Boxer-Size

The W Questions.

I've been training/coaching people for near on ten years now!
You learn a lot about human behaviour over that period of time.
Something I've noticed, is that when people are excited or enthused to try something new, they invariably want to jump in at the deep end. This, I have discovered, is not a good thing. When you discover you're not as fit as you think you are, or that the thing you want to participate in is not as easy as you thought, this can lead to discouragement, and ultimately dropping out of that thing you wanted so badly in the first place; and in some cases, it can also lead to injury.
One of the things I have learnt, during the period I've been coaching, is before I open my big mouth, is to ask myself a few questions. I use these questions to rationalise what I'm doing, but I also use them as a second guess mechanism as to what a client wants, or needs. The great thing about these questions is that, pretty much, no two people will answer them in the same way. It can be surprising the difference between what people think they want, and what they actually need. If that sounds a bit cryptic, take something that you do frequently, apply these questions to it, and then see if it changes your perception of what you're doing, why you're doing it, or how you do it.
I call these the W questions, and I urge everyone to use them, not just in relation to health & fitness, but in everyday use about almost everything.
It's simple and practical.
Here's how it works...
What, Why, How, Who, When and Where!
You will notice they all start with W, apart from How, but it ends in W, so there!
Simply just ask six questions about anything...
1.What is it that I want to do, or What is it that I'm doing? This is the most obvious one, and sometimes we just do things blindly, either by trying to copy, or because we have been told to do it. But, if we can feel in control of what we are doing, by slowing it down, dismantling the action, reconstructing the sequence, and truly understanding what is we are attempting, then ultimately, that will bring enlightenment to the task, and should make it easier (or harder, if that is the goal!), and more satisfying.
2. Why am I doing it? Again, a pretty obvious question, but sometimes dismissed. Is there something beneficial to be gained from the task, or could it be detrimental, even dangerous, to your wellbeing? Similar to above, if you don't understand Why you are doing something, it can lead to frustration, and ultimately giving up. This is where goal setting steps in, if we never see progression, or some sort of result, our motivation will go, we will become bored, and eventually give up.
3. How are you going to do this thing? Will it cost you money? Will you need equipment? Will you need a membership? Will you need a partner, or a team, or a new set of clothes?
It doesn't have to be fitness based... say you want to take up ballroom dancing! Do you need a partner? How will you find one? Will a club provide one? What about clothes? Can you enter competitions? Will you get stagefright?
Perhaps buying a car? How will you afford it? What kind of car? Why do you need it? Where will you buy it? When can you afford it?
This one question can set you off into a forest of questions!
4. Who? Another quite open question. Who will it benefit? You hopefully, but it may also impact either positively, or negatively, on others around you.
Alternatively, who are you going to do it with? A club, a coach, a trainer, a team, a partner, a manager?
You might find a good coach, but not get along with them personally, or there's someone in your team you don't like, or doesn't like you. If you become obsessed with your ballroom dancing, and are out practicing every night, who's feeding the kids? Does your partner think you're having an affair?
5. When are you going to do it? This may not seem as important as the others, but still has some impact. Wanting to do something, needing to do something, and actually doing the thing, are three entirely different concepts.
Committing yourself to doing something, and maintaining that commitment, is the long term struggle we all deal with. In this case consistency is paramount! Make a date and a time, and stick to it. As soon as you start being late, or taking a day off, you're starting down the rocky road to giving up.

