Getting Started

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.  Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.  It is our Light, not our Darkness, that most frightens us."

- Marianne Williamson

Starting new, taking that first step, and diving head first into a new challenge can be terrifying.  It is at that very point, right before we commit, that we are instilled with a great deal of self doubt.  Am I ready? Do I have what it takes? Can I really do this? These exact questions manifest within all of us; when we allow the fear of the unknown to take over.  Today, we set aside our fears, our doubts, and our disbeliefs.  We are in control.  Nothing in life will happen, if you do not take that first step.  It is time we throw caution to the wind, and take action!

Living the Finding Fitness lifestyle will encourage you to constantly seek, and embrace new beginnings.  Pursuing the most out of life, will always lead you towards a path less traveled.  It is only the brave that are able to blaze new trails with a determination that is unabated.  We are on the path to becoming the best versions of ourself, and nothing will stop us!

My previous writings have been focused on what I consider to be the prerequisites, of truly beginning the Finding Fitness lifestyle.  Without inspiration, and motivation, we lack a driving force.  Without the understanding and uphold of self accountability, we lack commitment.  Without goals, we lack direction.  Without the knowledge of nutrition, we lack the fuel to ignite our fire.  Without mentors, we lack understanding, and leadership.  

Knowing these fundamentals allows you to take on any challenge.  You have developed a strong base, and cannot be stopped.  No matter what your starting point is, no matter how large your goals, or how deeply embedded your aspirations are, we all need to begin at step one; getting started!

Fitness is at the forefront of our life journey.  It is the element that we use to shape our mind, body, and spirit, into an invincible force.  Now that you have established the aforementioned prerequisites, you know what you want, and it is time to get it! 

The internet can be both your best friend, and worst enemy when approaching fitness.  There is a vast array of information that is available at your finger tips.  Unfortunately, a large percentage of it is worthless, and detrimental.  The most influential piece of advice I can give you when first starting your endeavor towards fitness is; KEEP IT SIMPLE.  It is not the time to delve into the wonders of the most recent research based evidence, crediting the latest "trend" of fitness.  This will only leave you confused.  Start with the basics!

Know your primal patterns of movement: Squat, Lunge, Push, Pull, Bend, Twist, Gait.

By simply incorporating these patterns into your fitness regime, you can be completely sure that you are following a system that will lead to the most functional body possible.  

Establish your goals, and get started! There is no silver bullet, no magic pill, and no lazy man's approach, to forging an indestructible mind, body, and spirit.  It will take hard work, dedication, sweat, and focus, to get what you want out of life.  Starting with a center, based on fitness, will forever be the greatest asset you have towards accomplishing everything you want out of life.  The time is now.

GET STARTED!

Mentors

"The mediocre teacher tells.  The good teacher explains.  The superior teacher demonstrates.  The great teacher inspires."

- William Arthur Ward

We, who live the Finding Fitness lifestyle, are always aspiring to enrich our lives.  We know that it will take hard work, dedication, and an indomitable will, to face life's challenges head on.  At our points of greatest weakness, it often seems, that what we want out of life, is inconceivable.  A mentor, is the person that illuminates our inner light.  They provide positive reinforcement, and not only illustrate the possibilities that lay ahead of us, but substantiates these beliefs by "walking the walk."

Everyone needs some form of mentor in their life.  This person can come in virtually any form.  At times, it does not require that you ever meet.  You may not even share all the same beliefs.  The mentor is someone that has been, where you want to be.  They inspire you, because they prove that what you want is possible.  Seek a mentor that has specific qualities you admire, and learn from them.

By writing this blog, I not only want to help you attain the most out of life, but I want to be a mentor.  I want to inspire you.  I want you to realize that following the Finding Fitness lifestyle will forever elevate your mind, body, and spirit to points you never thought imaginable.  This blog is the means in which I can speak to a large audience, and share my beliefs, but it is only a mere segment of my goal to become a mentor.  It is one thing to "talk the talk" it is another to "walk the walk." Everyday I apply my own beliefs to my life, and act upon them.  A mentor should be in the trenches.  They should be  doing everything they can to fulfill their life, so that they can share their knowledge.  I believe that my purpose on earth, and my greatest strength, is my ability to share fitness.  Whether it is through personal training sessions, or online writings, I choose to share the Finding Fitness lifestyle, because I'm living it!

