Do you train harder than a 3 year old?

Intensity. I have written many articles on the topic. During my days working for a gym, I have seen people actually doing sets while holding and talking on a cell phone, or reading a magazine. That is not intense.

Unfortunately, our bodies don’t like to change. Let me correct that – they don’t like to change for the better.

If you are not challenging yourself past the realm of what is comfortable, you are not going to trigger change. Think about it, how many people do you see who go to a gym consistently – and don’t look any different?… and in some case, start to look worse.

We are all human. Even I have fell victim to the devil on my shoulder who convinces me to take it easy today because I am tired. I try to remind myself that if my heart rate doesn’t reach at least 135 bpm, I am wasting my time.

The most common form of cardio is walking on a treadmill. That is why commercial gyms have rows, upon rows of them to appeal to the masses. Doesn’t mean it’s better, it’s just easier than to try to educate everyone. Don’t get me wrong, treadmills have their place…. rehabbing, sprinting, jogging, etc. But the key is intensity, not the duration.

It truly never hit me how much it was wasting my time until a few weeks ago. It was a beautiful Sunday morning and I decided to take my daughter, Juliana, for a ride in her wagon to get a coffee for myself and a couple of munchkins for her at Dunkin Donuts (yes, her father the personal trainer feeds his daughter munchkins!….I’m a trainer not a monster….. plus you try saying no to those blue eyes).

After about 10 feet, she decided she no longer wants to ride in her wagon and wants to walk. I start to freak because with her little legs it’s going to take forever to get there and if I don’t have my caffeine fix within 10 minutes of me rolling out of bed – look out! So, anyone who has a 3 year old knows I lost that argument.

So, we are walking, and walking, and walking. I keep asking – “Juliana, you tired? Want to ride in the wagon?”. Every time I ask, she replies -“No, I want to walk”. We get to Dunkin Donuts. I get my coffee, she re-fuels on munchkins.

On the way back – “Juliana, want to ride in the wagon?”. “No, I want to walk” – she replies.
We finally get home, and I realize that my 3 year old daughter just walked over a mile and a half, with those tiny legs. Without complaint.

The takeaway is, if your workout is something that a 3 year old can do without complaint, it may be time to re-evaluate your intensity and start challenging yourself.