Forward Movement

This week we move forward. This week we will commit again to our short term goals, become more consistent with our exercise routine, pay more attention to our nutrition, rest and recover more, and hopefully we will beat ourselves up less. This week we forget about last week.

For most, last week revealed specifically the status of personal progress towards short term goals. Some were actually excited and pleased and victorious, for the scale has begun to speak to you, your clothes have a different fit, and an improvement in strength has motivated you greatly. However, for others, progress seemed impossible. The scale turned it's back on you. Allergies halted a few in their track making it impossible to have any energy to get to the gym. The stomach flu had also stricken a few. Some are dealing with injury that has caused you to reschedule till swelling has gone down. The demands of work have kept some in the office all day having to miss their training sessions in order to meet deadlines. House guests made it seemingly impossible to eat healthy. Heartbreaks wreaked havoc emotionally, sucking the life right out of some clients, understandably so. And for some the state of the economy has forced you to cut back on personal training.

It is frustrating, isn't it? Just when you are making progress life will jump right out in front of you and do what ever it takes to knock you off track. Lets have a loud primal scream together! "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH."

Feel better? I do. Let it out. Get angry. Declare war, for we will be bigger than this. We will get through this. We will not let life always get in the way of our goals, dreams and aspirations. Why? Because it will never stop. Never. Life will always be there exciting you and also disappointing you. That's the truth of it.

So what do we do? How do we remain consistent with our exercise program and still live up to our work, school, family and personal obligations? If I had the "perfect" answer we would all be our "perfect size" and able to eat chocolate without it showing up on our thighs. We would not fear the dressing room mirrors and when our special someone rubbed our bellies we would not suck our tummies in till we were blue in the face.

What I can tell you is that if we just keep on fighting, if we just keep on making it a point to move forward, progress will follow. I know that instant gratification is more pleasing. I know that quick results are more satisfying. However, long term results are our goal, therefor, even if progress is slow, if it remains relatively consistent, then the small changes will begin to amount to big changes. It's essential that we remain positive, hopeful, and determined. Most importantly, if we are realistic and understand that there will always be things that will get in the way of our plan for success, then we can minimize the feeling of failure and guilt, for these are nothing more than intrusive emotions that halt progress.

Stand tall my friends. Be strong and determined. Make it a point to put yourselves first when ever you can. Not to use a cliche but if we are not good to ourselves then everything else will fall short as well.

So put on your shoes, download a play list that makes you want to dance on the treadmill, and go to the gym. Work out! Release the pressure. Find your strength and do not let go of it. Know your goals and make fitness a priority at least three times this week. Take a class. Go for a walk or run around the lake. Do push ups till you drop. (okay so I am a bit optimistic:) Create momentum and move forward. If nothing else, just keep on moving forward, keep on taking small steps towards your goals, and eventually you will get there. You will be victorious. You will triumph.