Overcoming Resistance: A Midlife Coach’s Advice for Putting Your Healthspan First
As a midlife coach, I’m continually inspired by the enthusiasm of our new members as they get started on their healthspan journey and begin to build functional fitness momentum.
They're excited and a little nervous. They’re proud of themselves for taking action. And they can’t help but share their enthusiasm.
It’s awesome!
But it won’t last. Never does.
I’m sorry for my cynicism. But sadly, all that excitement and enthusiasm will inevitably wane.
Worse, something else will creep in to take its place… doubt, distraction, and discouragement. Count on it.
It’s hard getting started. Sticking with it is even harder. What my mom called stick-to-it-ive-ness is a choice—not a natural action.
We'll have days and weeks when we'll feel like crap. Our motivation and commitment will be consistently tested. We'll let ourselves down. We’ll skip a workout, or maybe a couple, possibly more.
No worries. This happens to EVERYBODY. Even me.
There’s a name for what stands in our way. And when something’s got a name, you can overcome it.
An author who I respect and follow, Stephen Pressfield, calls it Resistance. He describes it as a kind of malevolent force that's forever conspiring to obstruct, distract, and derail us.
Kind of like the Dark Side from Star Wars. We must remain vigilant against its eternal design to keep us in a state of anxiety, stagnation, and depression. That dark doom loop.
Whether you buy into Mr. Pressfield’s animated concept of dark forces or not, trust me, we will all face obstacles that make it hard to continue.
But I believe those obstacles are actually there to strengthen us. Just like our muscles, our will grows stronger by overcoming resistance.
The Stoics have a mantra that is fitting… the obstacle is the way. The verbatim quote by the Stoic philosopher and emperor Marcus Aurelius, goes like this:
The impediment to action advances action.
What stands in the way becomes the way.
The antidote to Resistance is simple. Action… any action.
The impediment to action advances action.
Just take one step forward toward whatever objective you seek. Sure, it will be hard. It will demand much of your willpower to take that step. But the second step is easier, and the third is even easier.
What stands in the way becomes the way.
Just keep putting one step in front of the other. Then you build momentum.
Momentum is the antipode to Resistance. Momentum is kind of like the good Force in Star Wars. With momentum, we are capable of limitless heights.
We designed MidStrong as a middle age online fitness platform to help busy midlifers overcome Resistance, build some momentum, and find their way forward. Click here to learn more about our unique approach to prioritizing food, fitness, function—and the best years of your life.
By the way, if this topic interests you at all, check out Ryan Holliday. Here’s a great YouTube clip in which he explains this concept in a bit more depth. It’s definitely worth the 7 minutes to listen.
MidStrong is for life.
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Learn how our approachable, flexible, and affordable middle age online fitness classes are tailored to your body, goals, and equipment. Or join a small group training session right here at our Westborough, MA workout facility.