Go out there and find the person that inspires you! I would never tell you to try and mimic someone.  Always be yourself.  Rather, learn from them, and apply their breadth of knowledge to positively support you in your quest for success.  I have several mentors, many of whom I have never met.  I see what they do, I see what they have accomplished, and I see that they are living what they preach.  These people are our greatest asset.  They keep me inspired, so that I may in turn inspire others.

The greatest gift you can give, is being someone's mentor.  Remember to always share what you have.  Sharing your greatest strength will not only be fulfilling to your own personal life, it may have a large impact on someone else.  Find what you are best at, and share it with the world.  Be a positive role model, and live what you preach.  I can only hope that I am able to one day inspire you, the way the mentors in my life, have inspired me.  

You do not have to be perfect, to be a mentor.  Everyone has something special, and unique about themselves, that if shared, could positively impact those that surround you.  It is time we spread the power of the Finding Fitness lifestyle, and make an impact on this world!

MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Setting Goals

"The significance of a man is not in what he attains, but in what he longs to attain."

- Kahlil Gibran

I often reiterate the fact that, Finding Fitness, is a life long pursuit.  At times, we can look at things we strive for, and see no ending point.  The light at the end of the tunnel seems so dim and meager, we become engulfed by the metaphorical darkness.  Quite often, people choose to give up on things, because they seem unattainable.  We at Finding Fitness do not give up! Everyday, we push harder, and harder, and harder.  We know what we want, and we do absolutely everything within our power to get it!

Setting goals is a tremendously important component to the Finding Fitness lifestyle.  In my previous writing, I told you to choose both a short term goal, and long term goal.  Today we will dive into the specifics of goal setting, and the power behind them.

Today's writing applies directly to my current life situation.  Three years ago, I wrote long term scholastic goals for myself.  As I entered my first day at school, I knew exactly what it was, I was going after.  By first setting goals, I had clearly defined objectives to meet.  With each goal, I set specific dates.  This allowed me to follow along a timeline.  It gave me the direct knowledge of knowing my current stand point, in regard to each goal.  As of today, I can say with great pride and honor, that I accomplished every goal I set forward.  The most recent goal was made official by the passing results of my Boards exam, for licensure to practice Physical Therapy.  What's next?  

Goals are not just made to give us something to strive for.  They give us direction.  When you set long term goals, you have a constant reminder to stay on your current path.  Having a well defined, written goal, allows you to see that light at the end of the tunnel.  As time goes by, and you progress towards that goal, you see that your time invested is paying off.

Short term goals are the key to attaining long term goals.  Everyone enjoys recognition, and instant gratification, for specific accomplishments.  When you strive for a long term goal, it is not often you see the "reward." It is a long, challenging, and grueling process.  It is very easy to get caught up in the difficulties of this process.  Short term goals are designed to keep us on track, and to provide us with positive feedback along the way.  

Setting goals in the proper format is critical to uphold validation and ensure success.  The goal must be clearly defined.  "Getting in shape," is a perfect example of what, NOT to do! Rather, create a goal with more specificity, such as "lose 10 pounds." If the goal is specific, and readily measurable, you have a far greater chance of seeing that goal come to fruition.  Recognition of reaching a goal, is just as important as the journey towards the goal.  

Create a timeline.  Short term goals are best measured in 1 month increments.  Long term goals can span from 1 year, to a lifetime.  Having set dates forces you to be honest with yourself, and gives you clarity as to where you currently stand.  

Here is a basic schematic of how short term goals, are directly involved in the long term goal:

LONG TERM GOAL (1 year): Lose 24 pounds

SHORT TERM GOAL (1 month): Lose 2 pounds each month

Every month, this will give you a clear indication as to where you stand with your long term goal.  

Never be afraid to celebrate the success of your short term goals.  They are extremely important.  By celebrating, you are recognizing your efforts and success.  At the same time, be sure to recognize your failures.  Following the established formula from yesterday's writing, you will be able to recognize the failure, define what the cause was, and establish a solution.  Doing this each month is vital to the success of your long term goal.

