Where there's a will

What we think, act and say eventually becomes reality. When we want to get into shape we have to do the same, think it, say it and most importantly- do it. Say I will get into top shape- and do something about it! You could join the gym, change your eating habits or get serious exercise regime. Make that first step! Get your trainers out of the cupboard and hit the road or the gym. Once you’ve done that, your thoughts, words and actions become I am getting back into shape. 

This is reality, it exists in the now. That is not only achievable, it is being achieved.

While positive thinking and attitudes go a long way towards achieving your goals,  remember that it still takes time and effort to make them reality. Remain focused, keep your eye on you goal. You have to feel it, see it and believe it. 

There may be setbacks, you may stray from the path, cheat on the diet or skip a workout, often through no fault of your own but  you have to realise that it happens to everyone, me included and that it’s not the end of the road but just a short detour. A momentary lapse of focus is no reason to quit, you’re only one meal or one workout away from back on track and your goal is still within your reach!

Keep going!

‎”Once you learn to quit, it becomes a habit…. KEEP GOING!!”

Set 2 or 3 hours aside EVERY week in which to work out and STICK with it. Your long term health and fitness are more important to you than Eastenders or your friends down the pub.

Make this the year that you don't quit.  It's not always easy, I know only too well, but the best gift you can give both yourself and your family is a fit and healthy future! 

No more excuses 2012!

 2011 has been and gone and along with it another chance has passed for you to get into the kind of shape and condition you can be proud of. Every year at this time we make new years resolutions with regard to every imaginable improvement to ourselves and our lifestyles, we resolve to drink and smoke less, improve our minds, get that new job or start that new business, spend less time at work and more time with our families and perhaps the most popular resolution- start exercising and getting into the kind of shape that people notice and makes you feel good about yourself, not to mention delaying future health problems and old age!

January is the time when the gym is flooded with what we regular trainers call the “wannabees”, the new years resolutionists. They join the gym in their hundreds and the equipment becomes unusable as they attempt to find their way around and figure out how everything works, they arrive in their newly purchased, fashionable workout gear and squeaky clean trainers with little ides about where to start or what to do. Worse of all, they arrive armed with the latest copy of their favourite men's or women's magazine which contains yet another ludicrous workout that serves little purpose other than to fill the pages (they have to come up with a different training article for every issue don’t they?)

Thankfully all is not lost, and by mid February most have returned to the comfort of their couches with a different kind of six-pack and a pizza and we get our gyms back to “normal” and continue with our daily battle in the war against flab. Most people who join a gym or start a workout program will not last the first three weeks- even the most enthusiastic- which is how the gyms make their money without having to expand their facilities. You pay for 6 months up front, disappear after 3 weeks and become their "perfect member".  Failure? They couldn't even last one month on an exercise programme.  Just 3 hours a week to spare at the most!

At some stage or another we all fall into a rut and let ourselves go and come up with all sorts of excuses as to why we don’t look after our bodies like “I’m too tired after working full time” (you wouldn’t be so tired if you were in better shape) or ”I don’t have anyone to take care of the kids” (most gyms have child care facilities and besides, you’ll be instilling a good habit in your children leading by example) and the the worst of all “I’m happy the way I am” (Yeah right, I'm sure you looked amazing in the changing room mirror shoehorning yourself into a size 16). The truth of the matter is, the longer you leave it the tougher it gets to change it!

Forget New Year resolutions, just start, but remember as with most things in life, start sensibly and think long term. You don't need to go on a starvation diet and exercise twice a day. Get a feel for the exercises and get into a routine. Don't be too hard on yourself- like I said consistency over time is what gets results and that can't be achieved with silly fad diets and workouts.  There is no magic bullet but  investing in your health,  appearance and hence improving your self-esteem is the best present you can give to yourself and your loved ones.