The Silent Fitness Killer You Never See Coming

And two ways to fight it

I’m someone who thoroughly embraces routine.

I listen to the same songs over and over, eat the same foods, and wake up at the same time each morning (for the most part). For me, routine boosts productivity and reduces stress. The fewer decisions I have to make the better.

Of course, the flip side is also true. I tend to shy away from anything new. People tell me Breaking Bad is a candidate for greatest show of all time. I keep meaning to start it. But why would I do that when I can stream an episode of That 70s Show I’ve seen twenty times?

With fitness, we’re told to create and stick to a workout program. To establish our routine. And with good reason, it’s effective. I talk about this a lot. You need a rock-solid training plan if you’re going to progress.

But if you’re not careful, routine can be your undoing. It can transform your once mighty fitness fire into smoldering ash.

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Routine destroys passion

Close your eyes for a moment. Think about what you love doing most. I’ll wait.

Chances are, whatever you pictured can be better described as a feeling rather than a vision. You felt what it was like to do what you love. Humans are emotional creatures. We base much of our earthly experience on force of feeling rather than logical interpretation.

I love distance running. It’s my favorite pastime by far. When I run, stress seems to melt away. All that matters is how I’m feeling at that very moment. I’m not driven by pace or time or distance. It’s this feeling I chase every time I lace up my shoes.

Passion arises from feeling. Passion feeds on how something makes you feel. When I reach the apex of my run, body groovin’ music tunin’, I’m truly at peace. Physical activity transforms into spiritual experience.

Routine has the power to take these feelings away.

Nothing drives passion into the ground like setting limitations or boundaries on what you love. Consider the struggling couple who’s established Thursday night as “sex night”. You’re going to take mankind’s most fundamental passion and put a box around it?

And yet, we do this all the time with our workouts. We plan how many miles we’re going to run and when. Which exercises we’ll perform and how many sets and reps. How many minutes we’ll walk. Don’t even get me started on dietary restrictions and limitations.

We’re taking what we love and putting it in handcuffs.

Balancing routine and passion is a delicate dance. Two staggeringly different concepts in both objective and execution. Yet both are needed for optimal success. This begs the question — how do we find harmony?

Pursue an adjacent passion

Having multiple passions not only makes you a more well-rounded individual, but improves performance and adherence to each endeavor. Think about your productivity level when you’re busy versus when you’re not. Night and day right?

I love classical piano. I’ve been playing on and off since I was 8 years old. There’s nothing better than a quiet evening at home in front of the keys. When I work through a difficult section or run through a piece start to finish, I feel accomplished and satisfied. I feel I’ve ended the day on a “high note”.

Consequently, I also feel better about my work, my writing, and my running.

They say “never keep your eggs in one basket”. By finding passion from multiple places you’ll guarantee no one source has complete control of your happiness. It’s much easier to weather the invariable storms that come about. The highs and lows are more evenly spread. Same reason you diversify your stock portfolio.

If you’re feeling stuck in your fitness routine, branch out. It’s probably not just fitness that has you in a rut. Try something new. Bring back an old hobby. You might find it provides the spark you need to get back on track.

Get out and play

Adults need playtime too.

Never has this been more obvious than during Covid. If I don’t get outside or change my environment frequently I go all Jack Nicholson from The Shining. Although there’s no one here for me to dismember with an ax, so that’s good.

When it feels like the walls are closing in, when the rigidity of your workout program is too much to bear, put it away. Come back to it later. Opt for your version of playtime, whatever that may be. Just get out and play.

Routine is essential for maintaining health and fitness in the long term. Consistency is the number one way to ensure success. But balance is paramount my friends. Workout plans are a must, but so is passion. Two sides of the same coin. The key is finding a combination that works.

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Our first e-book drops on Thursday! “How To Build a Kickass Fitness Habit: A guide to discovering your passion for a healthy way of life.”

Scott Mayer is a runner, thinker, curious observer and certified personal trainer. Visit the In Fitness And In Health website for training plans, consulting options and additional content.

Credit: Anete Lusina on Pexels