Fad Fitness !

As we head into a New Year, if history and statistics hold true this will be one of the biggest times of the year for people to make resolutions for getting fit and deciding to join gyms. One of the definitions for resolution is "a course of action determined or decided on" meaning it is something which we have determined to do, yet many times depending upon the action we have decided to accomplish, the resolution is never fulfilled.

In this article, I would like to address some things to help make your new determination a success as well as some areas of caution.

Fad Fitness~ This is what I like to call a social club without the drinks~ many times as we walk into the gym for our workout, I will see the same people day after day doing the same thing; they walk from location to location throughout the gym, talking to every person they can but never really doing any type of exercise. They then move to the treadmill and walk for a few minutes before heading to the shower. This may seem like an extreme situation, however if you take a few minuets you too will see it happening.

Fitness has become a sort of buzz word in America, where gyms and trainers know they can make some quick money from those people who have resolved to get in shape, yet according to statistics put their money down only to stop their fitness programs shortly after. Please read closely if you've resolved to get back in shape or if this is the beginning of something new.

According to the National Average, when people start new fitness programs they will only stay with it for 3 weeks. Many people start a new workout with the need for quick results (and by quick they want immediate). As great as this would be, they probably did not get to the place they are physically (now in need of a new program) overnight. Overnight success is not realistic nor healthy, so I would like to give you attainable, realistic ideas as well as information which will help you to succeed in becoming "Fit for Life".

A fad is a temporary fashion, notion or manner of conduct and this is precisely what we want to keep away from when it comes to health, wellness and fitness. Temporary fitness, diets and plans for health do little if anything to help us in our overall quality of life; in fact some things cause more problems than good and actually can be a detriment to our health. It is our desire to be "Fit for Life" not just physically but mind, body and spirit which is how we are created to live. This is about a lifestyle, not just a fad and this is our passion for those who will read these pages.

If you are starting a new workout and have set goals for this next year (weight loss, muscle toning, feeling better about yourself) whatever the goal, you will find the following factors of success to be helpful to gauge your overall habits and outcome.

Success Factors

1.) Consistency: the body adapts over time to the traces left over from your previous workout (cumulative effect). The more consistent you are in you workouts and lifestyle, the more adaptation will occur in your body.

2.) Work hard: show up and work hard; Intensity and quality of strain in your workouts causes the brain to affect a positive adaptation and compensate for physical stress being imposed on your body. The harder you work, the more the brain has to prepare the body for which in turn causes more need for positive adaptation.

3.) Follow a realistic eating and exercise plan: Disciplined Nutrition Plan; this does not mean starving yourself, but rather developing a healthy eating lifestyle which you can live with forever, not some unattainable diet also making sure your workout plan works for you.

4.) Have fun: Enjoy your workouts and exercise, do things which accomplish your goal and also allow you to have fun at the same time.

5.) Be creative: Consistency is the most important factor but you still want to change things up slightly every 4- 6 weeks. Keep some of the exercises and add different ones which will work the same joints and muscles but give you variety. The idea is to keep your body in a constant state of “Progressive Adaptation” changing as it goes, rather than allowing the plateau effect with your health and fitness.

6.) Listen to your body: Though you will experience soreness as you begin and continue this workout (if your continue to increase in intensity) we call this effect Delayed Muscle Soreness Onset which will typically happen within 48 hours of the workout, your body will tell you if something is wrong. If you are experiencing specific, focused and knife like jabbing pain during a movement this probably indicates that you have injured that area of your body to some extent. Stop the exercise and consult a physician before continuing.

7.) Plan for the long haul: Your body is created to adapt to what you do over time. Physical fitness is a life-long journey and not just a destination; this is something you want to implement for a lifestyle change not just short distance success.

Physical Fitness Time line:

13 week’s = 75%; 6 month’s = 90% 1 year= 95%

Planning for the long haul means you will need to have a realistic attitude towards weight loss (if needed), as well as the change in body composition. Using the time line above, if we look at your ability to be physically fit; according to studies and science when involved in a consistent and intense workout several days per week within 13 weeks you can be at 75% of your maximum physical fitness level possible; at 6 months you can be at 90% and within 1 year on consistent training you can be at 95% of your maximum level. Problem: The national average for staying on an intense, consistent training program is only 3 weeks. If you start with an unrealistic goal of weight loss or physical fitness, the chances are great that you will become frustrated and discouraged when you don’t see immediate results like you wanted. Remember, this is training for a lifestyle of fitness not just a short distance sprint. The desire and objective should be to obtain physical fitness, health and wellness, while learning realistic nutrition and training which can be incorporated into your everyday life. When it comes to a change in body composition, it normally takes at least 6- 8 weeks from the beginning of a program to start seeing any change; however during this time you will start to notice the change internally with energy levels being higher and strength being obtained.

DON’T GIVE UP! Remember, the 2 most important factors in achieving your fitness goals are

1) Consistency

2) Work hard

If you can get into a consistent, intense (hard working) lifestyle of fitness, the goals you have set out to reach are attainable.

Why should I be physically fit?

Genesis 1:27 says we are created in the image of God (both male and female) and we are valuable to Him. Jesus gave up His life for all mankind which not only shows His willingness to sacrifice but the value each of us have. We believe living whole in health, fitness and wellness is caring for our bodies in all 3 parts spirit, soul and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Paul says in Acts 17:24 & 25 “God no longer dwells in temples made with hands” and He gives all men life and breath and everything else. Genesis 2:7 says “God formed man out of the dust and breathed the breath of life into his nostrils and the man became a living being."

Jesus knew we as people are capable of allowing anything to take control of us, which is why we are told not to be controlled by anything else and we are to give ourselves completely to Him. Our stance on fitness, health and wellness comes from an understanding of God as our creator, creating us in His image and breathing the breath of life on our nostrils. He has designed us to be His image bearers and how I care for myself in this body is part of how I share the message of Christ through my life.

May your New Year be full of abundant life, as God intends for us to live through Him.