It is time to write your goals.  Create the goals, and use your invincible determination to make it happen.  As a bonus, write a goal that is virtually impossible, and would require a lifetimes work.  Finding Fitness is not about getting somewhere and relishing in your achievement.  It is about getting somewhere, celebrating success, and pushing towards the next goal.  It is a lifelong commitment towards living your life to the fullest.  Never stop making new goals.  Anything is possible.  It is time to make your dreams a reality.  Always strive to be a....

GOAL GETTER!  

Failing to Succeed

"I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times, I've been trusted to take the game winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed."

- Michael Jordan

As you read the title to this post, you may make the assumption that this blog is going to detail the underlying reasons why, one might be failing to succeed at something in life.  Although this is partially true, the title itself was created to instill a new definition, meaning, or belief in failure.  

In the United States, we have been programmed to believe that failure is an abomination.  If one is to fail, that means they have given up, abandoned the American dream, and should be shunned for letting not only themselves down, but the people around them.

I am going to tell you that if used properly, failure is the greatest thing you can do in life! Failing to succeed does not mean you are incapable of succeeding.  It means, you have to push yourself to the point of failure, and only at that lowest point, will you recognize what you must do to succeed.  I want you to fail! I want you to give it absolutely everything you have.  Leave it all out there, give 100%, and do not be afraid to fail.  

Recognition of failure, the causality, and producing a solution; this is the formula for success!  If you have never failed, how can you truly know you gave it everything you had? This formula applies to every single facet of life.  

Attempting a new personal record at the gym.  Starting a company.  Writing a blog.  Going for a promotion.  Starting a new career.  Going back to school.  These are all things that place you at risk for failure.  If you never take that first step,  and put yourself at risk for failure, then you never know what you could have, or would have accomplished.  Not taking the chance, is the only real failure that is; UNACCEPTABLE!!!

The greatest moments in your life will be achieved through multiple failures.  It is what we do after failure, that defines us.  Giving up, abandoning hope, and accepting failure is not an option.  When you live the life of Finding Fitness, failure is inevitable.  You are a go getter.  You take chances.  You push yourself to your limits.  You do not take, "NO," for an answer.  I will be the first to tell you, failure will happen.  I have failed countless times.  

In life, it is not about how many times you get knocked down, it is about how many times you get back up.  Dust yourself off, and try again! Finding Fitness is about living to the fullest.  Challenge yourself.  Start something new.  It is a rare moment that all life's "stars" will be in alignment.  Do not hesitate, DO! Life is about going out there and doing the best that you can do.  Do not fear failure.  Fear never giving failure a chance.  It is time to learn and grow from life's failures.  

GO FAIL!

Time

"Only actions give life strength; only moderation gives it charm."

- Jean Paul Richter

Time is of the essence.  It is of vital importance to monitor, control, and regulate your schedule based on the time you have available each day.  One of the greatest aspects in the life of Finding Fitness, is the fact that you EARN free time.  You must first act, to earn this free time! 

Moderation is the missing link towards finding balance in your life.  I constantly remind you to seize the day, take control of your life, and start doing! Just as important as keeping active, and pursuing the Finding Fitness lifestyle, is finding time for yourself to rest and relax.

First things first, you must be proactive in life to have "free" time.  General guidelines, and studies, show that you need 8 hours of sleep a night.  What you do not see, is what you should be doing with the 16 hours you are awake.  Most of the time, people fail to include fitness in their life because they use the excuse "I don't have time." A simple answer, and response to this should be; MAKE TIME!

When you make time for fitness, you immediately have more energy.  When you have more energy, you are willing and able to accomplish more throughout the day.  When you accomplish more, you begin to develop a system, or a daily routine.  This routine serves as a great basis to map out your days, and plan your time accordingly.  

Make the most of your time while you are here.  You only have one opportunity at this life, so live it to the fullest!  Yesterday I followed my own advice, and had an amazingly relaxing day.  I took the day off completely from working out,  and from writing this blog, and drove up to Maine to celebrate my Fiances birthday.  This idea of taking time out to relax, recover, and enjoy the simple things in life was already on my mind, but it was my trip back from Maine that truly defined this writing.

