A Word About Strength and Endurance

Anything worth having is not easily obtained.  That is an absolute truth, especially when it comes to physical fitness.  What does that entail? Desire...commitment...and a follow-thru mindset that doesn't give up or give in...compromise can be dangerous.  Slow and steady wins the race, as significant muscle growth/gain does not happen over-nite...or in a few weeks, or even a few months.

 

Ok, what's the next step to getting there? You have to want it so much, you can taste it. You eat, drink and breathe it -- it becomes so much a part of you that the inner drive for it consumes nearly every waking moment, and the outer appearance to others around you borders on obsessive.  Then, you know you're where you need to be mentally to get there - you have arrived! Remember, your fitness is 100% mental...your body will not go where your mind does not push it.

 

Getting to that maintenance point is a process...a journey, so enjoy the trip, but know some important points to keep in mind:

• Focus - maintain it...set realistic goals, work toward that and never lose sight of why are you getting fit.
• Negativity - no room for it...from any source! There will always be those people who are ready to sabotage your efforts, some more obvious than others....always be on guard.
• Clean eating - no refined sugar, no refined flour, no deep fried foods, no processed food, (I know, all are processed to some point....the less though, the better)...no junk food, no fast food. Not only from an all-over health stance, if you are not willing to get the careless eating out of your diet, don't waste your energy on your physique.
• Consistency - 3 to 4 days a week, 1 to 2 hours each time (work up to this, of course).  If you are going to be 'hit or miss', forget it .  It has to be a personal appointment you keep!

Maybe this sounds a bit excessive, but this is what it takes.  Don't expect change if you are not willing to work for it.  Don't expect outstanding results unless you are doing something to get significant results.  It will come...patience, persistence, commitment.  Building strength and endurance go hand in hand.  To build strength, you have to push yourself.  Not necessarily every time, but often enough that your body is challenged.  Even if you can only lift that additional ten pounds one or two times...that's positive progress.  You will soon begin to notice your body responding, I seem to notice it just all at once! Everyone is different though, but stick to it regardless even if you think nothing or not much is happening. Remember, personal choices always have consequences....good, bad or indifferent...when it comes to your health, don't take chances...makes the right choices!