First published 26 September 2022 on Your Best Year Starts Here with Nigel Risner.
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Nigel did the intro for episode 200. He pointed out he'd only done it about 20 times in four years, so the big one was his. He got the title right too, which I'm fairly sure we've already used as an episode name, so we settled on Nigel being super excited and turning up on time.
We never thought we'd get past episode five. My take is that we got this far because we never signed up for four years in the first place. We kept going because it's fun. Nigel brought out his spelling of it, I-N-J-O-Y. If you're not in joy, you won't enjoy the process. And if you're not enjoying your practice or your store, he reckons there's a good chance it isn't working either.
With the end of the year not far off, I got onto resolutions. People pick something to give up, chocolate, say, and hardly anyone asks what they'll gain. (Nigel's answer was 20 pounds, if you don't give up the chocolate.) The thing pulling you forward keeps you going longer than the pain you're running from. It's why people yo-yo. Halfway to the weight they wanted, the pain's gone, so the old habits creep back in.
So I told the marathon story again. I'd run the full distance in training but never at race pace, and at about 15 or 16 miles my brain decided a half marathon's worth was plenty. Ken tapped me on the shoulder and said remember why you're doing this. That got me over the line. I also quoted Mary Poppins, which I never expected to do on this show. In every job that there is to be done, there is an element of fun.
We finished by asking listeners what they'd like more of. Nigel committed to another 100 episodes (I pointed out he hadn't got my commitment yet) and said he'd be sitting on his own next week. My one promise was that if you message us, you'll get a reply. If 20,000 turn up it might take us a while.
What I'd pass on
- If you're not enjoying it, there's a good chance it isn't working. Try having more fun with it.
- You don't have to go a whole year without something. Decide each day.
- Set resolutions around what you'll gain. Giving something up on its own runs out of steam halfway.
- Hiring a trainer doesn't get you off the hook of doing the training. Find food and exercise you actually like.
- When your head says that's enough, remember why you started.
If you're not enjoying what you're doing, there's a good chance it's not succeeding.
Nigel Risner
Hiring a personal trainer doesn't get you off the hook of actually doing the training.
Neil Martin
