On December 19, 2001, The Fellowship of the Ring hit theaters and nerd culture was changed forever.
If you're like me, you associate these films with the holidays and are about to rewatch all three films (expanded editions, of course).
I was rewatching Fellowship Recently, I had a funny idea.
While in the Mines of Moria, Gandalf reads the final entry in the Book of Mazarbol, a diary of Balin and his fellow dwarves and their expeditions—and demise—into the mines:
We can't go out:
The end is coming soon.
We hear drums drums in the depths.
They are coming…
As I watched this scene, I couldn't help but laugh as I thought of current gym-goers worrying about the crowds coming in January:
“They're coming…”
Right now, millions and millions of people are ready for “New Year, New Me.”
Many of these people – maybe you are one of them – have decided that January 1st is the day to get back into the gym, or start your workout routine back up.
I think this is it great!
Studies show that having a “fresh start” or choosing specific time milestones like January 1 can be helpful for making changes.
But there's one problem: “Going to the gym regularly” isn't a single resolution.
There are dozens of decisions to make:
- What gym will you join?
- Will you be changed at home or in the locker room?
- How is the parking situation?
- What time of day works best for you?
- What level of gym membership will you get?
- Will you choose classes or train on your own?
- What pieces of equipment will you use?
- Do you know how to use that equipment?
- Will you be showering at the gym or at home?
- How many times a week will you exercise?
- What if your equipment is used?
If you find gyms intimidating or unnerving, doing all of this in January is like playing a video game on Legendary difficulty:
The equipment you want to use may be occupied.
Parking can be a nightmare.
The class you want to take may be full.
She will look for any excuse to tell you why she can't do something. If you dread going to the gym or feel overwhelmed by how crowded it is, your mind will beg you to stay home and never join it.
Now I know your mind is telling you, “Wait until January 1st…” before you try again.
This is good!
but! If you are willing to take some steps now, in the future you will have a much better chance of success.
So here is the challenge…
Join today, but don't even exercise!
This is the perfect opportunity to join without Additional pressure for all of humanity:
This allows you to get rid of all additional decisions:
Which gym, where to park, what time of day you're going there, etc.
I like Terry Crews's advice for building the habit of going to the gym:
“Go to the gym, sit there, read a magazine, then go home. And do this every day. Go to the gym, don't even exercise. Just go.”
Because the habit of going to the gym is more important than working out. Because it doesn't matter what you do.
You can have fun, but as long as you're having fun, you'll keep doing it.
Try to think of these next two weeks as a test run without expectation!
There is no workout routine to follow.
You make sure you know where the equipment is and how it works
You're doing a trial run of what your workout would be like in the morning or at night.
You don't have to beat yourself up for not being completely consistent.
Instead, you're just focusing on building the hardest part of the routine now (getting the car or walking to the gym and opening the door).
Which means you can get to January 1st with momentum. And never underestimate how powerful momentum is.
I am not above bribing you!
Many people will join us Training program In January, which is exciting!
But just as joining the gym early has benefits, joining our training before the rush means less waiting, more time to prepare with your trainer, and more momentum heading into the new year!
We see this every year…which brings me to two caveats for you.
Batch No. 1: If you're on the fence about training, Schedule time To chat with a member of the NF team this week.
While you're talking to us, just… Little “Fellowship” For $50 off your first month or $100 off on our longer prepaid plans.
Learn more about Nerd Fitness Training
Hopefully these nudges will help make your decision a little easier, plus it'll be easier for us to match you with the right coach before things get even busier in January.
Oh, and if NF training isn't available to you right now, don't worry!
Batch No. 2: To start the first week of January, we are running Free 5-Day Start Challenge Here at Nerd Fitness, hosted by Master Trainer Matt Myers. Simply click the button below and subscribe!
Join our free 5-day Kickstart Challenge
Matt will address the number one reason why most people fail to follow through with their fitness and nutrition programs – and what you can do to make 2025 the year things actually stick around.
Okay, back to watching Lord of the Rings!
-Steve
