Confessions of a lazy instructor

Have you ever started doing something and had the best intentions only to lose motivation and give up halfway through? Maybe you started a new exercise program and quit after a few weeks (or days). All along, you know that if you just stuck it out, you would get the results that you desire. But crikey, it's hard to stay consistent long enough.

I have a confession to make: There are times when I really don't want to teach my classes.

Whether it's due to the weather, lack of sleep or just general slothness, I find myself thinking, "Wouldn't it be nice to do nothing." 

Let's face it, fitness is hard for most people. Without some kind of accountability, it's easy to fall off the wagon and then feel overwhelmed by trying to get back on.

For me, being a full-time fitness instructor has been a great way to keep myself on track because when I commit to a class, I turn up for that class. As much as I wish I could have the willpower to go for a run or ride my bike every day, the reality is that my motivation comes and goes and when it does, it's nice to know that if I'm scheduled for a class, I can't just bail out (or at least not easily).

Plus, one of the best motivators for me is knowing that other people are depending on me. When I know people are showing up for a group fitness class, I'm going to want to make sure I am there. My ego will not allow me to let other people down. That is something I can't live with. 

The other benefit is that there no excuse to skip the workout because that's what being a professional is all about. You are part of the community of people who motivate others and help them set their own goals, so you need to be walking the talk yourself.

Being a professional means that I'm constantly thinking about what exercises we'll be doing next and how can I increase the intensity or make it more fun and interesting. This also satisfies another personal motivational driver which is the opportunity to share my knowledge with others who may not know what they're doing yet and want to get fitter/stronger/healthier. I love being able to show them different exercises or how they can modify certain movements so that they are getting stronger without hurting themselves. Trust me, I certainly would not be going to the effort if this was for my own personal fitness goals.

Teaching a group fitness class requires concentration and focus which reduces the amount of mental space my brain has to create excuses and justify skipping a workout. With participants depending on me, I know that I must show up and lead by example. The accountability makes it easier for me to stay committed to my goals.

Even when the Covid pandemic hit, I realised how amazing what a little accountability can do. Posting on social media about a free class made me show up even when I knew that I wasn't being paid. It literally kept me sane, healthy and I avoided the excessively slothness that I know that I have the potential to do. So, in the end, I am really glad that I chose this career as a group fitness instructor because it helps other people and it helps me to make movement a priority. 

Marietta Mehanni