This loaded question was posted on one of the group fitness message boards I participate in - a forum frequented by fitness instructors like me.
The question asked, "Do you ever get sick of it? Of having to be the one up on-stage, motivating other people toward fitness? Do you ever wish you could just give it up for a while and be on the other side of the microphone?"
I only got as far as "Do you ever get sick of it?" The rest of it didn't speak to me. I don't have much desire to attend fitness classes taught by other people because I'd be inclined to judge the songs they've chosen, their music volume, the way they coach things... No sir, I have no burning desire to be a fitness class participant. If I have to go to a fitness class, I'd prefer to be the instructor - I get to choose all the songs I love, make it as loud as I like and get a much harder workout than I would if I were on the floor.
But, do I ever get sick of it? Yes, yes, a hundred times yes.
I've been teaching fitness classes since I was about 18 or 19 years old - almost 15 years. I love it because I get to motivate people, etc. etc.
But every now and then I think, How nice would it be to just go home after work and not have to race around to be somewhere. How awesome would it be to be able to make social plans for, say, a Tuesday evening without adding the disclaimer "...but I teach until 8pm, and then would need to run home and shower, so... I'll meet you at the restaurant for 9:30?" Who eats dinner at 9:30? I do. And I have for nearly 15 years.
I get jealous when I hear people talking about going to that cute antique shop after work, or that awesome one-night-only secret sample sale, or getting together for a quick after-work drink - things I can't do because I HAVE TO go to the gym every night.
And don't get me started on the weekends. While I have always loved being a "weekend warrior" type exerciser who puts in more than a few hours at the gym on Saturdays and Sundays, it would be super awesome to have the opportunity to opt out if the mood struck me. I can't really go out and get rowdy on Friday or Saturday nights because I have to be up early to teach two ungodly difficult hours of classes on both Saturday and Sunday morning. After I've finished teaching, I have to eat copious amounts of food and shower, and by the time I get to the relaxing or errand-running part of my weekend day, it's already 2pm. Even if I plan ahead to take a weekend day off so I can go out to the mountains for a hike or go camping or just chill out (as people tend to do on weekends), it's virtually impossible to find subs to cover my classes... BECAUSE - OH YEAH - IT'S THE WEEKEND.
I love to move, I love to exercise, I love teaching and I love being a wellness role model. I do. I do I do I do. But secretly? Sometimes I'd love to NOT be.
It's not healthy when you start to resent the time you spend in the gym.
So, what are you going to do if or when your body or mind revolts against your wellness regimine? It's worth it to work out a plan of attack, to start thinking of ways to refresh and reinvigorate yourself when you get burned out, It can mean the difference between sticking with your habit or abandoning it altogether.
Share your thoughts in the comments, or at erin@thewellnessshift.com
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