Gardening, at first thought, might seem like it has absolutely nothing to do with fitness or the transformative journey a person takes to improve their body, mind, and life for the better.
But, if you take a deeper look, there are some very key parallels that offer a bit of insight.
First, in order to be successful at gardening, you need to have the right tools. Seeds, a shovel, fertilizer, soil.
The same applies for fitness- you must have tools in place for success: training program that fits your needs, equipment/space, healthy nutrition options to fuel your efforts.
Second, even with the right tools in hand, nothing will happen in a garden unless the environment is appropriate. Flowers will not grow if planted in the middle of winter. Soil quality, amount of sunlight, water, etc. also have a huge impact on the chances of success.
In fitness, the environment is just as important. Does your schedule allow you time dedicated for training, making healthy food choices, and taking time for stress reduction? If work, meetings, or other responsibilities constantly impede an environment in which a workout will happen or meal planning can take place, the chances for success are slim to none. If stress levels are so high that sleep isn’t optimal, results will not happen.
Third, everyone who’s ever planted a garden knows that the outcomecannot be predicted or controlled. You never know quite how the flower will look or how much of a bounty the plant will yield.
Chances are, if you take the time and equip yourself with the right tools & environment, you can predict with pretty good accuracy what (and when) outcome will take place.
However, there’s no guarantee.
I think this is the most important correlation to fitness.
So often, people are eager to see a certain result [lose 20lbs] happen in a specific amount of time [by January 1st].
But the fact of the matter is that you cannot control the outcome.
At all.
All you can do is make sure that you are as careful as possible with the process.
Consistently check in to make sure that you are using the best tools possible.
Ask yourself: is my training program the most efficient and effective for ME?
How do I know that my nutrition choices are those that will yield the best results?
How much time am I spending focused on self-care [stress reduction, meditation, sleep, work/life balance]?
Then take a look at your environment… is it conducive to the outcome you want to see?
Ask yourself: where am I spending most of my time?
Is going out to a sports bar for beer and wings every weekend helping (or hurting) my progress?
Are the people I spend my time with supportive of my goals? Or do they attempt to undermine or sabotage my efforts?
Once you get your toolbox and environment dialed in, you are in the best position for success.
Remember that consistency is key…. Keep doing your best and over time, you will see your results bloom.
- Coach Michelle
But, if you take a deeper look, there are some very key parallels that offer a bit of insight.
First, in order to be successful at gardening, you need to have the right tools. Seeds, a shovel, fertilizer, soil.
The same applies for fitness- you must have tools in place for success: training program that fits your needs, equipment/space, healthy nutrition options to fuel your efforts.
Second, even with the right tools in hand, nothing will happen in a garden unless the environment is appropriate. Flowers will not grow if planted in the middle of winter. Soil quality, amount of sunlight, water, etc. also have a huge impact on the chances of success.
In fitness, the environment is just as important. Does your schedule allow you time dedicated for training, making healthy food choices, and taking time for stress reduction? If work, meetings, or other responsibilities constantly impede an environment in which a workout will happen or meal planning can take place, the chances for success are slim to none. If stress levels are so high that sleep isn’t optimal, results will not happen.
Third, everyone who’s ever planted a garden knows that the outcomecannot be predicted or controlled. You never know quite how the flower will look or how much of a bounty the plant will yield.
Chances are, if you take the time and equip yourself with the right tools & environment, you can predict with pretty good accuracy what (and when) outcome will take place.
However, there’s no guarantee.
I think this is the most important correlation to fitness.
So often, people are eager to see a certain result [lose 20lbs] happen in a specific amount of time [by January 1st].
But the fact of the matter is that you cannot control the outcome.
At all.
All you can do is make sure that you are as careful as possible with the process.
Consistently check in to make sure that you are using the best tools possible.
Ask yourself: is my training program the most efficient and effective for ME?
How do I know that my nutrition choices are those that will yield the best results?
How much time am I spending focused on self-care [stress reduction, meditation, sleep, work/life balance]?
Then take a look at your environment… is it conducive to the outcome you want to see?
Ask yourself: where am I spending most of my time?
Is going out to a sports bar for beer and wings every weekend helping (or hurting) my progress?
Are the people I spend my time with supportive of my goals? Or do they attempt to undermine or sabotage my efforts?
Once you get your toolbox and environment dialed in, you are in the best position for success.
Remember that consistency is key…. Keep doing your best and over time, you will see your results bloom.
- Coach Michelle
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