6. Finally, last but not least.
Where are you going to do the thing. This may seem like the least important of the questions, but sometimes without an actual venue, a lot of tasks (specifically sports, or ballroom dancing), can't be performed properly.
This is something that has been highlighted to me over the past year; having no access to my previous facilities, has taken a great toll on my business. Only being able to train outside, or online, has hampered what I can do as a coach (inclement weather and shorter days), and I have to balance out making a living with the safety, health and wellbeing of those I work with.
Sometimes we can destroy our own dreams, simply by not understanding what it is we're trying to achieve!
I've only scratched the surface of these questions here, but I hope you can see how useful asking them of yourself can be.
They have certainly helped me adapt and overcome over this past year, I hope that they can be equally useful for you in the coming year.
If anyone wants help with their training or fitness goals, feel free to contact me on 07759667354.
Stay Strong, Stay Safe!
And Keep Smiling!
David.😃

Some old guy wrote this!😁

Control
As we enter our third (or is it fourth?) lockdown, here’s some thoughts to keep in mind.
This may be the future!
These intermittent lockdowns, the scramble to find a vaccine for the new strain, the virus mutating, and frustratingly having to start all over again.
Two phrases have jumped out at me during these last turbulent months, and they kind of illustrate the sort of approaches and mindset to health and fitness that people appear to have.
1). “Oh no, the gyms are shut again!”, or conversely, “Thank god, the gyms are open again!”
2). Adapt & Overcome.
Just writing that, two other things pop out at me, and that is the drama laden angst of number one, with its anguished exclamation points, and the simple pragmatism of number two.
There are a lot of theories out there: about whether the virus exists, who created it and released it, the machiavellian plots behind the virus, who benefits from this chaos, it’s a move toward a cashless society, it’s about monitoring, tracking and controlling the population…
Whether you believe any, or all of the above theories, and whether any of them are right or wrong, is a separate debate. Why would THEY want to do THAT to US? Well the one very important word up in that paragraph, and even though it’s only used once, affects everything, is Control.
Everything we do, is some form of control, and we can either be controlled, or be the controller.
Okay, before we get off track, and into a political & philosophical debate, let’s get back to my original point.
On your health and fitness journey (whether that is weight loss, fitness increases, muscle building, or progression in sport or technique), don’t let outside forces dictate to you. Everything is about control! Whether it is lifting a weight (you must control it, not it you), propelling an object through space (a ball – golf, tennis, football, rugby etc; javelin, shot putt, a caber, or even a fist – obviously Boxing), distance, speed, direction, breathing, strength, power, all of these things have to be controlled. Not only is control the difference between success and failure, it’s also necessary, because a lot of these sports and activities are dangerous (not only to others, but yourself) if not controlled.
Similarly, if you let your environment dictate to you where, when, what, why, and how you train or exercise, then you have lost control. So, in plain speaking, you don’t need a gym to get fit, or stay fit, you just need the right attitude.
Adapt & Overcome can apply to anything, and everything, in life. If we fall at a hurdle pick yourself up, dust yourself down, and start all over again. It’s a cycle just like the virus crisis.
If you don’t have a gym use the park, the garden, the pavement.
No weights? Too expensive? No room? Get some resistance bands.
No heavy bag? Use a mattress or some cushions against a doorway, or a tree. Or a car tyre - just be careful!
Use a bike to cycle! Run in the park (fresh air is wonderful)! Use stairs, or hill sprints for higher intensity work.
I’m only scratching the surface here, not trying to write a book, but I hope you get the idea. Don’t let lockdown, become locked up! Don’t become a helpless prisoner of this crisis. Take back control of the Control word itself! Don’t be a Drama Queen and give up at the first (or even the third or fourth) sign of despair. Use your imagination to adapt and overcome. Strength of Will is greater than Strength of Body!
It’s coming up to the New Year, and this virus is not going to disappear at the striking of the bell! Round 2 is about to begin in 2021. So, polish up your New Year’s resolutions, pick yourselves up, and let’s start all over again. A fit mind and a fit body, will prevent you becoming a victim (whether it’s of the virus, or the system) more than anything else. Be in control of the match! We may not be able to knock this virus out, but we can win on points!
If anybody needs any help or ideas, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
07759667354.
Stay Safe.
Stay Healthy.
And Stay in Control!
Merry Xmas when it comes.
David.

This Sunday is a chance to see up and coming Scottish boxers representing their country . A great Sunday afternoon’s entertainment and any support would be greatly appreciated by the boxers. Get in touch for tickets by contacting the phone number on the poster.