Create Your Fittest Future Self

The concept of creating a “future fitter self” can feel — at best — overwhelming and — at worst — like some impossible feat not worth contemplating. But “Finding Your Fit” doesn’t have to be discouraging or onerous. The trick is to match your workout to your personality!

Don’t try to fit a round peg into a square hole! You might be able to follow someone else’s program for a month, but long term you need an individualized approach. It doesn’t matter what works for your sister or favourite celebrity — it only matters what works for you! Be confident in your own fitness lane. Find what works for you! Do you!

What personality are YOU?

Are you a home body? Gym bunny? Competitive athletic gym bunny? Time-crunched multi-tasker?

Time-Crunched Multi-Tasker

This personality consistently feels too busy to work out — pulled in a million directions by family, friends, and work — and can’t contemplate getting to the gym or a structured exercise class.

At least for now, life has to be your gym. Count your steps, take the stairs, walk at lunch or on conference calls, or take a resistance band to work and exercise at your desk.

Homebody

Homebodies hate the vibe of most gyms, dislike working out in front of people, or hate wasting time getting to and from the gym but still want an intense workout. While all homebodies work out at home, home gyms vary dramatically depending on budget and space — from as simple as dumbbells and floor space to as expensive as a treadmill and full body-weight equipment.

Gym Bunny

Gym bunnies enjoy being with others, thrive on friendly competition, find designated “workout areas” like the gym motivating, and require variety to stay “into” their workout.

Competitive-Athletic Gym Bunny

Competitive-athletic gym bunnies typically identify with the gym bunny preferences but particularly enjoy being “competitive” or training surrounded by others. They enjoy the structured nature of the gym and are often either using the gym to train for a competitive sport or attending a competitive gym such as CrossFit (where stats and progress are measured).

Final thoughts
Remember that your “personality” is mutable. Your fittest future self’s personality might be very different from that of your current self. Maybe you want to work out at a gym but are too self-conscious. No problem. Your current self can work out at home knowing that taking steps to be active will allow your future self to feel strong and self-confident enough to get to the gym.

Embrace that creating your future you is an active process — it will not just “happen.” Create the future you by taking steps now. The only moment you have control over is this one. Figure out what you can do today that will take you closer to your goal.

Finally, let go of “perfect” — embrace consistency. When you fall off your health horse — you will; you are human — course correct as quickly as possible, learn from the fall, and get right back on your health plan!

Katheen Trotter holds an M.Sc. in Exercise Science from the University of Toronto and a nutrition diploma from the Canadian School of Natural Nutrition, and she is a C.H.E.K. Level 3 trainer, a Level 2 Fascial Stretch Therapist, and a certified Pilates Equipment Specialist.

Kathleen’s recent highlights include being named one of Canada’s most influential fitness professionals. Her latest book “Your Fittest Future Self,” is on shelves now. Visit: www.kathleentrotter.com

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