One of my clients started personal training with me about four months ago. Her first several weeks were miserable. High heart rate, puffing and hard breathing, very sore muscles – she had all the beginner’s woes. After a workout she was totally “dead” for the night and couldn’t even cook dinner. (She literally had to make crock pot dinners.)
You should see her now. It’s not that she doesn’t work as hard, but she’s had great improvements in her fitness. Her recovery time is so much faster. She can lift heavier weights, do squat jumps, inclines on the treadmill, and difficult ab sets. She can now do 20 reps on the abdominal bicycle exercise, which was impossible for her at the beginning.
She’s going to the gym regularly now during the week on her own because she’s not intimidated any more. She feels strong and capable – and she is.
How did this happen? How did a middle-aged, sedentary, overweight lady get into good shape? By sticking with it!
Getting fit doesn’t happen to those who are “fair weather” exercisers – when they have time, when they feel good, when they can meet a friend. Getting fit happens to those who doggedly pursue daily workouts – when they don’t have time, when they’re tired, when they have to do it alone.
You won’t get results from sporadic exercise. It just won’t happen. So don’t cry about wanting to be in better shape if you’re not doing it. You have to be consistent (at least 5 times per week) and committed (get it done no matter what).
If you are dedicated enough to stick with exercise, you will get fit and strong. You will love the way you feel. And you will be amazed at the changes in your body.
