Do something
positive...
 As
a new year comes around, the old phrase 'new year, new me' can be heard echoing
around every corner of the dog agility world. Are you thinking 2020 is the year to
make a positive change? Is this the season that you are going to get fitter? Run faster? Feel rejuvenated? If so, personal coach Chris Kerton has
some sensible suggestions on how you can make 2020 the best year ever in your personal and
dog agility life.
I do not care what drives
you to make a change whether it be a young dog with potential, an
upcoming wedding, a landmark birthday, health reasons or even just the start of
a new week (aka I'll start Monday syndrome). I just care that you want to do
something.
Allow me to give you a
few suggestions as to how you can make this year the one when the changes
stick.
First of all, with
anything revolving around fitness, health and nutrition, consistency is key. It
is everything.
Any program, diet plan
or health fix that is promising you a quick fix is, in my opinion, a waste of
time. Avoid these at all costs because that is all they will be to you - a cost.
Stay consistent?
Start with making small changes. For instance, If you have been eating whatever you
wanted for the past X-number of years, there is no point in suddenly going to
green beans, chicken and rice seven days a week. That is not going to be fun, and
that is not going to be sustainable. It puts an unrealistic pressure on you
and inevitably sets you up to fail.
Start small.
Create tiny habits. Maybe commit to adding a
green veg to every meal the first week. The second week commit to drinking a litre
of water a day. This way you get used to achieving all your goals. Motivation
stays high, and you will be far more likely to stay consistent with these
positive lifestyle changes.
This goes for fitness
and training, too. If you haven't exercised for a while/ever, then don't jump
into the gym and start training seven days a week.
Maybe make a commitment
to take the stairs instead of the lift. Perhaps you could give yourself a NEAT
(non-exercise activity thermogenesis) target for the day? If you are a bit more
experienced with exercise, then you can make more realistic goals suitable to
your level. But whatever they are, start small.
Make a plan
You'll find it is easier to stick to a plan than something
you've made it up as you go along. Think of when you taught your dog
to weave. You didn't set 12 weave poles out and pray to the gods of agility
that Rex would take to it like a Spaniel to water.
So here's a recap:-
If you need help making
a plan, there are people who can advise. Seek assistance from someone with the
relevant qualifications.
Set yourself goals
Motivation can often be the thing that derails people from their new plan.
It's beneficial to set yourself realistic goals for you to work towards.
I would always advise a
short term goal, a medium term goal and a long term goal.
I'd suggest making them process goals
which are all about doing the right thing, regardless of the outcome, knowing
that the right activities will lead you to your ultimate goal. Focus on the
process, something you are in control of, not the outcome, which ultimately you
might not be in control of. This applies to dog training as much as it goes for fitness.
If you plan to focus on
your fitness, a good short term goal might be to complete three sessions
focusing on fitness and health improvement for the first four weeks. They do not
all need to be physical. Some could focus on mental strength, breath-work
or passive stretching. The options are endless.
A medium term goal for
dog training might be that you'd like to be able to teach your dog to weave
independently within two months.
And a long term goal
could be that in a years time, you'd like to look back and not recognise the
person that you were. Because that can happen. It does happen. All through
small, sustainable changes.
Change your mind-set
Positivity breeds positive outcomes. Should you find
yourself feeling negative, it is important to
reframe your thoughts in a positive way. Do not allow yourself to focus
on the negative. Think of these as 'red light thoughts.' For every red light
thought, you have to find two green light thoughts.
For example, you come up to your
first course walk of the day and think 'oh this looks like a difficult course I
won't be able to do it.'
Nope, not allowed.
Instead think, 'I am looking forward to
the challenge of this course. I can practice my contacts so I know where I
need to improve.'
Yes, the course may be
hard, but overcoming difficult challenges is what makes us better. It is what
makes us stronger. The same goes for physical training. It makes us mentally and
physically more robust. You need to be challenged to realise just what you are
capable of doing. One way you can help yourself is forcing a positive mind-set
until you realise your full potential. It is a fundamental law of nature that
you get stronger only by doing difficult things.
Make it fun
Whether it be fitness or nutrition or dog agility, whatever change you hope
to implement, you need to enjoy it. Again, it comes back to consistency. You
need to want to do it or the chances are when that initial motivation dwindles,
like the last few chocolates in a Quality Street tin, so will your adherence to
the plan.
What's the best type of
exercise? The one you enjoy. Don't like spin-class? Don't
do spin-class. Can't contemplate the thought of having no carbs in your diet?
Avoid the Keto diet.
With all the things
suggested, finding suitable and appropriate help can go a long way to helping
you achieve these goals. Not all gyms are equal, just as not all coaches
and personal trainers are. Picking the right gym, PT or coach for you will increase your
chances of long-term success.
Still think this is the
year to make some big changes? Good. Now, go and do it.
I hope this small
article can help you in any changes you are planning to make.
If you have any questions, don't
hesitate to get in touch by email,
Face book or
Instagram
 About the author...
Chris Kerton is a Level 3 personal trainer and a Level 4
Strength and Conditioning coach with 15+ years coaching experience.
He competes at
Championship level (Grade 7) in the UK and has represented Team Wales for the
last three years at the WAOs. Currently he is the handler
fitness coach for Great Britain dog agility team.
He lives in Wales and
runs Karma Fitness.
First published
15th January 2020
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