Poor advice given in good faith.
Guilty as charged!!
“Find training you actually enjoy, it doesn’t matter what it is, just get moving” – I say it, I believe in it & and in many ways, I absolutely love this sentiment – movement is medicine – in all forms and anything that can positively impact your health and wellbeing is worth investing in – it’s true BUT it’s not really the full story….
If we are in a position to invest time, resources, energy and effort into exercise, with a view of improving overall health and wellbeing, – there are so many things that are worth considering, which stretch beyond enjoyment:
Training frequency matters
Training modality matters
150-300 mins of moderate to high intensity training weekly – that’s what the World Health Organisation recommends for adults of all ages.
The Healthy Ireland survey (2024) reported that only 41% of Irish adults meet current physical activity guidelines – which is a 5% reduction since the previous report in 2019.This downward trend is concerning. The same report also found that 67% of those who do not meet the physical activity guidelines say they would like to be more active than they currently are. This finding is positive.
In summary, we can infer that although physical activity levels in Ireland have dropped, the desire to engage in physical activity in on the rise.
Intention without action will never bring us closer to achieving our goals.
If you identify with those 67% of Irish people who want to increase your physical activity levels but have struggled to take action, perhaps this can be the nudge you need to put plans in place & get the wheels in motion to increase your physical activity in 2025.
No one can do it for you, it is your choice, and it will be challenging - make it a priority, embrace the challenge & commit.
I used to shy away from advising people to hit the recommended activity levels for fear of sounding ‘over the top’ or ‘extreme’ – but I now realise I did those people a disservice – training once or maybe twice every other week, although it may be ‘fun’, you are unlikely to see any major improvements – if we don’t experience any results, it’s very easy to quit and move on to the next exercise craze – again, train once or twice a week, experience minimal progress and quit again…. That cycle can continue for a lifetime, and we never really get to experience the full benefits of consistent exercise.
Instead, being honest, “we need to get you to a point where you are actively and consistently engaging in moderate to high intensity exercise 3-5 times per week to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. We may not get there straight away but that’s where we are aiming to get to over time” – would have set them up for much more clarity & purpose in training – potentially keeping them engaged for a long enough time to help them to experience the results & get to a point where exercise is engrained in who they are.
One of our key philosophies that we have developed over the years is finding acceptance and comfort in the fact that “they may not always train with us, but they will always train – and isn’t that great”. Helping people build a lifestyle where exercise is an integral part of their being is what it’s all about.
Of course, any form of exercise is better than none, but back to the title of this blog post – ‘poor advice given in good faith’ - training modality matters.
If we focus on ‘enjoyment’ as our sole motivator and driver to engage in exercise, we run the risk of:
- Jumping from one craze to another – never finding that routine and consistency – achieving minimal or short-term results
- Neglecting one of the most effective forms of training which can positively impact longevity, supports ‘healthy ageing’, overall body composition & functional ability – resistance training. This is becoming more widely talked about, encouraged, and shared on social media, but are we taking action?
Well, the research would indicate that as a society, we are not. But why?
It is hard, and uncomfortable starting something new, stepping into the unknown and stretching our comfort zone. Lifting weights requires technique work, understanding of sets, reps, range of motions & appropriate programming for functionality. It requires access to equipment, & ideally access to suitably experienced and qualified coaches. This list could go on…..
But there are people out there ready and waiting to help – coaches who want to coach, facilities that want to be used, weights that want to be lifted, programmes that are easy to follow and like-minded groups that are ready to welcome you.
“Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit at home, and think about it. Go out and get busy.”
Over the Christmas break, I must have heard and said “mind yourself” or “take care of yourself” at least a hundred times while parting ways with friends and acquaintances. It’s such a deeply ingrained expression, yet we often don’t pause to reflect on its true meaning. “Take care of yourself” is more than just a farewell—it’s a powerful reminder.
Our health, fitness, and well-being are ultimately in our own hands; no one else can shoulder that responsibility for us. While it’s ours to manage, it profoundly impacts those around us. In fact, the greatest gift we can offer our loved ones is simply this: taking good care of ourselves.
So perhaps I can comfortably sign off this blog by encouraging each & everyone to ‘mind yourself’ in 2025 & trust that it is the greatest gift you can give yourself & your loved ones.
Katie x