Page 19 - SFM Jan 2018.indd

Fitness is a Lifestyle

I have decided to write this article in light of all the New Years Resolutioners. Too many people
like the idea of being healthy and fi t, but don’t really want to do the work to achieve it. There are
too many fads out there that distract us and we try to take the easy way out. Whether it’s a pill or
some kind of wrap, we would rather spend the money to cut corners instead of putting in the work to
achieve the results we strive for.
The thing with fi tness is that the progress is usually pretty slow. Too many people want instant
results and get discouraged when they don’t reach them. I see a lot of people join the gym in Janu-
ary and February, and then I don’t see them again until this same time the next year. I’ll hear every
excuse; I don’t have time, it’s too hard, it’s too cold out. The realization of it is that you have to make
a lifestyle change. You can’t do it for a couple weeks and expect results. Fitness has to be a part
of your daily routine in order for it to work. You have to be consistent and stronger than your ex-
cuses. If you make fi tness a priority you will fi nd time and stick with it. If it’s not a priority you will fi nd
an excuse. The days that you don’t feel like going to the gym are the days that you MUST go! The
progress is slow, but slow progress is better than no progress at all. Do you have to get fi red up to
brush your teeth every morning? No, because it’s a part of your daily routine (I hope). If you can stay
consistent for three weeks it will begin to be a part of your routine. Consistency is the biggest thing
with reaching your goals.
In order to stay consistent you need to have a “why.” What do I mean by that? Why do you want
to be healthy? Is it for your kids? Do you want to fi t into that dress you haven’t worn in a couple
years? Dig deep and fi nd your “why”. If your “why” is big enough you will stay consistent until you
reach your goals. And once you reach your goal, you will create another goal to achieve.
Another good way to stay consistent is to join some kind of challenge. You can start a challenge
with your work buddies, or sign up for a 5k. I never used to like running all that much, so to stay
consistent I would sign up for a 5k or longer race to keep me motivated. I had a goal of completing
a marathon, so I signed up for one and started training. Once you sign up there is no turning back;
you either sink or swim.
To wrap things up, I just want to say that if you want to become healthier you need to make it a
lifestyle change. You have to be consistent with your exercise routine and diet. As long as you do
this you will see results, and it will be more satisfying knowing that you did it all by yourself instead of
trying some silly wrap or pill that, by the way, don’t work.

Jon Ligrow
Owner/Operator Ligrow’s 24 Hr Fitness
ISSA Certifi ed Trainer

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