In todays Newsletter you’ll find:

• So I started, but I keep missing workouts, what should I do?

• Is Moderation the answer for you?

• Quote to Ponder

I’d like to thank you for subscribing and embarking on these new Fitness Endeavors together.

First and foremost you should understand that you are not alone! Often times when starting any new habit there may be some struggles. These can manifest themselves as just a lack of motivation, a lack of focus, or even just the idea of moving and working out not even crossing your mind depending on the day. Should you be stressed out? Should you be upset with yourself?

You need to understand what purpose the stress and or being upset would do for you? Some people would just stress due to not getting a workout in and not much of anything would change otherwise. Some people would beat themselves up over it for a while then just let it go and move on with life. In both those scenarios those emotions were somewhat wasted energy, because they did not cause any significant change in behavior.

If being stressed out or upset, due to missing a workout or just planned time to move, causes you to refocus then it is a productive emotion. Revisiting, on paper or even just mentally, your goals could help serve as a reminder as to why you decided to start this journey in the first place. You may find that you need to refine some of the goals or your may feel they are still the exact goals you would like to achieve, either way remember why you made the choice to begin is important.

Once your goals are again fresh in your mind, the next step needs to be analyzing your routines or habits to see if there is any room for improvement. What you are looking for are places that you can better set yourself up for success. It may be packing a bag for the gym the night before, it may be putting your packed gym bag in the car the night before. The possibilities are endless, but working to set yourself up for success can go a long way. Find ways to make it as easy as possible to succeed tomorrow.

 ^{A plan relives you of the torment of choice. ~ Saul Bellow}

What is moderation? According to the Webster Dictionary, moderation is defined as: avoiding extremes of behavior or expression : observing reasonable limits. This very well may sound like the advice you are often given. “Everything in moderation.” While this very well may apply to some things in life, there will be goals in life where moderation just won’t do. We must be aware that as we are adapting to new habits, they very well may feel like an extreme and that the perception of the same work very likely will change over time. We must always keep in mind that we, as humans vary greatly in the way we set out to achieve our goals. Some people will always side with moderation and may achieve their goals in an extended timeframe, others may decide they want an expedited timeframe and they will push the boundaries of moderations, and in some peoples eyes “go to the extreme”. What is extreme to some people may just be driven or focused to someone else.

Goals- one crucial component to setting a goal is the time frame associated with said goal. This will very often in the the fitness realm and many other areas of life determine what it will take to reach the desired goal. If the goal is to loose 20 pounds of excess body fat in the next year, moderation just may get you there. If you want to loose the same 20 pounds in the next 3 months, it may take more than moderation to achieve the goal in time.

So is moderation right for you? Depending on your goals it may be the perfect plan for you. At the same time it may be setting you up for failure as well.

^{My diabetes is such a central part of my life... it did teach me discipline... it also taught me about moderation... I've trained myself to be super-vigilant... because I feel better when I am in control. Sonia Sotomayor} 

So when we truly think about the quote above, we have an interesting interpretation of moderation. Now to be clear, given there is “…”, there could be some crucial missing context in the quote but as written it appears that Mrs. Sotomayor has adapted to her diabetes enough that being “super-vigilant” can coexist with “moderation”. This is a wonderful example of her goal of being in “control” having dictated her individual level of moderation. Your goals will help dictate the level of moderation that is right for you as well.

This is often the case for a large portion of the population. Many humans go about their life without a care in the world with regards to their health. Some have jobs where they are moving significantly all day long, while others are completely sedentary nearly every day of the week. Often times it takes a significant event in ones personal life or to a close loved one to open a persons eyes and mind to what they may be able to do to help increase their own longevity and quality of life along the way.

Changing life long habits is no small feat and it makes sense why it usually needs to be a significant event BUT it can be done and it doesn’t have to happen alone. Communities such as this one can help with ideas, accountability and just a great place to voice frustrations with lifestyle changes. It ins’t easy and most definitely will not happen in a week, but with the right determination you can alter the trajectory of your life in many aspects including your health.

If you think to yourself, “I have always worked out, and wanted to stay healthy.” then know that it can all change with all that life can throw your way. Work to maintain those habits and surround yourself with individuals that support your goals or better yet, may even join in on your lifestyle. Maintaining a healthy way of life is often times significantly more manageable than starting from a sedentary lifestyle. Celebrate your bodies ability to move and always remain grateful for the gift of mobility.

The Fitness Endeavors Newsletter will be a constant source of inspiration, as well as information. You will find stories from individuals just like yourself, stories of tragedy and heart ache to persistence and triumph. Fitness Endeavors is about the ups and the downs, the choices we make every day, some right in line with our goals and others not so much, but either way we keep forging ahead knowing that as we continue on the path, we learn to enjoy the struggle, the small victories, we learn from the mistakes and we constantly keep learning and growing as individuals. We value sharing our wisdom along the way, and bringing others along on the journey with us.