It is very easy to find yourself simply going through the motions of life, and getting caught up in the monotony of everyday living.  Do not take your time here for granted! I was on the trip home, by myself, when all of a sudden, I was hit by a storm and my car was engulfed by a torrential downpour of rain.  As I struggled to see the road, due to the sheer velocity of the rain, my windshield wipers completely cut out, and I was driving blind at 65 miles per hour.  It was in that moment that I realized how much you need to appreciate life, and the time you are given here.

Time can mean so many things. I tell you to live in the now, and get stuff done.  I will also tell you to take time out and relax.  When it comes down to it, you want to make your time worth having.  Finding Fitness allows you to live your life to the fullest.  Take the time out each day to begin your Finding Fitness journey, and participate in some form of physical activity.  Take the time to do something you love.  Take the time to recover.  Bottom line is, time is your friend, an asset, a benefit, and a privilege.  Do not make time out to be the enemy.  Life is waiting on you!  

For those of you who have notoriously used the "I don't have time" line when it comes to fitness, here is a short and sweet 10 minute bodyweight exercise routine that can be done anywhere:  

*Burpees x 30 seconds

*Jumping Jacks x 30 seconds

*High Knees x 30 seconds

*Mountain Climbers x 30 seconds

-Repeat 5 times without rest

Whether you are heading out the door to get active, or taking the time to relax, the time is now!  Get busy living.

MAKE TIME!

Getting High

"Character can not be developed in peace and quiet.  Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."  

-Helen Keller

I will start by saying, I do not promote, condone, or suggest the use of drugs.  Of any kind! 

I will also be the first to say that I LOVE getting high.  Yes, I said it, I LOVE getting high! In fact, every morning at 6:40 am, at the top of "The Mountain," I meet up with 2 of my good friends to get high out of our minds.  Instead of popping pills, or smoking bongs, we are getting high off pushing ourselves to the very limits of physical exertion.  Even the act of creating every morning's conditioning routine, initiates a level of pride and exhilaration that can not be explained unless you have experienced it for yourself.  So, put down the hash pipe, and follow along as we discuss the greatest high of all; Finding Fitness.

Pure euphoria.  An altered state of mind that brings such levels of pleasure, and happiness, you are immediately hooked.  Finding Fitness is that drug; you want some?

My writings are typically inspired by the people I surround myself with, the things I see on a daily basis, and my own personal belief's.  This particular writing was directly inspired by the words of one of my trainee's.  After a grueling session of fighter style conditioning, this individual finished off with a variety of complex, and progressively changing combinations on the mitts.  With nothing but the "number" of what punch to throw, he pushed through with every whit.  His speed, intuitiveness, and attention to detail had never been so great.  He was in a state of mind I had never seen from him.  Immediately after the last punch was thrown, he looked at me with wide eyes and said, "I love it, it's like a high I can't explain!" It was at that moment, I knew he was hooked.  

He had sipped the proverbial Cool-Aid.  His quest towards Finding Fitness, had finally lead him to that point.  The phenomenon that occurs when you have pushed to the brink of exhaustion.  You are riddled with sweat.  Your body shakes, and aches, but you feel inspired.  You have a new found awareness of how far you can truly push yourself.  An aura of greatness has overcome you, and damn does it feel good! 

At that exact moment, he was truly high as a kite.  Science would tell you that he had an overwhelming presence of feel good chemicals in his body such as: endorphins, serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine.  I call that getting high off life!

You have never truly lived until you feel that rush.  This rush comes in many different forms for people.  The versatility to the Finding Fitness lifestyle is the fact that it is about going out there and finding what you love.  Doing the things you love.  Living a life that you love.  Getting high off life occurs when your body is in motion.  Laying stagnant, becoming a couch potato, and living the life of sloth gets you nowhere, brings you no happiness, and in the long run, leaves you living an unfulfilled life.  

I ask that  you go out there right now, and get higher than you have ever been! Find out what you are made of.  Forge that iron body, mind, and spirit.  Do something that takes you out of your comfort zone.  Whether you go for a run, lift some weights, run sprints, swim, hike, kayak, rock climb, perform gymnastics, or play tag with your kids, do it to the utmost. Make every action count! 

