Even with the best intentions, its difficult to stay motivated and exercise day after day, year after year, for your entire life.
Its normal for your enthusiasm to ebb and flow. To keep your motivation up, you may need a kedge.
I learned about the idea of kedging during my 5 a.m. dog walks, listening to Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit and Sexy Until youre 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley and Dr. Harry Lodge. Although the book was written for an older population in mind, it is never too early to start adopting Crowley and Lodges advice for a longer life.
The book was recommended by a client who is an avid cyclist in his early 60s and rides at least two gran fondos every year. But I also gave the book to my sister who is 41 years old. It has revolutionized her life. Even with two kids and a full-time job, she now trains six days a week and sends me texts daily about how much more energy she has. Its fantastic.
In chapter nine, Crowley tells a short anecdote about kedging. This isnt a new concept, but I loved the new word and I thought the comparison to fitness was brilliant. The word kedge is both a verb and a noun. A seafaring term, a kedge is a small anchor. To use this anchor to kedge is to drop the anchor ahead of a becalmed, motionless ship and then rely on raw muscle power to move that ship forward by pulling on the line attached to the anchor. Crowley explains that all of us, at some point in our lives, will need a kedge to pull our fitness back on course again. He is advocating that the key to staying young is to never stop training: six days a week, every month of every year for the rest of your life. So yes, you will lose motivation at times.
The type of kedge you choose and even whether or not you reach your goal doesnt matter as much as getting started because, in the process, you will become fitter and healthier along the way.
Crowley describes the benefits for several different types of kedge but its up to you to choose which one will work for you. I recommend experimenting with several throughout your life as the same kedge may not work every time. Crowley finishes the chapter with only one requirement: your kedge must be both serious and fun.
What will be your kedge this year?
Set a goal
By setting a time-specific goal such as a race, event, tournament or group tour, you have a huge incentive to get into shape. By financially and publicly committing to an event, youre less likely to back out since others may now rely on you and expect you to reach a certain fitness level.
If this is your chosen kedge, make sure to give yourself enough time to get into shape or you may injure yourself trying to get there too quickly.
If you are new to fitness or new to the sport like long-distance road running, for example, you may need more time to prepare for your goal compared to someone with more experience.
Buy equipment
Although new equipment isnt necessary in order to participate and enjoy the benefits of physical fitness, good gear can be a great incentive. Think of the time you were five years old and someone bought you a new toy. You were so excited, it was the first thing you thought of every morning and you couldnt wait to play with it. We are all still five years old when it comes to toys, even if the toys have grown up. Buying a new piece of equipment or even a new piece of clothing can help motivate you to get out the door.
Hire experts
Hiring a personal trainer or coach will make you accountable, teach you something new and ensure that you reach your goals safely.
Enlist friends
It costs money to sign up for a race, buy new equipment and hire a coach. But staying in good shape and being healthy doesnt need to be expensive, which means your kedge might be a friend.
By enlisting a friend to train with you or track your progress, makes you accountable and this sense of responsibility can keep you motivated. But remember: you may have to return the favor in the future. If your friends are not into fitness or the sport you enjoy, join a club and youll have a whole group of friends to keep you motivated.
Try something new
Although we are creatures of habit, we also get bored quickly. By picking up a new sport, you challenge your muscles and brain to adapt and work in new ways. These changes can make fitness feel fun and exciting again.
Kristina Bangma is a coach, personal trainer and writer with a love of riding and racing. Email questions to [email protected].
