Trust the Process

When I was growing up, physical activities were anathema to me. While my classmates eagerly anticipated sports like cricket or rugby, I avoided them. I was a geek, and my physical prowess matched my persona. I preferred to flex my mental muscles through cerebral pursuits like creative writing and chess.

This trend continued into adulthood, with my lifestyle remaining largely sedentary. However, as I entered my thirties, I began to experience the aches and discomforts of a sedentary lifestyle. My neck and shoulder would lock up if I slept at a funny angle, and my lower back would seize if I bent down too quickly.

One day, I came across a powerful quote by Socrates:

It is a shame for a man to grow old without seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable.

As the discomfort of being in my own body grew, so did my intolerance of my excuses. I became determined to make a change. When the Covid-19 lockdowns hit South Africa, I took advantage of Lenja's already-established pilates and yoga habit. I joined her in her home workouts, kickstarting my fitness journey. After a few weeks of this, I saw unexpected (but unsurprising) improvements: my energy levels increased, my mood brightened, and I felt stronger. Inspired by these changes, I began incorporating strength training into my routine. Still, I struggled to figure out what to do or how to do it to maximise my fitness. I quickly realised that if I wanted to take my fitness to the next level, I needed something more - the proper structure, tools, and accountability.

In June 2022, I signed up for the Fit Vegan coaching program, run by Florian Wüest. It proved to be a life-changing decision. Florian gave me a customised workout plan, a self-paced learning programme, and a weekly call to hold me accountable. His expertise in exercise science helped me understand the 'why' behind each workout, making me more invested in the process. Like any good coach, he provided a healthy dose of motivation. Once, after a two-week trip to New York, where my exercise habit had all but disappeared, his belief in me helped me get past my frustration and get back to doing the work.

Habit change is hard, but we can transform our lives if we're disciplined enough. I went from working out once or twice weekly to four times a week. I cut out refined carbs and sweets from my diet almost entirely and began meal-prepping a whole-food, plant-based diet, counting my calories, and weighing myself. I occasionally regressed to old habits but always fought my way back. I had committed, and I was determined to see the strength and beauty of which my body was capable while I still could.

Fast forward to today, and I'm consistently working out five to six times a week, balancing strength and conditioning, kickboxing, and yoga. I can feel it if I go three days or more without exercising, such as when I travel. I become physically uncomfortable, my patience shortens, and I tend to regress to eating high-calorie and sugar-laden foods. Regular workouts help me feel great, give me more energy and focus, and enable me to handle stress far better. I am more comfortable in my body and more confident in my abilities.

If you, dear reader, struggle with establishing a regular fitness habit, you are not alone. I share my story to emphasise two key points: (1) physical well-being is not a luxury, it's a necessity, and (2) like any new habit, it will be challenging—at first. You'll start seeing results once you've created a routine that works for you and show up consistently. When you (inevitably) fall back into old habits, don't berate yourself; start again. Do it repeatedly until showing up becomes a part of your established routine. And, if you need help, seek the expertise of a coach. The right coach can change your life.

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, trust the process. Your body—and mind—will thank you for it.

Until next week,

Ric.

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