It is my privilege to officially announce the forthcoming release for my first book and DVD training program entitled, “Anatomy of Fitness: Core”, set to be released this August. The Core Program comes packaged with a high quality Swiss-Ball, book, and companion DVD program. You will be able to find it in wholesale chains, major bookstores, and order an advanced signed copy direct from me! Stay tuned for more release details.
This issue was purported to be a Summer Shape Up Spectacular. I was going to share a personal story from year’s past whereby the cold and stagnant machine lay silent and rusty, before dusting off the remnants, revving up the engine and then proudly cruising along the PCH, (Pacific Coast Highway for my non-Los Angeles based readers.) In short, it was to be my Memorial Day Blowout special.
But then, a funny thing occurred: Life. Real life. Removed from the modelesque and ripped physiques of my adopted L.A., I saw a cross-stitch of America, all in plus-size clothing. Real life, whereby workouts are the first to be jettisoned when long commutes, changing diapers and a myriad of other responsibilities make up a person’s schedule and are less than ideal, but as routine as routine gets.
I speak, today, not merely to the dedicated, part-time, or even bicentennial gym-goer, but to the person who hasn’t passed through a gym door since High School. The one who has never waited to work on a machine. The one who equates diet to ordering a diet coke at the local fast food joint. The one who takes a handful of prescription drugs instead of multi vitamins upon waking. And finally, to the one who must regulate carbohydrate intake and insulin for each and every meal often as a result of living in denial: Denial of exercise and good nutrition and acceptance of lethargy and sugar as fuel.
I reach out to the one deemed too old or whose condition is too severe or irreversible to previously warrant taking attention. I want you to know, and believe that, it’s far better to be an aged car that is cranking up the miles, rather than be a polished shell that resides in a garage, idle in its own memories.
In my own case, I took up weight training not because I wanted to compete, but to build confidence for myself and rally against the bully who claimed my self-esteem and happiness. What keeps me training today is the simple fact that I want to live, be healthy and functional.
For many newbies, it can often be a difficult road to enter the gym for the first time, for it can be an intimidating place. But the way I see it, the gym is one of the last places in one’s day to day where you can take time for yourself. The gym is a shop whereby one hones one’s body for improved performance and aesthetics. It is never about you vs. the other guy, but rather you vs. you.
What follows are 10 action items to get you, (back), into investing in yourself. If you regularly go to the gym, congratulations! You are maintaining a fabulous lifestyle. I ask that you pass this newsletter to a loved one, friend, co-worker or anyone in need of empowering their physical well-being. My goal, for that person, is that they one day say what George Zimmer of Men’s Wearhouse fame says, “You’re going to like the way you look.”
MOTIVATION – Step 1 is simply to have an image of roughly where you’d like to go. One of the key steps to staying motivated involves keeping your best interests at heart. For some that means telling others, for others, that means telling no one. BUT the mainstay is finding something with which to empathize, (see yourself), with. A picture of someone’s physique that I aspire to, has always worked for me.
PICTURES – Of you and how you look right now. For your eyes-only. Unyielding, unforgiving and unrelenting images of you and how you look at the start of your journey.
GOODBYE – All unhealthy food jettisoned. Get rid of it, now. That way, in the moment, (that we all face), of possibly cheating on our diet, we make it less accessible; one must leave the house in order to fill one’s belly unhealthily.
CALENDAR – A single sheet of paper, showing one month at a time. An “X” for a completed healthy day of eating and a big “C” for a cheat. At the end of the 30 days or so, we should see a lot more X’s.
THE BIG O – As in “Occasion”. Goal setting is always more in the here and now when a time frame is introduced. Wedding, Bar Mitzvah, Class Reunion or some other occasion coming up? This is the catalyst needed to get you going, to get you invested.
CLOTHING NON-OPTIONAL – Go now and buy a piece of clothing that is physically impossible for you to fit into right now. Hang it up at home in viewing sights. Imagine how it’s going to feel when it conforms to your body.
ENTER – While many view the gym as a social environment, pickup spot and sometimes fashion show, our concerns are more holistic: we go to the gym to look and feel better OUTSIDE of it. Of course, for many, this is outside our comfort zone. Of course wear clothing that is non-restrictive and comfortable to move in. But remember, you are going not for others’ approval. You are going for yourself.
PERISHABLES FIRST – Meaning, start with the most important action items first: resistance training. Cardio has its place and is not only healthy for the heart, but aids in speeding up the metabolism; however, resistance training offers these benefits and more such as actually enhancing your body’s composition. (Less fat, more muscle.)
GO TO THE CORNER – Or wherever you feel comfortable in your new home. If you feel confident battling the iron front and center, then by all means engage there. Others’ comfort-zone initially may extend to just beyond the front desk. Go where you can breathe easy and do the work.
RECRUITS – Be it bringing in a friend, coworker, Personal Trainer or any such help and support system that will not only help to keep you motivated, but also get you faster to your goals. We are looking to make lifestyle, longdistance positive changes, not short-term, sprint style temp fixes.
You matter to me! I want to be part of your strength and motivation. Remember, I am only one e-mail away. If you truly have an aversion to going alone to the gym for the first time, I can also offer you classes via e-mail. Please know, “IF I CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU! LOVE WHAT YOU DO AND DO WHAT YOU LOVE.” There is nothing better than to look in the mirror and see your progress, as well as actually physically feel better. I wish you good luck and please remember that I care!
Until our next positive intervention,
Hollis