Motivation and Changing Behavior
Motivation and Changing BehaviorMotivation for Age Group/Gender: 38-year-old female Fitness level, reasons for training, program, fears, lifestyle, etc: The client described above was had participated in fitness and kettlebell-based training classes previously with an instructor from Russia. She had a reasonable level of fitness, but had taken 4 months off from her training. Plus, having come from training with someone from Russia in kettlebells (and being of Russian descent herself), she was apprehensive about training in Russian kettlebells with an American. Her goals are strength, conditioning, mobility, flexibility and to achieve a total body workout in a challenging, yet encouraging environment. Her fears and doubts were addressed with our introductory special. She tried out the classes and we provided her with top shelf instruction. We employ the Hardstyle Kettlebell System of training and demonstrated that all of her needs and goals would be met with our programming that provides all of the wave loading and periodization for her. We have addressed her needs and she continually improves and signed on as a full member several month ago. Age and gender can have a profound effect on what type of motivation is required. The motivation for an athlete may be revolved around increasing their performance in their given sport. An adult may want to lower their blood pressure and lower their LDL level, whereas a middle aged individual may want to simply be able to move better. The challenge of the coach or trainer is to first identify the needs and secondly to address them. Goals change over time and it’s great to witness. Clients will come in looking to “shed a few pounds” and after three to six months, their challenging themselves with the size of the kettlebell or how many tactical pull-ups they can perform. In this stage they are consistently adding to their goals and have entered into the state of self efficacy. The training becomes part of them and begins to be part of what defines them. Changing Behavior: At this point in my life I do not engage in any bad habits, but this was not always the case. When I was in college I used chewing tobacco as a means to keep me occupied while losing weight for wrestling. I was addicted and “dipped” daily for at least a decade upon my graduation from college. My father was overweight and we made a deal with each other; I’d stop chewing tobacco and he’d lose the 80 pounds that he needed to achieve a healthy weight. I was able to quit cold turkey and my father was not able to lose the necessary weight and met his demise 15 years ago. Behavior: Chewing TobaccoShort Term Benefits/Risks: Feels good, catch a buzz and suppresses appetite. Sores in the mouth, yellow teeth and bad breath. Long Term Benefits/Risks: Stomach, throat and mouth irritation and cancer risks are significantly increased. The cost of a tin of tobacco has risen dramatically making its use fiscally unattractive. There are no long term benefits to using tobacco of any kind.Changing behaviors is not an easy task, especially when the behavior involves an addictive substance. There needs to be continued motivation adopted by the participant to be successful. A good support network in tantamount to the success of the change. If others in your circle are participating in the behavior that one wishes to change, the task becomes even more difficult to achieve. Reference:Bryant, C. X., Ph.D., & Green, D. J. (2012). Essentials of Exercise Science for Fitness Professionals. American Council on Exercise. ISBN 9781890720315. 4851 Paramount Drive, San Diego, CA, 92123
