LemakHealth

This is what will power looks like.

We know several things are true in fitness. It is hard to begin. Keeping momentum is more difficult. There are hurdles to overcome (sometimes real hurdles). And fitness is not one-size-fits-all; that’s something we’ve said before on this blog, but it’s worth repeating.

Setting foundations is important when trying to achieve fitness goals.

The Basics – a dash of preparation and a lot of will power

Motivation comes and goes, but will power lasts a lifetime. Or something like that. Truth is motivation alone isn’t enough to build a foundation. Why? Motivation is hard to come by and easy to take for granted. Some days, you pop a B-12 and you’re ready to take on the World. Most days probably aren’t like that and it requires an equal amount of prep and will power to get through a workout.

Prepare yourself by planning your routine. If you belong to a gym, check out their class schedule. Stay consistent each week while working out different parts of your body each day.

Once you’ve developed the will power to get active, feel free to mix-it up. Gym people: see what new classes are being offered. If your routine is out-of-home, download a video podcast for something different.

Going stag is better than not going at all

A partnership or group should not be part of your foundation. The moment you have to go stag, your foundation will crumble. That’s not to say partnering with a friend for a workout is a bad idea. But almost anything you can do by yourself, you can do with a group.

You have to be strong alone before you can be strong with a group.

Ring, Ring – it’s your body calling

Probably the most important thing anyone can do when creating a foundation for fitness is learning to listen to his or her body. If you’re pushing yourself, you’re just hurting yourself.

Having an ache or sore muscle isn’t the same as pain. Learning to tell the difference between what you should be feeling and what you are feeling can be difficult. Before you start any activity get a physical. A physical will help you know the limits of your body. And if you start to feel uncomfortable about any ache, check with your physician ASAP.

What are your foundations?