Fit for the Long Haul

Barack and Michelle are going to change the habits of our nation of people in spirit, mind and body.  The examples and messages being delivered by their behaviour is phenomenal.  As a fitness professional, however, I will only speak to the changes I hope and anticipate seeing as a result of their personal focus on health and fitness. For example, we already know he gets up everyday and goes to the gym; plays B-ball like he “wants to be Mike,” and makes us all droool with his shirt on or off!

We also know both of them work consistently at everything they do, have done, and will be recognized for as we move forward.  Fitness and health are certainly no exception.

You would have to be blind to miss that Michelle also takes quite a deal of pride in her body, as evidenced by the shoulders, back and arm tone evident during the dances in the Asian American designed ball gown.

Regardless of how you may have felt about the dress, Michelle did not carve out those shoulders with a couple of light weight shoulder presses. 

They both have been active at fitness….for the long haul.  And as fate would have it, the New York Times, Health article during the week of this historic event reported,

“To make a change in how you look, you are talking about a significant period of training,” Dr. Kraemer said. “In our studies it takes six months to a year.” And, he added, that is with regular strength-training workouts, using the appropriate weights and with a carefully designed individualized program. “That is what the reality is,” he said.

While genetic differences among individuals mean some people respond much better to exercise than others, said Dr. Mark Tarnopolsky, an exercise researcher at McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, he added that although he does not think the before-and-after photos in ads are doctored, most people will not change so markedly no matter how hard or long they work. “I believe they are taking the top one or two people out of thousands,” Dr. Tarnopolsky said.

People who did change their bodies say six months is a bare minimum to see real change.”

This should not be a surprise.  It is, however, refreshing to see it written and admitted.  

Many of my clients come to this realization when I ask them to establish a fitness goal for their weight loss or weight management program.  New Year’s resolutions that are made without the long haul goal in mind are destined to last – as most seem to do – about 2-3 months.  Getting fit for the long haul requires, dedication, stamina, self-control, determination and for some, a kick-ass trainer or teacher to push them along the way.

BTW, buying exercise equipment for the home, may not be the solution.  Another January 2009 New York Times Health Article stated, “Every year, consumers spend an estimated $4 billion on home treadmills, stationary bikes, Stairmasters and other equipment that ends up gathering dust. A Consumer Reports survey last year found that nearly 40 percent of those who buy home exercise machines say they use them less than they expected.” 

Dr. Williams said there were simple ways to increase the likelihood that you will keep exercising. Working out with friends or family members, mastering an exercise (like the proper way to use gym equipment), and working with someone who motivates you, like a personal trainer, all build confidence and bolster the chances of sticking with it. Share this with a friend via email: eMail