Getting in shape : Staying focussed

This is a bit of a departure from the last post, and sort of goes back to the motivational tips. My point is that it’s very easy for humans (and related primates capable of using computers and working out) to get distracted, especially during your workout. It’s vital that you stay focussed throughout your workout.

Now, I know that it’s really tough for some people to stay focussed for 20 minutes, even though its for your own good. The main reason you should be staying focussed is simply because once you get distracted, you might stop monitoring your speed/tempo. Once that happens, and your average speed/heart rate drops, you’ll have to get it up again. Trust me, it’s much easier when you don’t slow down in the first place.

The first and foremost tool at your disposal is music. You should have a playlist specifically for your workouts ready. It’s really simple. Just avoid any kind of slow song. I suggest a mix of fast hip-hop, techno/electronic (not necessarily trance), head-banging rock etc. I could come up with a mathematical formula for selecting songs, but I couldn’t be bothered. So all I’ll say is that keep the BPM (beats per minute) or tempo of the songs above your heart-rate and/or steps per minute.

CAUTION : You may be really tempted to use your music player while you’re doing exercises, but I won’t suggest that. Firstly, headphone cables have a tendency to get badly entangled, both with each other, and with your limbs. The last thing you want is tripping over your own headphone cable. Secondly, headphones can be kind of delicate, and excessive pulling on the cables is bound to cause them to stop working after a while, especially if you do it day-after-day. If you really must listen to music while exercising, get some cheap disposable earphones, like the kind you’ll get on flights.

Now, while you’re running, you should not pay attention to anybody around you. Fine, things, birds, sky et al are fine, but not people. People have eyes, and mouths (although because you’re blasting your music, you probably won’t hear them). Some people stare, which is, to be honest, nothing worth a second glance back.

The second more pressing concern is competition. You’re more than likely to encounter other people jogging/running/exercising in the same place you are. My advice is to avoid being influenced by them at all costs. Somebody might be doing less laps than you, so might be running faster. Do not get into an ego competition with him/her in an attempt to go faster. You’ll just end up messing your entire run up. Remember that you’re on a self-paced programme, and you’re biggest competitor is yourself. Run at your own pace, run only as much as you had targeted. Remember that others might be on a different training routine i.e. one that might concentrate on endurance (so they’ll run more laps than you), or on speed (they’ll run faster than you). Just stay focussed. This is important because if you don’t pace yourself, you’ll end up too tired for the next day’s workout, which means you might not do it, and once your break the trend, it might get progressively worse, till finally you might drop the thing altogether, and be branded a worthless pile of s**t.

Oh, and one more thing. Whatever you do, don’t get all smug and happy if you overtake someone. Especially if they’re younger/older/out of shape. Bear in mind that they had the will power to come out and workout like you, and given enough time, will be shaping up just like you, possibly even better. So treat them as your equals, and don’t patronise them.

Oh, and one little tip that might help you. If you remember, I keep referring to the term MF (motivational factor). Well, that MF must have a name of some sorts, right? Well, take a pen, and with your palm facing upwards, write the initial for that MF on your wrist. Next time you feel you’re letting up, just glance at your wrist and give yourself a little boost. Works for me. Without fail.