The future of fitness is changing. Zumba is still in (scandal and all), Pilates is fading, Denise Austin is nowhere to be seen. Buns of Steel has been replaced with a Brazilian Butt Lift. Tae Bo is gone, but P90x is kicking. Boot Camps are finding new recruits, but Speed Walking has slowed down.
And in the ever shifting landscape of living fit, it's easy for us to lose our way. So, rather than focus on the unpredictable future of fitness, I'd rather focus on the future of you.
It's past New Year's Resolution time, and most people have fallen off the bandwagon. But not you. You're reading because you're trying. Trying to stay motivated, trying to accomplish what you thought was impossible, trying to make the most out of where you are and what you've become.
Can I share a few tips that have helped me over the years? It's my article, so I'll take that as a yes.
1. If you don't see value in what you are doing, you will stop doing it.
Solution: set value on your fitness goals. Why is it important for you to be fit? Why are you doing something as difficult as maintaining a healthy life style? Share some of what makes being healthy valuable to you in the comments to help motivate some of our readers. For me, I want to be able to keep up with my kids, push a broken down car off the side of the road, and I want to take care of what God has given me. That makes it worthwhile for me to invest a little time each day into fitness.
2. Face the fact that results take time.
If you are disappointed that your 3 week streak hasn't produced the results you dreamed of, join the club. This summer I set a goal of increasing my bench press from 225 to 250. I worked hard. I put a lot into a 12 week program. I ended up maxing at 244. I was a little bummed. I still improved, and I'll try again. Find the small results and enjoy them. In the end I know that if 250 is something I want to put up, I'll have to keep working at it. Giving up won't get me any closer to the goal, but every time I put a little weight up, I know I'm improving. Don't give up: give yourself time. Persevere. Be tenacious.
3. Don't Fly Solo.
Over the last 12 years in the fitness realm, I have seen more success achieved by people who work together than by those who vow to do it on there own. There is a mutual energy, an accountability, and a celebration of success that you don't get when you are alone. You don't need to be on a bandwagon, but you do need someone who can encourage you, motivate you, tell you to get out of bed, or just spot you on that last set you might otherwise never have done. I'm not saying you can't be successful on your own. You can be. For most people I just don't think it's as likely.
Have something else that might encourage someone to change their future in fitness? Share with us, we love to hear.
Remember: the future of you depends on the decisions of today. Make the hard decision to invest in your future now.
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