Typically, there is nothing resolute about New Year’s resolutions. Many center on the topic of “exercising” or even “exercising more consistently.” But by February, resolution has become dissolution, what was hopeful has turned dreadful, and the promise of success has once again gone down in ball of flaming failure. So, how can we help these well-intended, potential exercise enthusiasts to get their resolutions to stick?
It’s a great question. And, if we can address it, we position ourselves to make a massive impact on society, the industry and our businesses.
You interested? Here’s the story…
Currently, the exercise recommendation for adults in the United States is 150 minutes of moderate activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week. Interestingly enough, a recent study has noted that one of the major obstacles for participants adhering to an exercise program is the suggested time required to exercise. In other words, when people are asked to exercise for extended periods of time (i.e. following the “guidelines”) they are more likely to quit. Sound familiar?
In a new book entitled Engaging and Retaining Clients in Healthy Behaviour Change: A Guide to Motivation for Personal Trainers and Coaches, world-renowned Clinical Neuropsychologist, Dr. Roy Sugarman states that “People don’t mind change, they just hate being told to change” and also that people “need the reward of micro‐goal successes to avoid ambivalence about the big goals.” Simply put, people are more likely to change when they feel that they have a sense of control, can manage the process and see some quick “micro” results.
You’re thinking, “Yea, what’s your point…?”
Well, given the statistics, I would say we have a situation:
Globally:
1.6 billion people are overweight and/or obese.
60% of people worldwide do not get “sufficient” physical activity.
Less than 12% of people carry a gym membership.
In the US:
Nearly 70% of adults are overweight and/or obese (20% of children).
Less than 20% get the recommended amount of physical activity, while about 25% get no physical activity.
Less than 15% of the population belong to a gym.
I would further say that this situation is an inability to effectively alter the current behavior practices of people worldwide. All of the best “guidelines” in the world are useless if we can’t get people to follow them. People will not follow them just because we tell them to.
So what do we do?
Build a bridge! We “baby-step” people all the way to these guidelines. We must create a habit by instilling in people a ritualistic behavioral pattern. Dr. Sugarman says that by building out “micro-goals” (small, manageable goals that are not too far outside of a person’s comfort zone), we can help decrease the fear of the ultimate “big” goal (the overall result that can be very far from the current comfort zone).
Train the client, not the guideline. We must create a paradigm shift toward “exercise.” The guidelines say we have to do 150 minutes of exercise (big goal). The client’s response is a fear-based “What?!?” To people familiar with physical activity, these guidelines aren’t so bad. However, to the more than 4.2 billion people worldwide who do not achieve sufficient activity, these guidelines are a mountain. What if we set the “big-goal” guidelines aside for the moment and create some “micro-goal” guidelines. Instead of the 30 minutes of exercise 5 days per week minimum, what if we can get people to achieve a micro-goal of being physically active for 5-10 minutes 2-3 days per week?
Not buying it?
Try this… Go find someone who hates exercising. Tell them they need to exercise 30 minutes a day everyday of the week and see what their response is. Now, ask them if they would be willing to spend 5-10 minutes 2-3 days per week doing some simple movements…Was there a difference in their response?
Emotionally charge people! We need to do a better job of matching a person’s exercise with their personality and behavioral patterns. Give them activities that they enjoy, not what a book or video or the latest guru says is “best.” Train the client, not the guideline.
If we truly desire to enhance the current level of well-being in our businesses, our clients, our industry and in our society, we must address and influence the behavioral practices of each person. To effectively accomplish this task, we need to train the client, not the guideline. Creating a better, easier and more manageable experience will go a long way to establishing practices that are holistically healthier.
Rodney Corn is a former collegiate athlete, bodybuilder, international presenter, published author and contributor to numerous fitness industry publications. Rodney is a Co-Founder of PTA Global, where he currently serves as Vice President of Academic Operations.
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