I've hesitated to post this until at least a few weeks into the new year. I want to say Happy New Year. For those of us that work and damn near live at the gym, health club etc. this is our busy time of year. The new year's resolutions of getting fit, losing weight, eating better and the like is all over the place. We welcome you newcomers and the ones who fell off before the spring of last year.
Many who start; have good intentions on sticking with their fitness goals and many do. Rather it's getting fit for that spring wedding or event there will be challenges. We all know that there are a few who just do not, and will not stick to their goals and many factors play into that. Unrealistic goals, far as the time to achieve the goal and the actual work that will have to go into one's fitness plans.
As a fitness professional I too can get lazy with my triathlon training during the winter months when I know this is the time to lay the foundation and become more efficient in the water and on the bike (my weakest). I prefer to run, lift weights, crossfit type workouts, do and mind and body exercises, but my challenge is the triathlon. I have been an armature triathlete for 4 years now and it is a challenge for me for which I will conquer and get better at it every year. I will not stop training, not even the bursitis in my right heel that Ive seemed to inherit will stop me. As a matter of fact the bursitis in my heel has gotten me on the bike and back in the pool perfecting my skills.
In other words it's not easy, but you have to really want it and understand that it just will not happen overnight. I will not be ready to compete until June and my event is in July so I work on it now. Most of you need to lose 10, 20, 30+ pounds and It will not happen overnight. It might take 3 ,6 ,9 months or a year to lose the weight. It might take 6-8 weeks to change your eating habits and want to continue going to the gym. It might take just as much time to realize that what you have been doing in the past just doesn't work or work anymore. Get up, get over it and move on! Stop dragging your feet and embrace the fact that it just might take some time or this will now have to become a lifestyle change.
I am witnessing many not wanting to change the workout that hasn't given them results since 1980, I see many who feel that since they have given up red meat and eat only chicken and fish, that eating fried chicken breast and fried fish is okay. WHAT?! I see many overweight men who refuse to do any cardiovascular exercise and head straight to the weights wonder why they still have a "pot belly" or "man boobs". I also see many black women (which I will discuss in another bolg in the next few weeks) who refuse cardiovascular exercises for two main reasons: they do not want to sweat and mess up their hair or loose their butts. Most of these women and most men have high blood pressure and in some cases are type II diabetic. WHAT!? I don't advocate women cutting their hair short or anyone doing anything that will put you in greater risk of injury, but you have to put your "QUALITY OF LIFE" as your main reason for change.
As we enter the 3rd week of the new year, I see the excuses (I don't entertain excuses) and the likely hood of many dropping out of the gym already. I don't mind the motivation being that spring wedding, or fitness event or summer vacation that brings you into the gym. What about the day, week, months or year after (especially you soon-to-be newlyweds)? You will be making the same fitness goal next year if you aren't ready for change. I see the ones who are really ready to make that change also and sticking with it. Why? Because it has to be a lifestyle change. A CHANGE!
Realize the big picture, get your mind right and are you ready for change?
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