On December 19th, 2001, The Fellowship of the Ring forever changed movie theaters and nerd culture.
If you’re like me, you associate these movies with the holidays and will soon be re-watching all three movies (obviously extended editions).
I’m watching again companionship recently, and I thought of something funny.
While they are in the Mines of Moria, Gandalf reads the last entry in the Book of Mazarbul, the diary of Balin and his fellow elves and their expeditions – and deaths – within the mines:
We can’t get out:
The end is near.
we hear the drums drumming in the depths.
They came…
As I watched this scene, I couldn’t help but laugh as I thought of the current gym-goers worrying about what’s coming in January:
“They’re coming…”
Today, millions of people are ready for “new year, new me.”
Many of those people – perhaps including yourself – have decided that January 1st is the day to get back to the gym, or start your workout routine back up.
I think it is EXCELLENT!
Studies show that having a “fresh start” or choosing specific temporal landmarks like January 1 can be helpful for making changes.
However, there is a problem: “going to the gym regularly” is not a decision.
These are dozens of decisions to make:
- Which gym will you join?
- Will you change at home or in the locker room?
- What is the parking situation like?
- What time of day is best for you?
- What level of gym membership can you get?
- Will you be taking classes or training?
- Which equipment will you use?
- Do you know how to use that equipment?
- Do you shower at the gym or at home?
- How many times a week do you exercise?
- What if your equipment is used?
If you find gyms intimidating or anxiety-inducing, doing ALL of them in January is like playing a video game on Legendary Difficulty:
The equipment you want to use may be occupied.
The parking situation can be a nightmare.
The class you want to take may be full.
You will look for any excuse to tell you why you can’t do something. If you’re scared of a gym or confused because it’s crowded, then your brain will beg you to stay home and never join.
I know right now, your brain is telling you “Wait until January 1st…” before you try again.
that’s fine!
However! If you are willing to take some steps NOW, you will have a better chance of success in the future.
So here’s the challenge…
Join now, but don’t exercise!
This is the PERFECT opportunity to join without the Theadded pressure from ALL PEOPLEThe:
This allows you to remove all EXTRA decisions:
which gym, where to park, what time of day to go, etc.
I’m a fan of Terry Crews’ advice for building a habit of going to the gym:
“You go to the gym, and you just sit there, and read a magazine, and then go home. And do it every day. Go to the gym, not even exercise. just GO
Because the habit of going to the gym is more important than the exercise itself. Because it doesn’t matter what you do.
You can have fun — but as long as you’re having fun, you keep doing it.”
Try and think of these next two weeks as a beta test out of the blue!
There is no workout routine to follow.
You make sure you know where the equipment is and how it works
You do a dry run whether you want to exercise in the morning or in the evening.
You don’t have to beat yourself up for not being completely consistent.
Instead, you just focus on building the hardest part of today’s task (getting in the car or walking to the gym and opening the door).
That means you can reach January 1 with momentum. And don’t underestimate how powerful momentum is.
I am NOT above bribing you!
Many people will join us TheTeaching ProgramThe in January, which is exciting!
But just like joining a gym early has its benefits, joining our coaching before the rush means less waiting, more time to get set up with your coach, and more momentum heading into the new year !
We see this every year… which brings me to my elbows for you.
NUDGE #1: If you are on the fence about teaching, Theschedule a timeThe to speak with a member of Team NF this week.
As long as you talk to us, that’s it mention “Fellowship” for $50 off your first month or $100 off our longer prepay plan.
Learn more about Nerd Fitness Coaching
Hopefully this nudge will help make your decision easier, and make it easier for us to match you with the right coach before things get even more crowded in January.
Oh, and if NF Coaching isn’t in the cards for you right now, don’t worry!
NUDGE #2: To start the first week of January, we are running a Thefree 5-day kickstart challengeThe here on Nerd Fitness, hosted by Head Coach Matt Myers. Just click the button below and sign up!
Join the Free 5 Day Kickstart Challenge
Matt will tackle the number one reason most people fail to stick to their fitness and nutrition programs – and what you can do to make 2025 the year things really stick.
Okay, back to watching Lord of the Rings!
-Steve
