Fitness and weight loss

It isn't rocket science.

Two underlying prinicples, three functional areas, one result.

The process begins with commitment and is brought to life through hard work. To make the commitment you must understand that taking this path means devoting the time necessary to make it happen. Oh, I've heard the refrain "But I just don't have time" so often. What rubbish!

The busiest professional, the most harried working parent, the most overwhelmed students, ALL have more than enough time in the week to devote to a simple workout schedule. What is lacking is the will to commit to a different way of living and then sticking to it tenaciously.

Sometimes this means being a bit of a jerk--with freinds, family, and co-workers. But...to make it happen, your life MUST include dedicated workout time which is non-negotiable. When you begin to make compromises---when you begin to slip away from it---that is the path to failure which some many who have tried have found themselves on.

Exercise time is carved in stone tablets. Emergencies? Sure. Exceptions? Well...ok, things happen, but those circumstances should be rare and...exceptional.

Set up an exercise schedule. Build the rest of your life around it.

Once the commitment is made, then it is time-for-work. As a society we are always looking for time-savers, for ways to get the results easier, quicker, cheaper. But, with fitness, there are no short-cuts. There is no substitute for simple, old-fashioned hard work. To make significant changes you will have to put forth significant effort. If, as in my case, you waited until well into your middle years to get started, then you'll have to work even harder. But the price of leading a sedentary lifestyle for years is sweat and toil, and there's just no getting around it.

BUT: it doesn't have to be all misery. In fact, nearly every gym out there offers a wide array of programs and services to help distract you fom just how much pain you are enduring to get into shape. I am particualry sold on group fitness programs in general and BODYPUMP in particlar. The group-x environment allows you to draw energy from the room, and if your lucky (as I have been) from instructors who will inspire and motivate you.

NEXT: Make your heart beat. Pick up heavy stuff. Choose the right fuel.