8.5 Fitness Mistakes People Make In A Down Economy

If you are in the USA, you don’t need me to tell you that the major media believes the sky is falling on our economy.  While I personally don’t see it as that dire, you might indeed be experiencing some personal hardship right now.  And even if you are doing great, you undoubtedly know someone who’s having a tough time.

So what does this have to do with fitness?

Everything.

You see, when people are threatened (in this case, economically threatened), they do some stupid things.  Some self-damaging things.  Some things that sometimes just make their problems worse.

And it’s no different when it comes to how fears of the economy impact fitness decisions.  Here are the 8.5 biggest mistakes I see people making because of money fears when it comes to their fitness.  Are you guilty of any of these?

1.  Save Money By Reducing Your Food Bill

This has to be the biggest one, so I’m listing it first.  It manifests in many ways:

• eating at McDonald’s (or equivalent) for the $1 value meal
• buying lower-quality versions of their foods at the grocery store
• skipping healthy, whole food altogether because processed/packaged foods are nearly always cheaper
• eating less
• dropping your supplements

All of these are pitifully poor eating habits and are the last thing you should do to stay healthy. Don’t save money by destroying your health.  And even worse, parents let this affect their children and end up with fat kids.

Just taking a year off from junk food will save you some money.  And learn to waste less of the high-quality food you are buying.  (for example, broccoli stalks are often thrown away but they are relatively high in protein and can be used in healthy stir frys)

2. Canceling Your Gym Membership

Ok, I know I have a great home gym.  And maybe some of you do too.  But most of you are lying to yourself if you think you can get as good a workout at home and save yourself some bucks by canceling your gym membership.  Remember, part of the WFN vision is to lift heavy weights and focus on the Big 7 (squats, deads, bench press, chins/pullups, rows, dips, military).  You’ll have a hard time doing all these at home.  Keep the gym membership.

3. Stop Investing In Knowledge

I know a lot of you are big on getting free stuff on the web.  That’s fine, and often a good use of time.  [Heck, I want you to read MY free stuff, LOL.]    But there are several great resources that will save you tons of time.  Ebooks (like the ones I promote to the right of this post) and printed books written by experts are a great investment.  For the $30 or so (sometimes less), you get decades of experience and advice in one place.

In times like these, any extra time you have needs to be spent on your professional skills (so you can keep your job or get a better one).   Most of the time, buying that $27 ebook is the best $27 you can invest.   I’ve said it before – buy something like The Truth About Abs or Burn The Fat, Feed The Muscle, and you won’t need me ever again!  Mike’s and Tom’s books each have the combination of diet and training you need.

4.  Turning to Alcohol, Cigarettes, Junk Food, or Other Bad Habits To Numb The Pain

We all have our vices we turn to when we are depressed.  And losing your job, or being afraid you will, can really get you down.  I’ll spare you the lecture, as you can probably lecture yourself.  But here’s the real secret:  turn to your training to resolve your depression.   Exercise has been proven time and again to combat emotional dips.  If you feel yourself having an extra couple of drinks at night to “calm your stress”, let me tell you right now to do sets of 25 pushups instead.  You’ll get stronger, you’ll release endorfins to feel better, and you’ll avoid vices that could make matters worse.

5. Spending Too Much Time At The Gym

Surprised I’d say that?  Well if you’ve been a reader for a while you know that I talk about maximum intensity during your workouts.  Whether you are doing 30 minute workouts or 90 minute workouts, I don’t want you to waste time.

But when your life is shaky, it’s easy for some of you to use the gym as an emotional crutch.  You feel safe there.  It’s just you and the metal.  No boss.  No spouse.  No co-workers.  It’s liberating.

But in economic times like these, you might be increasing your gym time as a way to hide from the stark reality: you need to start looking for new, meaningful work.

So get to the gym, do your workout, and get out.  No loitering.

6. Skimping On Equipment

How old are your running shoes?  I know you don’t want to drop $100 or so on a new pair, especially if you just lost your job.  And true, some of the messaging around how often you need to replace running shoes is manufacturers’ marketing.  But shoes do get old.   And less protective of your joints.

If you get injured because your feet/knees are taking a beating, you’ll be bummed (understatement).  Buy new running shoes when you need them.  It’s not worth injury.

For weight training, equipment doesn’t usually require much replacement.  But if you have a home gym, and some piece isn’t working right, make sure it’s not dangerous.  Saving a few bucks – but getting injured – is just stupid.

7. Canceling Your Trainer/Coach

I’m guessing this will be a controversial one, but let me say it anyway:  if you need a personal trainer to get results, don’t cancel them just to save some $.

You see, some people need that external motivation to get them to the gym and pushing hard.  Few of us will admit it of course.   We all like to think we have enough self-motivation to accomplish our goals.  But it’s simply not true for everyone.

Without that accountability to a trainer/coach, some of you will start skipping training sessions.  Or not working quite so hard.  Or letting your diet suffer.

You know who you are.  It’s ok.  I won’t tell anyone.  If you really are in a bind, reduce the frequency but don’t give up the trainer.

8.  Rushing To Start  A Fitness Business

Even though WFN is geared towards older beginners and intermediates, a bunch of you are really knowledgeable and experienced in the fitness world.

And it might be occurring to you that you could get a job as a personal trainer.  Or start your own gym/training programs.

Let me tell you, this is a crowded field.  And when people get laid off, anyone who’s ever lifted more than a 30 lb dumbbell thinks they can make a buck in this business.

But it’s tough.  And it doesn’t pay well.

If you are convinced you are going to do it, at least take a page from Alwyn Cosgrove (one of the authors of New Rules of Lifting and a very successful gym owner).  Check out his program at Fit Biz Revolution.  But let me be clear – I’m not recommending you drop your career for a career in fitness!

8.5.  Stop Working Out Altogether

Whether the excuse is that you need to put in more hours at work, or some combination of the first 8 mistakes I’ve listed above, some of you will simply stop working out at all.  You’ll convince yourself that “I’ll get back into it in a few weeks.”  But you won’t.  You’ll spiral into more despair.

I’m not trying to be a downer here guys.  But the sad truth is that if you let the fear (or even the reality) of economic hardship erode the progress you’ve made and give up on your fitness and health, you’ll regret it.  You’ll erode a small amount of your self-worth.  And it will be harder, as you get older, to regain what you’ve lost.

I’m sure you want to comment, right? Questions? Ask here! Disagree? Say so! Just want to show your appreciation? Make a comment or share this with a friend!

Just starting out with weightlifting? Want to get bigger muscles this winter?
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Related posts:

1. Goal Achievement For Lazy People – Start With The Right Goals
2. 2 Cardio Mistakes You’re Still Making
3. Mike Geary Interview Part 2 – Common Food Mistakes That Keep Your Abs Hidden By Fat

Tags: fitness mistakes