It's the first week of a New Year and the parking lots of most gyms across the country are full of what I call "The Resolutes."
Yep, the Resolutes start off the year in a mad rush to be fit, lose weight and finally accomplish the health goals that have alluded them for ...years.
Whereas, we, "The Regulars", have to jockey for a parking spot, wait on lines for the cardio equipment and traverse through throngs of newbie's sipping their lattes and trying to figure out how the reverse fly machine works.
No matter...it's fair -- we all pay a fee for the membership.
But, what if the Gym charged you for the days you didn't show up? Would that change the equation? What if you had to pay, say $5 each time you missed going to the gym?
Gym-Pact is an app launched a few years ago that did just that, fined you for not making it to the gym. The money is collected from the missing folks and divvied up between those registered on the app that did meet their gym attendance commitments.
Designers of games and apps, as well as sports psychologists continually study the psychological reward/punishment triggers. There is solid evidence that for some folks, incentive systems do work. It's the old "carrot and stick" strategy.
Would an incentive or punishment system work for you? Think hard about the reasons why you want to get healthy and fit and how to encourage yourself to stick with it. I encourage my clients to name their why- "120/80" and "my unborn grandchild" are popular themes.
Need some help staying with your commitment to yourself? A good fitness coach understands you, your roadblocks and how to help you accomplish your goals. No stick required. Give me a call!