A better approach

BY DAVE HUBBARD, FIT10 FOUNDER

MOST PEOPLE ARE WASTING A LOT OF TIME

With all I have learned about exercise, it is my strong opinion that most people have their exercise pyramid upside down. Many are seriously lopsided toward cardio exercise, doing little if any serious strength training, and are therefore wasting a lot of time.

The best approach is to accomplish your cardio training at the same time you're doing your strength training. This method saves a lot of time and insures that you're more apt to do your workouts consistently.

METABOLISM AND WEIGHT LOSS

Of the three primary determining factors of metabolism (genetics, age and muscle mass), the only one you can control is muscle mass. Building muscle mass has clearly been shown to be the best way to speed up the metabolism.

Combining muscle-building exercises with cardio will result in long-lasting weight loss due to the increase in metabolism. Therefore, the goal of any weight-loss program should be to build muscle mass, thereby increasing the metabolism. This is not possible through any other method but strength building exercise!

By age 72, 1/4 of American men, and 2/3 of American women cannot lift an object of more than ten pounds! This has brought on an epidemic in America today, osteoporosis. One in four women over the age of 50 and one in eight men over 50 has osteoporosis.

The key to permanent weight and fat loss, strong muscles and strong bones, strong heart and strong lungs, etc. is building and maintaining your strength!

THE OBSTACLES

Years ago I began doing research on why such a large percentage of our population is metabolically unhealthy. I discovered that there are 5-obstacles that prevent success with fitness.

  1. TIME — Most people are super busy. Americans have proven they will spend more time and more money on a good maintenance program for their automobiles and their pets than they will for their most valuable asset.

  2. CONVENIENCE — There’s an incredible irony here. We have the best gyms, clubs, and facilities that we’ve ever seen on the planet—and yet the statistics are now higher than ever. 80-percent of those who join a health club after the first 30-days will not go back on a regular basis. It has nothing to do with the facility—it’s a time-convenience problem.

  3. BOREDOM — I’ve noticed that my threshold for boredom has really decreased over the years. There’s a reason for that. We have been systematically manipulated by technology to become more and more impatient with anything that “takes too long.”

  4. SORENESS — You have the same ability to build muscle at the age of 75, that you did when you were 25. But that same ability does not apply to your joints. As we age our joints present a problem when it comes to exercise, and especially with building muscle mass.

  5. STICKING WITH IT (Staying motivated) — The ultimate test of any exercise program is that six years down the road, you’re still doing it.

OVERCOMING THE OBSTACLES

I became obsessed with developing an exercise program that would virtually eliminate every obstacle (or excuse) that anyone could come up with to not exercise. And that’s exactly what I did! Here’s how my fast and effective exercise program overcomes each of the above mentioned obstacles:

  • Time - Fit10 workouts are quick and can be done anywhere. Get in, get out, and get it over with!

  • Convenience - The Fit10 exercises can be done virtually anywhere and at any time, including when you travel.

  • Boredom - You do 3-4 different exercises, you’re done before you have time to get bored.

  • Sticking with it (Staying motivated) - Studies prove that success comes when you develop a daily habit. Like brushing your teeth, you will develop the habit of doing your workout every day. When was the last time you forgot to brush your teeth?

A DAILY WORKOUT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE

“A workout is 25% perspiration and 75% inspiration. Stated another way, it is one-part exertion and three parts self-discipline. Doing it is easy once you get started. A workout makes you better today than you were yesterday. It strengthens the body, relaxes the mind, and toughens the spirit. When you work out regularly, your problems diminish, and your confidence grows. A workout is a personal triumph over laziness and procrastination. It is the badge of a winner, the mark of an organized, goal-oriented person who has taken charge of his or her destiny. A workout is a wise use of time and an investment in excellence. It is a way of preparing for life’s challenges and proving to yourself that you have what it takes to do what is necessary.” —George Allen, former head coach of the Washington Redskins

I cannot begin to tell you the extraordinary benefits that consistently working out can have on your life. It’s dramatic because it relates to so many different areas of your life, as coach Allen so aptly described. Once you experience it you will never give it up.

Once you are physically and metabolically fit, meaning you have regained your strength, flexibility, endurance, and stamina, you can begin participating in more and more recreational activities. There are so many fun and exciting things to do this day and age.

DON’T PROCRASTINATE

Procrastination is my sin. It is my pain and sorrow. I think I will correct myself. I think I’ll start tomorrow.

Many people live their lives with the following motto: Why do today what I can put off until tomorrow? Someone once said, “Tomorrow must be a very long day based on all we’re going to accomplish then.” Don’t put it off!