The Four Stages of Fitness

First, I believe there are four basic stages in a Physical Fitness Program and we all fit in there somewhere.  Physical fitness begins with the singular thought that we must improve our physical condition or we are in for a long unhealthy journey. Lets look at the four stages of fitness we all go through.  Each stage has its difficulties and rewards but as we shall see, Stage #4 is where we want to be.  I believe to get there and stay there is the ultimate reward and requires some physical work and a tremendous amount of mental determination.  What I’m looking for are dedicated people interested in reaching their full physical potential no matter what their age happens to be.

Stage #1 This is the beginning stage of a program and it usually has a lot of enthusiasm. You are getting a little flabby and run out of breath when you climb the stairs or you look in the mirror and don’t like what you see. You look down and only see the tips of your shoes because your gut is in the way. People are surprised when you tell them how old you are, they thought you were ten years younger.  You decide to do something about it!  This is a critical stage and certainly the easiest.  Enthusiasm runs rampant! People join expensive Health Clubs, buy the latest gym wear, expensive athletic shoes, new water bottles and anything else they could possibly think of to enhance their program.  While all this is good I think you can begin with the basics.  Good athletic shoes, workout shorts and shirt, water bottle and a decent place to work out. Some people love the huge megacenter gyms with all the bells and whistles and some, like myself, prefer the convenience of a good neighborhood gym. Of course it all depends on what is available and what is more comfortable for you. Some people are extremely uncomfortable in a large gym, particularly when they are just starting out. Get to a place that has adequate equipment and you feel relaxed in.

Stage #2 We begin to work out at the gym and can’t believe how difficult it is!  What the hell were we thinking about? It’s an absolute horror!  We watch the clock and can’t wait for the time to end.  We hate it and at times feel foolish doing it. We know deep down in our souls this can’t possibly be a lifetime endeavor!  Very reluctantly we move forward.  God, how time slows down in the gym! This is the dreaded Stage #2.  This is where most people begin and end! Some end it very quickly and some very slowly and painfully. What happens to the multitude of failures here is actually very simple. We don’t tire out physically, (although we think we do) we actually tire out mentally.  We literally drag ourselves to the gym like we are walking our final mile.  Remember, our minds control everything we do, not the physical body. The body is screaming at the mind to stop this nonsense.  Go home and lay on the couch and have a beer or a couple of donuts! The mind is the boss of course but sometimes it is not very strong.  It can’t listen to the screaming body any longer!  It must stop this nonsense and get the body back to the refrigerator and on to the couch as soon as possible!  Or, something else may happen!  The mind may begin to be much stronger than the body! The mind may understand this is very good for us and it will take some time to succeed. The mind knows it must take control and not listen to the complaining body. The mind slowly begins to understand this is the path to success and happiness. The mind makes an extremely important decision.  “This is the only way to go and we will continue!”

Stage #3 Something is happening here!   We don’t exactly love the place, but we continue faithfully going to the gym.  We are actually seeing some results! Pounds are dropping off and we are getting stronger. We are not only tolerating it, but actually beginning to like it! Well, sort of liking it. It is a little inconvenient and there are other priorities but we are feeling pretty good about ourselves. We now go into the gym and actually recognize people. They greet us like fellow jocks! Can you believe it? This is becoming very interesting.

Stage #4 Your wife or husband tells you to skip the Gym today and you act as if they want you to stop breathing for an hour or two!  “Skip the Gym? Are you kidding me? Today is back and chest day and I need the miles on the Treadmill!   I must go to the gym”!   Now we’re talking!   It may sound a little extreme but if you are thinking this way, even if you don’t actually say it, you have arrived!  Man have you arrived, there is no going back!

I have a theory that eighty percent of the people mentioned above never get out of Stage# 1 or 2.  Ten percent drift in and out of Stage #3 and the other ten percent reach the great stage of nirvana that fulfill them and enrich their lives like nothing else. We are talking about the great Stage #4 baby!  If you are already in that great stage I’m going to make it better, if you are not there yet I’m going to get you there.

This site is for the Stage #4 people and those who want to go there, no matter where you are at this time. My main interest is in the over sixty group but come along if you want, no matter what age you happen to be, male or female, young or old.
I want to turn you into You, the hard working gym rat who refuses to quit.

The information I’m going to give you in the coming months will either change your life dramatically if you are just starting out, or help you to continue on the strong fitness path you have always been on, no matter what your age.

We have a lot to cover as far as workout routines, nutrition and lifestyle changes are concerned but first I would like to begin with my philosophical approach to all of this.  I would like you to close your eyes and repeat this to yourself: “I am not too damn old to do this”!   Or, if you have been working out for years: “I will never stop working out”!   You will never willingly stop working out until it is physically impossible. This is your mantra!