Under the surface, every body is built the same. Each of us has an
athlete's body buried down there somewhere -- and we all have the
ability to move like athletes. Some of us are just ahead of others in
terms of our fitness progress. However, with appropriate nutrition,
sleep and exercise, everyone can jump and move just like athletes do.
This is how life is meant to be played, and our bodies are built for
exactly this kind of movement!
Before
you begin a training regimen, it is important to determine your
specific training goals. Are you a professional athlete training to
increase your level of performance? Are you a general health-and-fitness
enthusiast who wants to slim down and feel great? Are you a physical
laborer who wants a permanent solution for your back pain so you can
start feeling strong and healthy again? Are you seriously overweight,
and ready to make and stick to a life-changing commitment?
Only
after you have determined your major health and/or fitness concern can
you begin working toward that goal. For example, it wouldn't be very
productive to train like a bodybuilder and put on a lot of nonfunctional
muscle that weighs a ton if you had a goal to compete as a professional
boxer. It is essential to identify your primary goal and remain focused
on it without getting sidetracked into a training agenda that will only
detour your success.
You must be specific when you design your
training program, ensuring that it will accomplish the specific things
you desire from it. Be clear and precise with your goals. Have a
realistic timeframe. How much time are you willing to commit to this
exercise program -- per day, per week, per month? What is the best time
of day to fit exercise into your busy schedule? Determine a time that
will work, and adhere to it -- no excuses. Admit honestly how far you
are from achieving this goal, so you can gauge how long it's going to
take to get from your starting point to that goal.
The most
important thing is to design a program that is specifically tailored to
your needs. A general one-size-fits-all plan, or one created for another
individual, will not necessarily work for you. Your level and ability
are different from others', as are your goals. So don't look to train
like anyone else, and don't expect others to train like you.
Once you've identified your goals and designed a program to help you accomplish them, all that's left is to begin!
Once you've identified your goals and designed a program to help you accomplish them, all that's left is to begin!