A business dictionary defines empowerment as “a practice of
sharing information, rewards, and power with people
so that they can take initiative and make decisions to solve problems and improve performance. Empowerment
is based on the idea that giving people skills, resources, authority, opportunity, motivation, as well holding them
responsible and accountable for
outcomes of their actions, will contribute to their competence and satisfaction.”
Which
means that, empowerment is what gives us the control to change our lives. As
fitness professional myself, I have been guided by this ability to make people
recognize their power within. Every time I give a class, work with a client or
give a seminar or workshop, I encourage the belief that they can start shaping
a new, more powerful self by controlling the destiny of their bodies’ well
being. This new vision in wellness prompted me to leave a solid marketing and
advertising career and fulfill a rewarding life passion.
Empowerment is necessary for fitness pros, since
it conveys our true mission of guiding people to better condition their bodies
for daily life. We need to ignite their passion of finding that internal spark
that is going to transform them into healthier selves. And, without this, we
merely become cheerleaders or talent show stars. As fitness professionals we
have to realize that is not about us. But, about our students, that are coming
to us for proper guidance and sound instruction. We must go beyond providing
just good fitness knowledge. We must assure them that there is only one way to
achieve changes: working chronically. Each student is at a unique fitness
level. But, the intensity of their effort should be the same; which is, going
past their comfort zone, but, not their capacity zone. We should care about
their progress and their desire to learn. We must correct them and explain them
why they needed to correct form or performance so they can work on it when they
are not under our care. We should create independent individuals who can
continue spreading the empowerment light onto others. Then, our work as leader will
be worth it.
Empowerment comes when
you recognize that it all start by believing. Believing that, you
deserve good health. Believing that, you have the inner power to change your
body. Listen to your own excuses and recognize that they are worthless. If you
are in control of your body, you will be in control of your life and your
destiny. Nobody else is going to do it but you…because you believed. Let it be
no doubt. Be happy to know that, it is in the journey that we find joy.
Then, you have to make
a commitment, not with the instructor, not with your family or friends;
but, with your body. You are going to nurture it with the right food, proper
breathing patterns, regular conditioning activities, and adequate resting time.
You don’t have to announce it to the world; but, keep it to yourself. That way,
you don’t focus on nobody else’s expectations of what changes you need. Nor you
allow room for unconscious sabotage like: “let’s go to shopping”, “let’s go eat
at the new restaurant”, “don’t workout now, come with me to see a movie”. And,
beware of self-sabotage, when you think you could get away with it and your
body will not notice. It will.
Following, you have to
develop the consistency of working on a daily fitness routine. You can
do so, by taking advantage of every free time available to do, even the
shortest or simplest exercise. From 60 abdominal crunches, which will take
about 60 minutes; to climbing the stairs two steps at a time. Every time is a
great opportunity to do something beneficial to your health! Focus on three
mayor areas of body conditioning (aerobic, toning, flexibility) with emphasis
in abdominal work. Develop your own journal to keep track of your activities
and assess your performance to improve accordingly.
Finally, accept accountability
for the progress and results you get. Don’t blame the office, the traffic, your
laziness, or any other external factor for not being in control. Remember: “It
is YOUR body.”
As you can see, instructors
and students can be on their way of owning their health if they recognizing
that it is nobody else’s responsibility but theirs to be in the best physical
condition. The present physical state of our students truly is because of the
options they have had selected along the way. So we have to guide them to
choose wisely based on reliable advice. It is the instructor responsibility to
deliver the safest progressive challenges for the students to work with. Namaste.
www.LucilaFit.com
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