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Spoiled Rotten: The Big 3 Reasons for Fitness Failure
By Aaron M. Potts, ISSA CFT
"I want it now, now, now!"
Does this sound like the mind-numbing rant of a spoiled 7-year old in a toy
store? Sure it does, and if you've ever heard a similar dialogue from a child,
then you understand instinctively that the child in question is all too
accustomed to getting their way.
However, it may come as a surprise to you that adults of all ages and from all
walks of life exhibit very similar behavior on a regular basis - especially
when it comes to physical fitness!
In today's age of medicines, technologies, supplements, and highly advanced
exercise techniques, people have - quite mistakenly - been lead to believe that
they can have their most highly desired fitness results RIGHT NOW.
Read below to learn how this mistaken philosophy is applied on a frequent basis
when people practice the 3 basic tools of fitness: Cardiovascular Training,
Resistance Training, and Nutrition.
CARDIOVASCULAR TRAINING You either don't watch TV or you don't read magazines if
you've never seen an advertisement that shows some buff young girl or guy
pounding out miles while running on a beach, or happily sweating profusely
while cruising on an elliptical or enduring an intense Spinning class.
These young models always look extremely satisfied to be working their bodies so
hard, and they also share one other common characteristic: they are already in
shape! Have you ever seen a commercial for a gym or exercise device that showed
a 5-foot, 300 lb person grinning from ear to ear?
This is a common example of how the media and fitness industry retailers promote
the mass-confusion over cardio. The ads scream messages like, "Buy our pill,
put on some sexy clothes while running on the beach, and you'll look just as
good as our models do!"
Gym owners do it, too. "Join our gym now and we'll give you one month free! Just
by joining and then attending our Award-Winning Spinning Class, you will look
just like Cindy, the Supermodel we hired to do our commercial!"
It's ridiculous how the "powers that be" portray cardiovascular exercise as some
effortless activity that you can easily use to gain the body of your dreams
just by purchasing their product or joining their facility.
The truth of the matter is that cardiovascular training works. The additional
truth of the matter is that it can range from moderately to intensely
difficult, and that it will take you weeks, months, or maybe even years of
combining cardio with resistance training and proper nutrition to attain the
body of your dreams.
Is that what you wanted to hear about cardio? Probably not, but it's the truth.
If you think there is some shortcut to being buff, young, tan, and in complete
control of your life, then you should go turn on the TV. There is a commercial
on right now that is just waiting for you to call in your credit card number!
RESISTANCE TRAINING
The hype surrounding resistance training isn't quite as appalling as the myths
about cardiovascular training, but it still exists. Regardless of what you have
seen, heard, or been taught, the truth is this: everyone needs resistance
training.
It doesn't matter if your goal is to be a bodybuilder or a 90-year old who can
tie your own shoelaces, you need resistance training. Listing the many reasons
for engaging in a consistent resistance training routine is beyond the scope of
this article, but there are some myths about weight training that need to be
brought to light.
1. Weight Training makes you big and bulky. Actually, the size of your muscles
is determined primarily by your gender, the type and intensity of your training
program, and your nutrition. If you think you will just "magically" turn into a
muscle-bound athlete because you picked up a couple of dumbbells, just ask any
bodybuilder how much time, energy, and raw will power goes into building his or
her incredible physique. It does NOT happen by accident.
2. Using any given device or exercise will "sculpt" your abs, biceps, butt, or
any other muscle. There is one thing and exactly one thing that determines the
shape of your muscles, and that is your DNA. It is quite impossible to "sculpt"
any part of your body - that job belongs to your chosen deity. You can control
the size of your muscles, but you cannot control the shape. Anyone who says
otherwise is straight up lying.
3. Resistance training is just for men. Do you want to lose weight? Do you want
to be healthy, strong, and have a great metabolism and energy level? Then
weight training is for you. Period.
PROPER NUTRITION
You need to learn one word and one word only if you want to maximize your
nutrition program. That word is Cumulative. Cumulative means the combined
effect over the course of time.
You will not put on 5 lbs by eating a hamburger. You will likewise not lose 5
lbs by eating celery for dinner. You will not reap the lifetime benefits of
vitamin, mineral, and fiber intake by eating fruits and vegetables for 1 week.
You will likewise not destroy your body's balance of vitamins and minerals by
straying from your nutrition program once in awhile.
Do you see where all of this is going? If you want to reap the health and weight
loss benefits of a proper nutrition program, you cannot practice proper
nutrition "once in awhile". You must consistently stick to your nutrition
program over the long term to realize the cumulative effects. You are just
kidding yourself if you think otherwise.
As you can see, Cardiovascular Training, Resistance Training, and Proper
Nutrition all play a vital role in your health and fitness program. In
addition, they work together as a team in order to keep you healthy and on
track with your fitness goals. Just practicing one or two will not be good
enough.
At this time you can make a choice. You can either choose to believe a bunch of
bald-faced lies and misleading truths about physical fitness, or you can choose
to embrace the real truth of the matter. The real truth is that weight loss and
physical fitness require time, effort, and dedication.
Remember: Anything worth having is worth working for!
About the Author Aaron Potts is a Personal Trainer and Fitness Success Coach
whose customers include both consumers as well as other fitness professionals.
Sign up for his free Fitness Journal at
http://www.fitnessdestinations.com or visit his coaching site at
http://www.ptsuccesscoach.com.
Link to this page
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| Teach Yourself Visually Weight Training |
| maranGraphics Development Group |
| For those who recognize the benefits of weight training to achieve and keep a healthy body, the Visual Learning System breaks down the complexities into graphical two-page lessons that simplify learning. Inside you’ll find clear, step-by-step instructions for beginning a weight training routine, with tips on form, warming up and cooling down, and preventing injury. |
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Body for Life: 12 Weeks to Mental and Physical Strength
Bill Phillips
This is a great motivational book. It will encourage you to believe that you too can get in the best shape of your life. It provides the details of the challenge that has helped thousands develop healthy habits, and obtain a lean, happy body.
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The Tao of Healthy Eating
Bob Flaws
A layperson's guide to healthy eating through the wisdom of Chinese medicine.
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Bob Greene's Total Body Makeover : An Accelerated Program of Exercise and Nutrition for Maximum Results in Minimum Time
Bob Greene
Fitness is a lifetime commitment, but you can accelerate results and transform your body in 12 weeks, says Bob Greene, best known as Oprah Winfrey's personal trainer. Also includes helpful advice on how to avoid regaining the weight you've lost, and how to maintain healthy exercise and eating habits for life.
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The Joy of Weight Loss
Norris J. Chumley
The Joy of Weight Loss is the dramatic story of how Norris Chumley turned his life around, after weighing 400 pounds during much of his adult life. After trying and failing virtually every diet, he discovered joy and lasting happiness, with permanent freedom from obesity. Chumley counsels a sensible diet, taking pleasure in pleasurable movement rather than a punishing exercise regime.
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Healthy Eating for Life to Prevent and Treat Cancer
Neal Barnard M.D.
This book offers a complete nutrition program to prevent and fight cancer.
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Dare to Lose: Four Simple Steps to Achieve a Better Body
Shari Lieberman, Ph.D.
Lieberman explains the importance of metabolism in weight loss, pointing out the factors that slow down metabolism-such as stress, yo-yo and crash dieting, and sedentary lifestyles-and ways to counteract them.
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