Happy New Year!

Before I begin this week’s blog I want to start off by wishing every single one of you the absolute best in 2018. I hope that you are able to achieve your dreams, accomplish your goals and reach a new level of success with your health, family and finances in the New Year.

I’ve never really been the type of person to make New Year’s Resolutions. I guess I just never understood the reason to wait until a certain date on the calendar to make a change in my lifestyle that I was not happy with. With that said I do understand the reasoning behind these resolutions and why so many people make them at the beginning of a fresh new year. After all, I do work in the fitness industry and one of the most popular resolutions that people make each year is to become more fit, active and overall healthy.

Cue the New Year’s Crowd

It’s no secret that gyms across the world are about to become much busier during the next few weeks due to the increase of New Year’s Resolutioners. And it’s to be expected that within a couple of months from now that these same gyms will begin to empty out again once the majority of these Resolutioners quit or give up on their health and fitness goals. This temporary influx of new gym members has become an annual annoyance to the average gym rat and workout junkie. And in no place has this become more apparent in the last decade then on Social Media.

Computer Quarterbacks

If you follow me on Instagram or belong to our Facebook Group Page, you’ll know that I’m a huge advocate against Online Bullying. I think it’s absolutely disgusting to hurt, ridicule, shame, put down and/or judge someone while hiding behind a computer screen from the comfort of one’s home. Not having to deal with face to face confrontation or being held accountable for their actions, allows for the cyber world to be a perfect environment for these bullies to excel at tormenting others.

I’ve Got Enemies

As a self proclaimed iron addict, I can understand the annoyance and frustration when my fitness sanctuary has become infested with others that are either in my way or have no clue as to what they’re doing. But why would this ever give me the right to lash out and poke fun at these people through my Social Media Platforms?!?!?!?

By no means am I suggesting that I’m perfect and always nice to every person that I meet and/or interact with. In the past, I’ve made it widely apparent that I do take issue with fake trainers, wannabe Instagram stars, social media narcissists, and shameless selfie takers. I also hate when people give unsolicited advice about diet and training when it’s quite obvious that they themselves don’t practice what they preach on a daily basis. However in my defence, I’ve never singled out any of these people for the way that they act or conduct themselves online for the world to see.

Be a Leader, Not a Follower

As fitness leaders I believe it’s our job to try and put an end to the negative energy, adverse posts and hurtful comments that are made online at the expense of beginners who are trying to better themselves through diet and exercise. Yes, it’s true that most people have no clue as to what they are doing in the gym and that the general population have very little knowledge about proper nutrition. However just because these people may not have all the necessary tools in place to know exactly what they are doing or how to do it, does not give anyone the right to ostracize them. If you feel the same way as I do and if you happen to stumble upon a video or photo making fun of someone that has been posted on one of your friend’s social media outlets, then express your distaste for this post. I guarantee that if you set the tone that you will not stand for this type of  behaviour, others will follow too and express their own disgust for any bullying and hateful content that is posted online.

My Resolution

As I mentioned at the beginning of this week’s blog, I don’t make New Year’s Resolutions. But I’m going to contradict myself and make one this year. And the resolution I’m going to make is to become more of a voice for those who are a bit self conscious about their bodies and feel intimidated to step foot in a gym. As a trainer it’s my job to help people get in shape. But as a fitness professional I believe I also have a duty to ensure that these people don’t feel poorly about themselves because of the way they look and/or might not know exactly what they are doing when it comes to diet and exercise. Everyone starts from somewhere and some people require more assistance then others to succeed in life.

For myself personally, I will continue to teach, I will continue to motivate, and in 2018 I will try my absolute best to stand up for others that might not be able to stand up for themselves. So any bullies, regardless if you’re online or in the gym, be warned, I’m watching you.

Yours in Good Health,

Nick Cosgrove
Forever Fit Performance