Be a tortoise.

Sometimes people are surprised when I praise others in my classes for modifying exercises to suit their fitness levels.

When I see someone drop from a full plank to a half one or change a squat jump to a normal squat I make a point of acknowledging it.

This might seem counter productive, surely a modified move isn’t as good as a full move…?

Be a tortoise.

The truth is that it’s time we celebrated taking things slowly.

It’s time to celebrate being a tortoise.

When it comes to fitness and health in general we are all too quick to jump in at the deep end. After all, that’s where all the cool people are.

The people with abs
The people with their fitness plans down
The ones who never fail to make it to the gym on time
Who wake up early to workout and look great doing it

If we take the ‘jumping in at the deep end’ meaning literally – would you dive into a 5 meter pool on your first swimming lesson?

Why should health be any different?

I see people refuse to modify exercises when their form is clearly poor because they’re not yet strong enough then they beat themselves up for not being fit enough.

Why should we feel embarrassed for taking the beginners classes?

Why shouldn’t we feel happy about the small changes we’ve made?

The answer is comparison.

Comparison is the thief of joy.

You could be so pleased with your first half press up then look over to see someone doing 50 jump press ups in a row and suddenly feel like an idiot for being pleased with your ‘measly attempt’.

I’ve seen people give up because they’re not ready for harder exercise and therefore assume that they’re not ready to do anything.

I can’t run but walking is too easy.

I can’t go the the gym every day but once a week won’t do anything for me.

I try to cut out all the ‘bad’ foods but then I fail so I’ll go back to the way I normally eat.

It’s almost as if the easier options are so easy that they’re not worth our time.

The truth is that time passes anyway.

Soon it will be Christmas again. Then January.

New Years resolutions. Have you achieved yours?

Or did you skip the first easy steps, go straight in at the deep end and fail to see any results?

(be honest)

Results come from consistency – not speed

As children we’re taught the story of the tortoise and the hare. The tortoise plods along slowly, making his way to the finish line of the race. The hare sprints off but gets tired and needs to have a rest.

*spoiler alert*

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The tortoise wins.

If it’s ok to take things slowly as children, why must we be fast adults?

If we ignore comparison, there isn’t any reason to rush.

Start at the beginning.
The very beginning.
The most basic step.
And do it consistently.

One day you will advance to harder things and you can pay it forward and spread the wisdom to the next newbies.

Aim for action, not perfection.

Be a tortoise.

Ainzlie xx

P.s – look out for my nutrition coaching programme coming soon, this is a not a quick fix or a simple 6 week challenge.

I’m in this for the long haul to help you see some results. Embrace this attitude and get ready for some results.