Ten Yards

Getting Fit The Fast And Fun Way

Why doesn’t anybody ever keep their New Year’s resolution? Maybe it has something to do with the fact that they don’t really want to, even from the beginning. If they did want to keep them, they would keep them. Are you one of those people? Did you tell yourself you were going to work on your muscle growth and then did nothing about it?

‘I really do want to get strong and fit, ‘ you say in protest. Sure you do. The trouble is, you don’t want to make yourself suffer for it. You don’t have to suffer for it. Working out should be and can be fun.

If you like pumping iron, that’s one thing, but if you don’t, that’s quite another. What you need to do is to find a way to get fit that you enjoy. Then it’s easy.

If you always enjoyed swimming, get back in the pool. Just don’t ruin it by setting unrealistic goals for yourself. Instead of resolving to swim ten laps, just resolve to swim one. Get back in the water just for the joy of being in the water. When you swim one lap, you’ll probably want to swim two, but if you make yourself swim a large number of laps, you probably won’t be motivated to go to the pool regularly.

It’s not in many of the fitness manuals, but it’s amazing how going easy on yourself can lead to a happy fitness regime. Many people put off jogging, for instance, because they think they have to jog for ten miles. Try jogging for ten yards next time you’re out for a walk. Gradually and naturally, you’ll step it up until you find yourself several miles.

There’s nothing like cycling for fitness. It’s a great workout. Before you run out and buy a Schwinn mountain bike, though, go to the park and rent one and see how you like it. Take a leisurely ride around the park. When you’re hooked, then buy a mountain bike and tackle the big hills.

Don’t fall into the trap of buying dozens of diet supplements, either. You won’t need anything more than an herbalifeline until you’re really pushing your limits. Eat balanced meals. That’s all you need.

So you see, getting fit isn’t a matter of gritting your teeth, setting your jaw and forcing yourself to work out. Fitness should be fun, even from the beginning. Later, when you really are fit, it will just become more fun. There’s no need for a New Year’s resolution. Just go out and have fun!

The Whole Ten Yards 2004