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Take the Fitness Lifestyle for a Test Drive

by Boyd Myers

Feb 5, 2004

No one should buy an automobile without making an informed choice-knowing the car or truck of choice from top to bottom, what kind of performance they should expect, and what the automobile will be worth a few years down the road when they want something new.  Unfortunately, there is no “trading in” your current body when you get tired of it.  But like an automobile, you can take care of your body, give it the proper fuel and adequate maintenance, and it will perform at its absolute peak. 

Fitness, when viewed in today’s pop culture, can seem daunting and somewhat overwhelming.  There is so much pressure from television, magazines, and other sources for the average Joe or Jane to have legs like J-Lo or abs like LL Cool J.  While those goals may seem lofty and unattainable (but admirable), there is nothing standing in the way of you reaching your full fitness potential!  Below are a few tips for people that may want to take a “fitness test drive”.  Try it for just twelve weeks; you may decide you like what it’s about and make it a lifelong priority!  You may be surprised and pleased with what you find!

Make the Decision Within.  No one can decide for you that it is time to make a change and to get into shape.  Look around, you can and will find the reasons to look and feel your absolute best.  The effects of exercise are well documented.  Maybe you want to look great by the pool or on the beach this spring or summer.  Maybe you have a ten or fifteen year reunion coming up.  Maybe you’re tired of always feeling lethargic and want to increase performance at your job.  Regular diet and exercise will help you lose unwanted body fat and you’ll notice an immediate improvement in your attitude, mental alertness, and performance!

Make Time to Change.  This is one of the easiest and most common excuses, “I just don’t have time to get into shape.”  Who does?  Well, if living longer a longer and fuller life for a loved one, whether it is a child, grandchild, or significant other isn’t important enough to “MAKE TIME”, what is?  Studies show that nearly 80% of Americans watch upwards of two hours of television a night.  All it takes to exercise is a commitment of 45 to 60 minutes a day, no more.  That is adequate time to properly stimulate the muscles to become more toned and better defined, while speeding up your metabolism to burn away unwanted body fat.  Also, studies have shown that it is possible to burn up to three times more fat by doing cardiovascular exercise first thing in the morning on an empty stomach.  Your body uses stored body fat for fuel, and you watch the pounds melt away.  Don’t believe it?  Try it for two weeks-three times a week for at least 20 minutes each session; you’ll see the fruits of your labor in the mirror and you’ll notice an immediate increase in mental alertness and stamina.  Will you strip away years of hamburgers and late night burrito dinners?  Not in two weeks, but you will notice the way those love handles are melting away!

Make Better Nutrition Choices.  Anyone can find their way to a gym, but it takes a lot of discipline to be strict with nutrition.  Believe it or not, it isn’t as hard as you may think.  By eliminating soda from the diet and replacing it with water, some individuals notice a change of up to ten pounds in a week.  That’s pretty incredible for something so small.  Our bodies are made up of 70-75% water, so drink up-you can’t get enough.  Don’t wait until you’re thirsty, you’re already dehydrated by that point.  Carry a bottle or a jug with you wherever you go.  Try to get down a gallon a day.  It will seem a bit much at first, but your body will quickly welcome and acclimate to it.  As far as food goes, don’t believe the hype of the fad diets!  Yes, they work for the short term, but make a full lifestyle change and don’t fall prey to a temporary solution for a permanent problem!  Don’t binge once or twice a day.  Instead, eat five to six smaller meals, spaced out two to three hours apart throughout the day.  Try to include a portion of lean protein, complex carbohydrates, and a fibrous vegetable.  This serves many purposes, and without getting too scientific, it’s easiest to say that your body gets the nutrients it needs throughout the day to constantly fuel itself, your metabolism speeds up and forces your body to mobilize fat instead of storing it, and your blood sugar stays constant, eliminating the ups and downs of energy throughout the day.  Try to eliminate fried foods.  Replace hamburgers with grilled chicken sandwiches.  Hold the cheese and mayo!  Reduce carbohydrate intake in the evening.  Try replacing ground beef with 2% turkey breast!  There are a million things we can do to eat better.  Any fitness nutritionist or personal trainer can construct a diet for you that will optimize fat loss and muscle tone. 

Take an “Integrated” Approach.  Everyone knows someone who is a regular gym rat, but unless you know that person, you’d never guess it by looking at that individual’s body.  You can lift weights for twelve hours a day and run a marathon a week, but if you’re not getting the nutrition you need to fuel your workouts and the rest needed to allow the body to recover, it isn’t going to matter how much time you spend on a weight bench or treadmill.  Incorporate sound nutritional practices, aerobic (treadmill, walking, running, cycling, etc) exercise with anaerobic (weight lifting) exercise and proper rest.  It does work-there are no big secrets and you will see results! 

Let Someone Help You!  There is so much information about fitness and nutrition, that it may be tough for some of us to go at alone!  Call a certified personal trainer or a nutrition specialist.  It is their job to help you reach your potential and take pride in your results.  A trainer can help you take the guess work out of nutrition and fitness, give you tips on cooking healthy meals that are actually fun to eat, which supplements may work for you, and a training program that is challenging and fun! 

Take the above advice to get started.  Maybe you’ll want to take the fitness lifestyle for a test drive, or maybe you’ll buy as soon as you get to the lot!  Find a program that is best for you and that will help you achieve the results that you desire and deserve! 

Best wishes,
Boyd Myers

Boyd is a Certified Personal Trainer and a Sports Nutrition Specialist that can be reached at boyd@the-personal-trainer.com or via the World Wide Web at www.the-personal-trainer.com