Make today your tomorrow!

As I think about the journey that Chris Daniel has embarked upon (http://thescorch.com/?p=1288), I think about the different journeys that different persons have on their way to fitness or any other life goal. Often the hardest thing to do is to start.

     "A journey of thousand miles begins with one step" - Lao Tzu

Lets modify: "A journey to a fitter you begins with one step, one rep, one revolution" - d Body      Architect.

We all try to give ourselves the metaphorical kick up d a** when motivated by a major event, milestone or birthday. Many of us have multiple false starts on this journey and that's fine. Very few things perfect in this world were right from the start or first attempt. 

One needs to start out by being realistic about one's goals, expectations of training and what the body can do and tolerate. The cliché goes: 'slow and steady wins the race' but I remind people that often in fitness, 'slow and steady stays in the race (to the end)'. 

Steady gains are sustainable gains (losses in weight are like a gain). Keep in mind that while we love to focus on the aesthetics, there are major health benefits to that fitter you such as reduced risk of diseases, improved heart and blood circulatory states and reduced expenditure on medications. 

One client in her 40's whose journey started out about a Tobago vacation and a swimsuit, three weeks into that journey she came off the blood pressure medication she had been on for the better part of 16 years. I would hate to sit down and do the math on the cost spent there on tablets but in that same breath, think about what could be saved. 

Often I think that's motivation enough, but, our human nature wants tangible benefits, things they can see or touch (take that smirk off your face). The root goal often is aesthetically grounded. I always say to clients no matter how silly the goal or motivator, as long as it works for you and means something to you, then use it once it matters to you. 

Other tools or tricks that have worked for people in the past include:

- A buddy system: find a like minded training partner or one that you can tolerate that will drag you kicking and screaming to your workout. This persons needs to be reliable and not easily swayed while not overbearing. Choose wisely. I love to step back and observe the dynamic of my main training group, not only in actual training but also in our little 'whatsapp community'. Which takes me to....

- Social media groups: Many sources of daily inspiration can be found on social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram & Facebook. People's stories and journeys can act as either a kickstart or ongoing motivation. 

- Mini milestones:To help slogging away at that big picture, that ultimate goal, which can continually shift, mini milestones help a whole lot. Closer events, markers, "places" where you can pause and re-evaluate how it's going are crucial in my opinion.

As you contemplate procrastinating on that workout today I ask a question that one of my mentors Vern Gambetta likes to ask: What is totally unique about today? Answer: There will only be one Wednesday 12 June 2013! When you switch those lights tonight and go to sleep, will be satisfied of this one and only day and date?

Good luck.

Toby

@DBodyArchitect