When Fitness is a Lifestyle

I cannot believe that summer is almost over! The kids are back in school, and things can get back to normal (somewhat). Do you find that once you get out of a routine, it’s very hard to get back into the swing of things? I finally finished going through the “What makes you tick” email. We will get to it shortly.

First let’s talk about “vision”.  I love the quote “Vision is not seeing things as they are, but as they will be”. Without a vision, getting up at 5:30 in the morning to exercise makes no sense. Without vision eating everything in sight has no consequence. If you see yourself as overweight and out of shape, without a vision of what it would be like to be at a healthy weight and have an abundance of energy seems doomed.

When I was in college, I could picture in my mind what I was going to be doing when I finished school. I saw myself helping people. Those pictures in my mind kept me motivated to exceed in school. I wasn't a very good student in school prior to that point. That's because I never really had a vision of why I was doing it, and how would it affect my life.

How about you? What visions do you have for yourself personally, financially, physically? Or are you like most people and have no vision? What do you have your eyes on? Or are you just kind of coasting along taking things as they come? Do you think Nelson Mandela, Ben Franklin or Bill Gates had a strong vision of what they wanted? Of course they did!!

Take one part of your life, for example. Let’s say your health and well-being. Do you see yourself the same a month from now? Six months from now? Ten years from now? Is your vision filled with prescription medication, physical ailments, pain and suffering? Or do you see yourself in better shape? Put in your mind what it will look and feel like to have a stronger body and spirit. Now ask your self, what am I doing to get there? You can ignore the warning signs, and continue your life with no vision. I want you to write down your vision for the next 5 years. So when you are tempted to be a slacker, you can see what the bigger picture is. Follow your dreams...live the life you were meant to have.

If I had known I was going to live this long I would have taken better care of myself. – Author Unknown

Again, I want to thank all of you who responded to my “What Makes you Tick” email. I appreciate your honesty, and allowing me to share in the intimate details of your life. Sometimes it’s scary to dig up emotional or physical issues.

Let’s look at the top reasons why people do not stick with an exercise program:

1. Time: Of course a lack of it! Set aside 20 to 30 minutes a day to work in the yard, go for a walk around the neighborhood. Do some fitness ball exercises. So many people think it’s an hour of exercise or nothing. I would take 5 minutes over nothing!! Turn the TV off, or take small breaks throughout the day. A little bit here and there is all it takes.

2. Emotional Eating: This is such a big problem! My recommendation is to seek professional help or read Linda Spangles book “Life is Hard, Food is Easy” at http://www.foodiseasy.com/.  Reaching your ideal weight without addressing emotional eating problems will be very difficult.

3. Last but not least -  Immediate gratification: People want fast results. Get it now, pay for it later. I do not want to burst anyone’s bubble, but one pound of fat is holding on to 3500 calories. In order for that pound of fat to disappear you would need to burn an additional 3500 calories or decrease your caloric intake to burn that excess over a number of days. A good rule of thumb is that you can safely lose one to two pounds of fat per week. If you or someone you know is losing more than that, they are not losing fat. They are losing water and lean tissue.

Secrets of success

1. The number one reason people stuck with their program was they wanted to feel better. After starting their program, they noticed an improvement in how they felt. Most people never realized how lousy they felt before starting the program. Remember, human beings are pleasure seekers and pain avoiders. If something makes you feel good (and it’s healthy) why would you want to stop?

2. Health issues were a close second. When you are faced with the realization that you are ultimately responsible for your own health and well being, it's time to get serious about getting in shape. Many of my client’s are referred by their doctor. Sometimes that is when it sinks in that all the years of abusing your body has caught up to you. Fear is sometimes a good motivator.

3. Last but not least, vanity plays a role in getting into shape. High school reunions, getting back into the dating scene, a vacation to the Bahamas, or many other things. We never want to be embarrassed by how we look. When I was overweight, I always wore black clothes to hide my size. I wish people would realize that you are not what you weigh.

The bottom line is the people who stick to an exercise program have a vision and a plan of attack. To have a vision without a plan is like having a plane ticket without the plane or a destination to go to. They have a vision of improving their health, and enjoying the precious time they have on earth. The people who seek the immediate fix and go from one weight loss scam to the next are lacking vision and a plan. Remember “fail to plan, plan to fail”

“Vision is not seeing things as they are, but as they will be”

Client of the Month
Cassie Hughes

Cassie has done a great job! Cassie and her mom have been coming into Functional Conditioning since December 2003. Cassie works hard, and really enjoys our boxing sessions. I enjoy our sessions too, and look forward to her future successes!