Real Life of Fitness

April 10, 2009

I don't know who created the mantra "keeping it real" - probably some hip hop star from the early 90's - but I'm a fan when it comes to planning out a fitness lifestyle. The truth is, most people only think about one immediate goal. It could be 15 pounds, 2 inches, or for the more athletic-minded folks, running 20 plus miles and cutting sprint times. But if you're really interested in seeing far into your fitness future, there are some basic realities you need to keep in mind.

If you don't use it, you lose it. I hope you know that if you stop exercising and eating healthy, you're bound to gain the weight back. That's not rocket science! There are other things to lose, however, like specific strengths. Maybe you've worked super hard through a program like P90X, and suddenly you've become a pullup master. Well, after you've finished and moved onto some other crazy fitness regiment, you can't expect to continue putting up the same rep numbers unless you're doing pullups regularly - even if you're doing other back exercises. The same goes for general skills like endurance, stamina, and speed. To maintain the same "upper limit" you have to practice!

Everybody gets bored. Yes, the gym gets boring after you do the same old routine everyday. Home fitness gets boring, too, especially if you're watching the same videos all year. It could be the repetitiveness, or maybe working out just seems less important compared to other things going on in your life. That's just how it happens.

Routine is your frienemy. We all have those people we keep as friends but secretly want to stab in the back - well, maybe just a quick jab to the kidneys. Similarly, we like routine when it keeps us consistant with our exercise habits. If your fitness routine stays the same week in and week out, however, you'll steadily see less results. That's a serious bummer.

Our bodies change as we age. Metabolisms slow down. It becomes harder to keep muscle on your bones and fat off certain places. At some point, you may not be able to do all the same activities as 5 years ago. If you really want to stay in shape, don't think you can get away with all cardio all the time. Resistance training and protein drinks will help keep meat and muscle on your body!

Yeah, I know. I'm a real downer. All my friends tell me so. The trick is not to think of these as insurmountable realities. Instead, just think of them as the "rules of the game".

First, figure out your goals and which fitness elements you want to retain most. That way, you know where your training should stay focused. If you're getting bored, or your routine is running you dry, it's time to get a little inventive and try something new! And lastly, be aware of your body. It may even help to consult with a physician or nutritionist, or even get some bloodwork done to make sense of it all.

There's no real magic formula to getting in shape and staying there. Be "real", but don't give up and plan ahead. You'll find any fitness setbacks far less disconcerting - trust me.

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About Me

I'm an entrepreneur who's steadily become interested in health, nutrition, and fitness over the last couple years. With this blog I'm hoping to keep motivated to get ripped and beyond!