168 Hours in a Week – Are you committed to doing the right things?

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Don Schlenbecker, CSCS, NSCA-CPT, President, Peak Performance Training

I don’t think a day goes by where I don’t hear someone complaining about their lack of workout results.  Many people can’t seem to understand how it is possible to work out 4-5 days a week, and still not lose any weight. As your Health Corner fitness professional, let’s discuss the reasons why this happens, and what we can do to change this dilemma.

We live in a fast-paced, quick-fix world, where reality is sometimes shielded by the many “miracle” products or machines that so often cross our path.  Infomercials are loaded with products/machines that will tone your abs, tighten your bum, and shrink your waistline. They place well-toned models/celebrities alongside these products to show you exactly what will happen for only 3 payments of $39.99!  Reality, I think not.

There are plenty of factors that play a role in improving your fitness level and reaching your goals.  In future health corners we will discuss the ABC’s of Fitness: Accountability, Balance, and Commitment. Today let’s look at the importance of commitment away from your trainer, and outside the gym.

A truly committed exerciser maybe works out close to 10 hours per week.  On average, I would say that it’s a little closer to 3-5 hours a week.  Either way, the bottom line is that in the best case you are not working out 158 hours per week.

158 hours!!!  During this period of time, what you do is just as important as the 10 hours you spent working out.  Nutritionally we are always challenging our body, either by starving it, engorging it, or just filling it with the wrong things. Are we taking the elevator at work, or are we using the stairs?  Do we sit down in a chair all day, or do we take a nice walk at lunch? When we get home do we play with the kids, or the couch and remote? Are we giving our body the rest that it needs at night?

All of these questions and many more can easily be answered and changed to work for us rather than against us.  A well conditioned person is; accountable for his/her actions away from the gym, learns to balance work, play and rest; and is committed to making the correct choices.

I’m sure we have all heard someone say how losing weight changed their life.  I’m here saying that changing your life will help you lose the weight.