Inertia

Inertia: the tendency of a body at rest to stay at rest or a body in motion to stay in motion in a straight line unless disturbed by an external force. Resistance to motion, action or change.

Have you ever noticed when you lack energy, interest or desire, it tends to become an endless spiral downward? Once you are out of shape, it’s easier to stay out of shape. Once you make excuses not to workout, the excuses come fast and furious time and time again. Getting the body in motion once again is a challenge.

“A body staying in motion in a straight line…” can also be read; a body continuing to do the same routine. This is not necessarily good. If your workouts are always the same pattern we know you will not improve (distance, time, conditioning). If your workouts consistently end in injury, then we know it is not beneficial to be a “body staying in motion in a straight line”. It’s the same old thing yielding the same old thing.

“Unless disturbed by an external force…” can be read – until something different is done or something is done to you. Sometimes we choose different workouts or routines, sometimes injuries force a change.

So the knowledge and ability to overcome inertia is essential as an athlete. It is a key to coming back from injuries. It is a key so we don’t repeat mistakes. It is a key for us to have break-through performances.

Recognition. First, we need to recognize when inertia is a problem. What are some possible indicators? Injuries, weight gain, lack of enthusiasm, mileage stagnation or decline, quality runs decreasing in frequency, lack of improvement, boredom with workouts are just a few indicators. This is a critical reason for keeping a log of some type for recording your workouts and any comments about the workouts.
Analysis. Second, analyze whether any of these symptoms are from repeating patterns. If it is from deliberate choice – i.e. choosing to take some time off – it is not concern. On the other hand, if you see a pattern in your workouts, comments, weight or enthusiasm it is significant. It is time to overcome that “body in motion” auto-pilot that got you where you are.
Action. Third, commit to take action. Staleness, boredom, decrease in competitive desire may require time off or a dramatic change in your pattern of workouts. Extended “down” weeks in mileage or intensity may require revamping workouts. Coming back from injuries can seem daunting so we procrastinate getting going. Taking action or different action is easier said than done. Inertia has ways of keeping our bodies in the same motion (habit) or not in motion.

So, what else can you do? Accept the fact that most of us cannot do it on our own. (If we “coulda” we already “woulda”!) Get an outside opinion – like a coach. Enlist friends, family, other athletes to help. Social support and peer pressure can be instrumental in overcoming inertia.

• Enlist their help to keep your diet right. Be sure to tell them HOW you want them to help. You may respond best to nagging; someone else through gentle reminders; and yet another from keeping the right foods around (removing temptations).
• Enlist their help to workout with you. Make a “workout date” with a friend.
• Enlist even those who aren’t able to workout with you. Other family members can ride a bike while you run for instance.
• Ask how others overcame barriers. No one person has all the answers.

Overcoming inertia effects us all at one time or another. There are as many solutions as there are people. Seek and share. Above all, keep taking action!