The Cost Of Stopping Exercise
Author: Brian Waldo MS, CPT, CES, PES, WLS, FNS TFW
In over 25 years of working in the health and fitness industry I have seen many things come and go when it comes to programs, facilities as well as clients. One of the observations I have is that so many people start and stop fitness or wellness programs.
My head immediately goes to why do people start and stop programs?What are the costs of starting and stopping programs? Who do these costs affect over time? Are we talking about an expense or an investment? I think it is easier for people to think of making an investment in the beginning. Results can after all come quickly at first, and the apparent value in what you are doing seems high! But, over time I see individuals lose sight of the value investing in health and fitness. This is even more apparent for some once they achieve a goal of weight loss, or are happier about how they feel in their own skin. I think even for people that are good at financially investing it becomes tempting to go on that extra vacation or buy the dream car as you get more financially comfortable. This can lead to a slippery slope. The difference between your finances and your fitness is you see it in your statement each month. Your fund does not grow as much. Or, maybe it decreases in value.
When you divest in exercise and stop exercising (which should be 4 days per week) a loss of muscle mass and bone density starts after two weeks time and much can be lost just as if you made a poor investment and lost everything two we
So, is this a cost or is it a divestment of hard work and dedication when you stop exercising?
Exercise is the strongest most effective medicine ever created. A number of years ago a major study concluded that the power of exercise was so significant. So significant in fact that the study showed that many people could smoke while also being active exercising and have a better mortality rates (i.e. live longer) than those that did not exercise and did not smoke. A pretty powerful statement I would say. Investing your time in physical exercise that benefits all the systems of your body is the best way to stay healthy, strong and vibrant! There is not a better investment of time, energy and your finances.
Are you a investor\divestor in your health & fitness?
It is pretty clear that if you are not exercising 4 days per week you may be divesting in your fitness level. By divesting you are not only losing ground fitness wise, but your risks for other chronic diseases exponentially increases. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, certain forms of cancer, COPD, etc and all looming and on top of that you may not look the same in your swim suit!
Just like we need to be smart about where we put our money and investments, you also need to be smart about the use of your time and be sure to leave time to invest time into YOU! Is there a guarantee that if you do ugly things will never happen? Absolutely not. However, your odds will be much better with keeping exercise part of your life!
By investing 4 days per week in strength training and metabolic exercise that is effectively designed you can accomplish great things such as:
- Improved resting heart rate
- Improved vascular health
- Decreased sense of breathlessness
- Stronger respiratory muscles
- A leaner body
- Improved strength for daily tasks
- Improved bone density
- Improve or maintain mobility
- Greater sense of confidence
- Healthy metabolism and blood chemistry
Tips to keep growing your health and fitness investments:
- Engage weekly with your fitness facility
- Find a facility with a healthy culture that promotes improvement and encourages each other
- Determine your detractors. Make a list of things that pull you away from regular exercise. Either manage them so that they do not pull you away or get them out of your life.
- Work to make your active lifestyle fun. Go with friends, make new friends and appreciate those around you on a similar journey!
- Love yourself enough to place a portion of your day\week as a priority just for the most important asset you have.. (YOU).
Our facility is soon starting our summer 28 Day Unlimited Trial Membership promotion for NEW STUDENTS\PARTICIPANTS in Cottage Grove at TFW East Metro! Are you looking to get started on a healthy journey? Our family of like minded members would love to see you come and try our system. The Training For Warriors System is a system, not just a workout. Get more information my submitting your contact information at >>>>Click Here to Get 28 Day Information<<<<
The Secret to Every Successful Diet And Fitness Program
A message from the founder of Training For Warriors: Martin Rooney
Sometimes the big secret to doing something is just showing up. In this article from TFW Founder, Martin Rooney, he will help you overcome the possible fear and doubt you may currently have about joining a fitness program. Enjoy the article and I hope you find what you should really be fearful of.
People are naturally afraid of things like heights, snakes and spiders. Put most children and adults up on something really high or hand them a python and they will give you the same reaction.
Fortunately for you (unless you are a skydiver or collector of reptiles,) you probably don’t have to elicit these inborn fear responses very often.
