The Fitness Creed

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Added: Tue. Oct 12, 2010 5:38pm
Posted in: Fitness

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A few years ago, I decided to get fit and lose 62 pounds. During this remarkable process, I developed a personal philosophy to guide my efforts. Articulating this creed was a useful exercise; hence, I am inspired to share my ideas with others who are undertaking their own fitness journey. Here are the 10 guiding concepts:

1. Just do it: At a minimum, each day needs to include a period of playful creativity and exercise.

2. When you don’t know what to do, do whatever is in front of you: If you don’t know where to begin, ask for help. Learn from—and lean on—those around you.

3. Every day is a new day, unlike any other: Enthusiastically welcome each day as an opportunity to continue your fitness journey.

4. If the rearview mirror is all you see, it’s not safe to drive forward: The only obstacle worse than letting past failures block your vision for the future is being asleep at the wheel.

5. Make hay while the sun shines: It’s better to develop your own unique fitness program before you develop an irreversible medical condition.

6. Waste not, want not: Measure your fitness footprint and adopt environmentally sound approaches to eating and exercise.

7. Be useful to others: Live life with purpose by encouraging everyone around you to share in the joyful fun of being alive.

8. Now is always the right time to begin: It’s never too late. Today may never seem like the perfect time to begin, but it is always the right time to begin.

9. Experiencing good health throughout life is the goal: The best way to reduce medical costs is to avoid incurring any.

10. If your shoe fits, you’re not allowing room to grow: Continuing your education stretches your mind, just as regular exercise stretches your body.

Our bodies are wonderfully forgiving. After nearly 40 years of abuse, my body responded magnificently to my efforts to eat healthfully and exercise daily. While there was still time, I learned how to take care of my body. Before it was too late, I appreciated the gift my body represents. Our bodies are, after all, the only place we have to live. So I encourage you—and everyone I meet along the way—to join me on a journey to fitness.