Life is full of stressors and can be extremely difficult at times, so why not embrace one of the few things guaranteed to bring you happiness.  Welcome the Finding Fitness lifestyle with open arms and make your dream life a reality.

Go Get High!

Fuel the Fire

"Tell me what you eat, and I will tell you who you are."

- Brillat Savarin 

In my previous writings, I discussed the importance of motivation, dedication, perseverance, and accountability.  What I will tell you today is that, what you eat, will either maximize or minimize your results in the quest towards Finding Fitness.  A most often overlooked subject is diet.  Nutrition is what fuels the body.  Without proper nutrition, how can you ever expect to live a full life?

In the most basic terms; food is our fuel.  Without food we are unable to create energy.  Without energy we are unable to perform.  If we are unable to perform, we will never move forward towards our life long pursuit of finding fitness.  

NOT ALL FOOD IS CREATED EQUAL!

This is where the debate begins:  What to eat.  When to eat.  How to eat.  

I want to make things as simple as possible for you.  Nutrition is extremely important! The saying "you are what you eat," was created because it is a defining characteristic in how you are portrayed to others.   Bottom line, when your diet is in order, you look, feel, and act like you are full of life.  When your diet suffers, you suffer.  Your body becomes an empty shell, of the once vivacious person you were.  

I preach the carryover effect of the Finding Fitness lifestyle because it is amazing how quickly you will see the positive effects in every aspect of your life.  During this pursuit, you will begin to notice your decision making skills vastly improve.  You get to bed at a reasonable hour, so you are ready to take on the challenges of the next day.  You avoid drinking alcohol excessively, because you are in the "getting stuff done" mentality.  Even without the proper knowledge of diet, you will begin to eat the way your body wants to eat, and avoid indulging in the things your body does not need.

What to eat.  This subject matter could be broken down scientifically, and I could bore you with thousands and thousands of reports, but in the end, Keep It Simple! Food is found in nature, so eat natural! Avoid eating anything that is processed.  If the food comes with a label, you begin running a risk.  If that label has a single word on it you do not know, put it down! Meat, fruit, vegetables, and nuts are the building blocks of a healthy and balanced diet.  Think of these 3 major things when you want to set up a basic diet routine for yourself.  1.)  Know your proteins,  2.)  Know your carbohydrates, 3.)  Know your fat sources.

Below is a quick list, that if you stick to, you will see immediate benefits in both physical and mental qualities.

Quick List

*These are the foods I suggest to make up the basic building blocks of a healthy diet.  Add fruits and veggies, and you are off to a great start.*

Protein - Fish, Chicken, Eggs, Beef, Turkey, Bison, Whey Protein, Cottage Cheese

Carbohydrates - Brown Rice, Quinoa, Steel Cut Oats, Kidney Beans, Black Beans, Sweet Potato, Gluten Free Bread, Gluten Free Cereal

Fats - Walnuts, Almonds, Avocado, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Brazil Nuts, Flax Oil, Fish Oil

When to eat.  This is quite possibly the most debated subject ever.  Remember from my earlier writing, I said to always seek balance.  Diet is just the same.  Eat regularly, and your body has a much easier time of processing, creating, and maintaining balance.  The rule of thumb is to consume the aforementioned foods in the "quick list" every 3 hours.  We want to improve our quality of life with our diet, not detract from it.  Keep it simple.  Stick to the basics, and you will begin to feel more energetic, powerful, attentive, and satisfied.

How to eat.  Balance, balance, balance! Forget the idea of breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  Your food is there to fuel you and propel your forward in finding fitness.  Each meal, and you are eating approximately every 3 hours, should be of equal portions.  When you do this, each meal is small, simple, and satisfying.  You never wait too long to become "starving," and you never eat too much to become "stuffed." Seek balance in everything, and you will promote that quality of life you are searching for.

We want the most from our lives.  We do not want to simply go through the motions.  We are here to make the most of it, enjoy it to the fullest, and pass on the knowledge of the Finding Fitness lifestyle.  Maximize your efforts by taking the time to eat properly.  

Go Eat.  Go Live.