Post by Brian Ayers, CSCS on Oct 25, 2008 13:03:15 GMT -5
I've recently been reeding a book called Talent Is Never Enough by John C. Maxwell. If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it. The book is written in regards to talent in business, however a lot of the lessons are applicable to the fitness world.
In one of the chapters Maxwell discusses perseverance in a way that I feel applies to anyone struggling through a rough patch on their road to fitness. "Confronted with adversity, many people give up while others rise up. How do those who succeed do it? They persevere. They find the benefit to them personally that comes with any trial and they recognize that the best thing about adversity is coming out the other side of it." He goes on to point out that "Perseverance doesn't really come into play until you are tired. When you are fresh, excited, and energetic you approach a task with vigor...only when you become tired do you need perseverance. To successful people fatigue and discouragement are not signs to quit. They persever them as signals to draw on their reserves, rely on their character, and keep going."
This is one of the hardest things for many people to do when it comes to diet and exercise. Once a person decides to make a change, they are generally excited and while that excitement can get them started, it's perseverance that will keep them going. Some times you plug away in the gym and stick to your nutrition plan but for one reason or another your progress plateaus. That's not the time to give up. Most of the time you just need to change up your approach a little. Maybe try a different training routine or adjust what you're eating. If you need help there are personal trainers and nutritionists there to give you the tools you need to succeed. Giving up should never be an option.
In one of the chapters Maxwell discusses perseverance in a way that I feel applies to anyone struggling through a rough patch on their road to fitness. "Confronted with adversity, many people give up while others rise up. How do those who succeed do it? They persevere. They find the benefit to them personally that comes with any trial and they recognize that the best thing about adversity is coming out the other side of it." He goes on to point out that "Perseverance doesn't really come into play until you are tired. When you are fresh, excited, and energetic you approach a task with vigor...only when you become tired do you need perseverance. To successful people fatigue and discouragement are not signs to quit. They persever them as signals to draw on their reserves, rely on their character, and keep going."
This is one of the hardest things for many people to do when it comes to diet and exercise. Once a person decides to make a change, they are generally excited and while that excitement can get them started, it's perseverance that will keep them going. Some times you plug away in the gym and stick to your nutrition plan but for one reason or another your progress plateaus. That's not the time to give up. Most of the time you just need to change up your approach a little. Maybe try a different training routine or adjust what you're eating. If you need help there are personal trainers and nutritionists there to give you the tools you need to succeed. Giving up should never be an option.