It Takes Faith
May 23rd 2007 12:58
The adoption of a definite major purpose will go a long way toward gaining for you the fitness level that you desire. We are all different,of course, and the desires we have are also different. Regardless, few of us will attain what we seriously desire without the commitment of our time and effort. In a post called 'The Scariest Word in Fitness" I have previously emphasized the importance of commitment. Reading the fluff fitness press you would hardly know that serious long term commitment has anything to do with being fit. Reality teaches otherwise.
If you make a commitment to fitness you will need something that adheres closely to commitment and without which commitment cannot be entertained for long: faith. Faith is the key to sustaining a commitment. Faith is the suspension of the present in favor of the future. "I must endure inconvenience and discomfort now because in the future I intend to reap a reward which will in its satisfaction trump all the dissatisfaction."
Oh ye of little faith! When you begin a fitness program or recommit to one you will go through a nearly euphoric period when you so much want what you are seeking that the discomfort of the present isn't too much for you. Somewhere along the line though you are going to get tired of the limitations that discipline places on you and you are going to waver. That low point in your faith that your purpose is going to work out is the crisis point of your program. The gym is full of people every January who never successfully overcome this crisis. Everyone, I assume, encounters such a moment. How to deal with it?
I suggest that you buoy your wavering faith by feverishly latching on to any and every sign of success that you can and to set the most trivial goals to achieve and feed your feelings that you are progressing. " I am going to the gym 4 days this week." "I am not eating sugary food at all this week." When you reach one of these goals, rejoice. Let yourself know that you are doing what it takes to succeed and that it is only a matter of time. Then set some new goals. A pattern of small goals achieved will sustain your faith. Yes, you do have to baby your faith from time to time. Without it,however, you will fail and fast. Your servant,as always.
If you make a commitment to fitness you will need something that adheres closely to commitment and without which commitment cannot be entertained for long: faith. Faith is the key to sustaining a commitment. Faith is the suspension of the present in favor of the future. "I must endure inconvenience and discomfort now because in the future I intend to reap a reward which will in its satisfaction trump all the dissatisfaction."
Oh ye of little faith! When you begin a fitness program or recommit to one you will go through a nearly euphoric period when you so much want what you are seeking that the discomfort of the present isn't too much for you. Somewhere along the line though you are going to get tired of the limitations that discipline places on you and you are going to waver. That low point in your faith that your purpose is going to work out is the crisis point of your program. The gym is full of people every January who never successfully overcome this crisis. Everyone, I assume, encounters such a moment. How to deal with it?
I suggest that you buoy your wavering faith by feverishly latching on to any and every sign of success that you can and to set the most trivial goals to achieve and feed your feelings that you are progressing. " I am going to the gym 4 days this week." "I am not eating sugary food at all this week." When you reach one of these goals, rejoice. Let yourself know that you are doing what it takes to succeed and that it is only a matter of time. Then set some new goals. A pattern of small goals achieved will sustain your faith. Yes, you do have to baby your faith from time to time. Without it,however, you will fail and fast. Your servant,as always.
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