Unfortunately for you, however, since there are centers of your brain always on the hunt for things of which to be afraid, when old fears start to disappear from your life, your brain is excellent at creating new ones.
I see this fear creation ability first hand at almost every gym I visit around the world.
Recently we held an orientation for the new members of our TFW program. I thought this hour-long event was to introduce and explain to the 25 new people about the program and how to best benefit from the training, but I was wrong.
Instead, I realized I had to remove the fear all of these people have about joining and participating in an exercise program.
How did I know?
Terror is easy to read on the faces of your audience when you are standing in front of them.
A new member of a fitness program is easy to spot. When the new members entered the building last night, I could immediately recognize most of them were anxious.
Unlike walking into a movie theater, restaurant, or mall for the first time, these people were downright apprehensive.
I was saddened when I saw this behavior, because I realized the current message about exercise being portrayed to people must be too “extreme,” “insane,” and “hardcore.”
Gone are the days that people gladly get a new pair of running shoes, an outfit and join the gym. Now people procrastinate searching the web about training only to get terrified and confused by the concept of having to go “Paleo” and the prospect of tearing off the palm of your hand after switching to “beast mode.”
To be clear, exercise is not scary. And at TFW we will prove it.
You see, sitting on the couch and eating fast food is scary.
Lifting a bar with weights off the floor while working out is not dangerous. Lifting too much food to your mouth without working out is dangerous.
Running, jumping and sweating is not going to disable you.
Cancer, diabetes and heart disease will disable you.
Click the link to download the 10 Reasons Why You Should Drop 10 – 15 Pounds
Send Me My Top 10 Reasons Why!
Fitness is not the enemy here. Obesity (which can be the cause of all the other diseases I mentioned) is the enemy here and I want you to be more afraid of that.
During the evening, as I talked about the expectations for the program, I could see the fear start to melt away. The initial anxious scowls were turned into optimistic smiles.
But I had to wonder:
“What about all the people that didn’t come tonight because they were too afraid? What about the people around the world that walk up to a gym door, but can’t muster the courage to open it and walk in?”
That was the moment I knew I had to write this in hopes at least one reader is empowered to use the “Most Important Aspect of a Successful Fitness Program.”
The highlight of the orientation was not me presenting, but my wife and another TFW veteran named Michael sharing the results our program has produced for them. Both testimonials about how the program has helped them in terms of weight loss, muscle gain and the reduction of health risks was valuable, but each of them shared the secret to succeeding at anything:
YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP!
Michael let the group know he spends his days driving for work and had gained over 50 pounds. He knew he was eating the wrong things. He knew exercise was important. He heard it from both his doctor and his kids.
Notches on his belts his tailor was telling him too. But he said nothing happened until he committed and SHOWED UP the first day. My wife shared similar challenges and just the simple action of SHOWING UP wiped that fear away enough to let her get started.
Do any of these make you nervous about starting something new?
- Fear of Failure
- Fear of Change
- Fear of Injury
- Fear of Rejection
- Fear of Reality
If you are fearful about starting anything new like a fitness program, career choice, musical instrument or even writing a blog, the secret of SHOWING UP will make those nerves go away.
Action is the magical cure to your fears and you don’t need a prescription to get it. Action is where the fear ends and the excitement begins.
SHOW UP and you can no longer let the first step be what’s holding you back.
SHOW UP and your calling, art, passion becomes more believable.
SHOW UP and your potential will start to come through.
The first thing I did at the orientation was congratulate the attendees on his or her courage. When they looked back quizzically, I reminded them they had already taken the most courageous step: they SHOWED UP.
Now I am challenging you.
You are letting your fears hold you back from something. Whether it is your fitness, family, work or passion, you know the world is waiting for more. At Training For Warriors, we ask you to be a warrior.
A warrior is defined as a fighter.
A warrior is also defined as being brave.
And bravery is not the absence of fear, it is SHOWING UP in spite of it.
Time to SHOW UP,
Martin
Do you want to learn how to drop 10-15 pounds? Looking to start a fitness program? Your local affiliate TFW Renegade in Eagan, MN is starting a 8 Week Transformation this next month! This program is designed to get you started and motivate you toward your goals!
FILL OUT THE FORM BELOW and one of our Certified TFW Coaches will be in touch with you right away!