Charting Your Course!

2010 is almost here!!! Have you laid out your goals for the year yet?? Naturally, this is when most will decide to make fitness a top priority. If you are one of the millions out there considering to embark on the fitness journey, I would like to give you a few things to consider before you start.

1. Fitness maybe the top priority, but you will not maximize successful unless you address the other facets of life (business, personal, spiritual, etc). Do your best and make sure the other areas aren't underwhelming or overwhelming your chances of becoming more fit. Just be realistic and "consider the entire picture". Lets face it...! Unlike the contestants on the Biggest Loser, our lives are not lived out in a "box". We have many variables that we have to consider. All I'm suggesting is that you consider ALL variables to ensure that you can set realistic goals for yourself. Once this is complete, you will be able to move forward with purpose and confidence.

2. The Cold Hard Truth: For those of you that are just starting the fitness journey, only a small % will be successful and follow through throughout the year (and beyond). (Trust me, I don't want to be the bearer of bad news however, you need to know what your up against.) Most will not make it past Valentines Day!!! Here are a few explanations (pitfalls):

a. Unrealistic goals are set
b. Injury stemming from working out too hard, too soon.
c. Overwhelmed
d. Plain laziness (again, speaking the truth here)
e. The "other variables" (read the first paragraph)

The good news here is that there doesn't have to be any pitfalls. Quite frankly, there is no reason why you can't do this (fitness success)!!!! Look yourself in the mirror and ask if "what potential pitfalls stand in my way?" From here, all you will need to do is to address each one accordingly. I was training a client lastnight and right in the middle of an exercise he stopped and said, "most of this is psychological isn't it?". This is correct!! In most cases it's our "head trash" that get in way, not our circumstances. So, look to identify YOUR potential road blocks and come up with solutions to get around them. You are probably already doing this in other areas, so just apply it to fitness.

I guess my message here has little to do with fitness and more to do with one's perspective as they start a fitness program. Fitness is not rocket science because if it was I probably wouldn't be a personal trainer :-).

It's all about aligning ourselves with the things in life that will get us to where we want to be. We all have a path and your path will be different or very similar to someone else's. Identify YOUR path to sucess and go at it step by step.

Fitness has never failed anyone, but people have failed fitness!!

Look ahead and chart your course. Its going to be a great journey!!

Rob Johnson
Owner, Trainer of Fitness Together Central Cal located in Fresno, California.