of it. . . in addition to having time to relax with your family
and catch up on chores and sleep in and just clear your head, you will also be giving your body the downtime it needs to heal and rejuvenate.
Then you can come back in January refreshed and ready to tackle a new season. So work out if you feel like it, but don't beat yourself
up if you don't. Cut yourself some slack. You have the whole rest of the year to be disciplined.
2. Choose a new activity.
OK, if you won't give yourself permission to take some time off, then use this time to try that new sport you've always thought about.
Check out that Spin Class with the cute instructor. See how inflexible you really are and try Yoga. Hit the gym and lift some
weights. This way, you are staying active, but you have a new workout to pique your interest and to strengthen some different
muscles. I am doing this myself. I have chosen an Indoor Rowing Race in February to train for. So now I have a new goal
to get me motivated, and I am doing an activity which will enhance my main sport.
3. Coerce a buddy (or two).
Having another person to keep you accountable is one of the best motivators, in my opinion. It is way too easy to
blow yourself off, but if you have a buddy waiting for you at the gym, you are less likely to skip the workout. (And
if you pick a buddy with razor-sharp wit and a sarcastic streak who will taunt you mercilessly if you bag, then you have
doubled your chances of getting the workout done.) Some of my dragon boat teammates have signed up for Platoon
Fitness together, for example. This way, they have built-in motivators and a shared goal, a sure-fire combination for success.
Of course, these are just a few ideas that I have used personally. You may find that other things work better for you. My
main point is that you try something different. Change is always good, and always groovy. I have found that whenever there is
a challenge in my life (be it overcoming the gravitational pull of the couch or struggling with a work problem or whatever), it is
actually an opportunity in disguise. So how will YOU respond to the couch challenge? If I know you, my Groovy Readers, I know you
will rise to the challenge and rise from the couch!
Coming up...
All new stuff for the New Year!
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