I've been training a great group of IT officeworkers recently.
We meet at lunchtime in a park near their work and they warm up by running to the park, all ready for a strength training session.
What has impressed me most about this group is their commitment to their own goals, improving their health & fitness by showing up to their sessions no matter what.
Winter in Melbourne can be pretty unpredictable but it hasn't rained on us yet and no matter how cold, grey or windy it's been, there they are twice a week in the park, putting in 100% and really enjoying what they're learning about being fitter and stronger.
One of the guys hasn't really exercised much for about 20 years and was shocked at how difficult the first few sessions felt but his persistence is paying off and after only four weeks of training he is feeling the benefits of increased energy at work, at home and playing with his kids.
We all have busy lives with commitments to work, family and other people.
Make time to give yourself more energy and more vitality to live your great life.
Make a commitment to yourself, you're the only one who can.
There are all kinds of powders, pills, products and programs that promise you weight-loss, body sculpting and six-pack abs. Mostly on late night infomercials.
Surprisingly, the mere purchase of these items does not deliver the results you want.
I have seen the most expensive exercise equipment sit in people's living rooms and become the most expensive clothes hangers.
This happens a lot with treadmills and elliptical machines; they are great for drying washing.
No, those "shoes with the curved sole" do not magically tone your thighs and bottom; try walking everyday, in any well-fitting sports shoe and doing strength exercises a few times a week.
No, that "scientific sports drink" isn't "more hydrating than water" (yes, I've had a salesperson actually say this to me) it just contains sugar, salt and colors. And is more expensive.
Nothing is more hydrating than water.
Drink more water.
No, that "slim-shake" won't make you lose weight and therefore happy; you may drop kilograms on the scale but it's likely to also be lean muscle.
When you stop taking the shake (you were planning on living on them forever?) and you haven't learned to prepare and enjoy real food, you burn less energy and your body gains back the weight plus some.
And if you're unhappy, losing weight won't make you happy.
Be happy now.
You can make the small manageable changes to your environment that will get you to you goals.
You are the only one who can.
Drink enough water.
Get enough sleep.
Eat quality food, regularly.
Move your body, regularly and specifically.
These four basic principles of health are not particularly sexy, they won't make you look like a supermodel, they do not sparkle and fizz and they do not have any celebrity endorsement or a glamorous and expensive marketing campaign.
They do work and they are free.
Do them every day and feel the difference.
I've been training a great group of IT officeworkers recently.
