It's hard to get going...there is no magic pill. But an encouraging and supportive group can make all the difference.
In fact any fitness program will do, any sensible nutrition regimine will suffice. It's my recent commitment to give away all I know on the subject (as time allows) as I believe it is a human right to be healthy. Giving it away also inspires me to stay on my own program. I'm not that altruistic :(
I began as an amateur cyclist in the late 1980's and then formally in the 90's as a U.S Army Master Fitness Trainer. Survival Fitness has been one my areas of focus for over 20 years now...yes I'm old. While I may not have my own gym, protein drink, or patented fitness routine, I've helped police, military members, amateur athletes and regular people accomplish and even exceed their fitness goals.
I have been applying dietary and fitness techniques for myself (See below Police Academy Fitness Award circa 2000 and the latest results from a period of laziness), or others using tailored fitness programs, injury recovery routines, competition calendars and nutrition plans. That concludes the narcissism.
I really want to focus on the many people that struggle with personal health and fitness. Sadly, many of those who know the rudimentary basics, often convey aires of mystery surrounding the fitness process. It's not a mystery. Fitness is simple...just not easy.
It also doesn't have to be some shallow, narcissistic naval gazing endeavor. I routinely pull my three year old daughter in a small trailer behind my mountain bike to the park, where I commence to perform a burpee, plank, crunches circuit as she negotiates the playground...an activity that we both enjoy very much. I also provide my friends with personalized fitness calendars.
Although I go back and forth between really fit and half-assed healthy, I've been very fortunate and healthy over the years. My fitness narcissism is relatively moderate but to my dismay, one of my own friends was struggling horribly and failed a fitness test two weeks ago.
Over the course of two years I have offered a bit of advice and even went on a few runs with him but I never fully offered my help. He was recently been advised that if he didn't pass his next physical fitness assessment he'd be cut from the section...that news upset me, most of all because I'd been grooming my own fitness with self absorbed impunity while a close friend of mine was struggling.
Since that news a month ago he's shed over 7 pounds and shaved 4 minutes off of his two mile run time...we still have a around thirty seconds to improve.
The past month before that I was eating like Al Capone on death row when my doctor told me my cholesterol levels were high. That sent me into a diet renewal and my friends recent struggle has put me on the running trail with him, on top of my own routine...the results for myself are satisfying but painful. As for my friend...we'll know in two weeks.
Which brings me to this point. I regret not giving away what has been freely given sooo...here are some basics:
First: Stick to your nutrition plan first and foremost. Remember: it takes 21 days to acquire a habit, good or bad. Hang in there!
Second: Suiting up and showing up is 90% of the battle. Once you're at the gym, in the pool or on the trail--the work out will happen. A bad workout day is like bad sex...you're still getting some :)
Lastly: Get with a group. There's power in numbers.
I believe health and fitness is a human right...ask any question anytime.
Sources: U.S. Army FM 7-22 Army Physical Readiness Training and FM 21-20 Physical Fitness Training (slightly dated on new recovery and dietary trends). These two books have a wealth of basic fitness and nutrition education and are free to download on-line.
M. Cordoni
