Hi guys, Kris from Custom Fitness here, your Amarillo personal trainer. Today we’re going to be talking about commiting to fit. If you have any questions about today’s blog, then please give us a call at (806)-322-3188
It sure seems like these days that everyone wants to change the way their body looks, or feels, or sometimes both. The problem comes when the way to make those goals a reality appear harder or more intense than what we want. It’s an issue of having a disconnect between what we want and what we are willing to do to get those results.
There is a wealth of information out these days and if all it took was education, well, let me just say that America would be the most fit and healthy nation there is. The problem is that it takes much more than knowledge. It takes action and an effective plan. The information that you’ve been searching on weight loss or healthy eating, amongst other things may or may not be correct.
You see, most of the information and programs out there have been created because they worked for one person or a small group of people and while that is great, that doesn’t mean it’s the right information or program for you, your body, or your goals.
If I were to have a client tell me that their goal was to lose weight and I were to give them a workout and nutrition plan to make them gain more muscle than they were losing fat, that wouldn’t be the right information or program for that person. On the other hand, how many times have you found that “perfect” book or program, maybe done it once or twice and then stopped? Especially in this digital age, it’s too easy to purchase something when we’re chilling out for the night and happen to be scrolling through our phone only to figure out later that we really were not willing to do that program in the first place.
So if finding a generic online program or a new book isn’t the answer, what is? How do we begin making changes (and stick with them) to reach our fitness and health goals? First, we have to understand that fitness starts in your mind. Ask any athlete or fit person what the number one secret is to their success at fitness, and they will tell you it is commitment.
Commitment means that you are in it for the long haul. Commitment rises above bad days, hectic schedules and volatile emotions. Commitment hangs in there when you don’t want to do it, when you don’t feel like doing it and when you don’t have time to do it. Trust me, we all go through these issues and it’s your commitment or dedication to the outcome that will drive you forward. True commitment is not determined by how you feel. It isn’t about emotion. It is determined by your integrity and on living for the purpose you have set for yourself.
Committing to be fit eliminates the weekend warrior syndrome. You may know a weekend warrior. They are the person who does very little physical exercise during the week, but then when the weekend arrives, they blast out of the gate like a stallion on Derby Day. In a desperate attempt to make up for their sedentary behavior and poor nutrition all week, they go to the gym or hit the pavement, pushing themselves to the limit.
The result, however, is not what they expect. It is likely they will end up with an injury, due to the fact that the muscles, tendons and joints are not conditioned for the intensity of the exercises they are performing. Keep in mind that when you take a break from working out your muscles will begin to lose tone, strength and flexibility over a 5-7 day period. That means that taking 5 days off each week only causes you to work away from your goals rather than towards them.
This weekend warrior is also not working towards getting in shape because they aren’t committed to the process. Physical fitness is a direct result of consistency over time. And consistency requires commitment. It takes consistent, near-daily exercise to cause your body to make the changes that bring about improved levels of health and fitness.
For example, your joints and tendons will strengthen, your aerobic base will improve as your body becomes more efficient at utilizing oxygen and ridding itself of carbon dioxide, leading to an increase in endurance all due to consistency of exercise.
When you’re doing something consistently it’s as important, or maybe even more important, than what you are actually doing (as long as it’s something your body can physically handle). Even if you are just doing low intensity walking, doing it every day is infinitely better than doing something more strenuous only occasionally. The real rewards come when you not only commit to higher intensity workouts – don’t let those words scare you, the body must be pushed to higher limitations (without going over) in order to create change – but you also must commit to being consistent with those workouts. In other words, it’s time to quit making excuses why you can’t and time to start finding reasons why you can.
Perhaps it’s time to change your pattern of inconsistency and commit yourself to your purpose. Setting specific goals is the first step in this process. Without a specific goal in mind, the work it’s going to take to get there won’t seem like it’s worth the effort. If you don’t have a destination, why are you on a journey? In order to get fit, you do not need expensive clothes, fancy home-gym equipment or a complicated workout plan. What you need is commitment. If you are committed, the rest of the pieces will fall into place.
You can start today. Even if you were “supposed” to start yesterday. Don’t overthink this. Don’t cast judgment on what is in the past. Just start, and commit to doing something every single day.
Are you committed to get fit? If you’re wanting the accountability and help with creating an action plan to see results, or are wanting to someone to help create a workout plan to push you to your greatest potential, then that’s what we’re here for. Our trainers are here to look out for you and make sure that you are meeting your goals in a safe way. At Custom Fitness, we customize a plan for you. We sit down with you and find out what your needs are and then build a health and fitness plan around that. We have an entire team of dedicated professionals to help you with your health and fitness goals. To get your consultation set up, give us a call at 806-322-3188 or email us at info@customfitness.biz At Custom Fitness, we are YOUR personal trainers in Amarillo, Texas. Have a great day.