The Unadulterated Truth About Getting In Shape!
By Tim Webb, Tue Jan 10th

I bet with the new year here many of you are considering workingoff the Christmas indulgence with a new gym membership, a flashypiece of home gym equipment, or purchasing some gadget ofanother.

Essentially the hunt will be on for that miracle cure that willundo (possibly) months of excess in just a few weeks. And youknow what?

More power to you!

At least you are taking action. Many won't even get that far.

However what happens when external appeal wears off? Because,more often than not, that is what drives the "new you" approach.Once the novelty wears off the new membership, bit of fitnesskit, or whatever it may be, you are left back at the startingpoint.

I see this SO often and have concluded that, very often, thereason that underlies the failing of these short-lived sporadicattempts at physical betterment is one of looking for motivationin the wrong place.

To be more specific, placing external items on a pedestal andthen getting bored with their appeal and quitting physicaltraining.

A list of excuses often accompanies such decisions to quit butthe real reason is that their motivation did not come fromwithin, fortified with a cast-iron promise to themselves to makeit a lifestyle change.

No! Instead it came about due to them seeing expensive gym kit,or them seeing a celebrity using the latest 'wonder'

gadget,assuring them it will provide a six- pack!

Be willing to train regardless of whether you have equipment ornot and definitely without thought for what others will think ofyou.

If you have made a genuine decision to train then you should notrequire external motivation of peers, equipment, or anyone/thingelse!

Your motivation should be derived from within and should becomea part of you. Each day take time to visualise and see yourselfas you want to become. See yourself enjoying the physicalchallenge. Use your mind to guide you towards your target thentake physical action.

If you need a friend to train with you in order for you even toturn up for a session, you need to reassess your reasons.

If it is for something profound and life-changing (like betterhealth) then take a grip of your mental tenacity and do itYOURSELF.

Ultimately people will come to admire and respect your tenacity(stick-to-it-ness!) and, more than likely, you will(unwittingly) be seen as a role model to those around you!

(c) Tim Webb 2006

About the author:Tim Webb is a fitness instructor, Ju Jutsu instructor andcompetitor. He specialises in easily accessible deep breathingexercises that combine breath and mind together. His sitehttp://www.breathforsuccess.com/ offers a product that providesdeep breathing exercises for invigorating yourself, relaxing,and highlights how your breath can be tied in with your goals tomove you towards them in record time!