Gyms and Fitness Clubs

The Power to Keep You Going

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When it comes to exercise, it takes tenacity. No matter who you are or how long you have been exercising, something will come up and you will end up taking a hiatus. What determines whether you will get going again is your vision. If you have a strong vision of where you want to go it will give you the strength to make it through times of personal doubt and feelings of laziness.

So many people quit their exercise program after only six weeks because they lose interest or don't see the results they thought were possible. You need to realize that results don't always come quickly. I know we live in a "now" society; that is, we want everything now and don't want to wait. If you want to see results with exercise, you have to work for them. This is where having a vision is important. If you have a vision that is very clear and real to you then it will become the fuel you need to drive you day after day, week after week and beyond. I truly think that the ability to keep going when the going gets tough is the key to being successful at making exercise a part of your life. A word for this is perseverance. I have an entire chapter dedicated to it at the end of this book.

Another way that vision can be powerful in helping you to exercise is its ability to help you set goals. Bill Phillips, in his bestselling book, Body For Life, says, "When you develop a strong future vision, you don't have to force yourself to set goals, your mind just compels you to set them. And every time you accomplish an objective, it's not the end of anything; it's the beginning, the starting point for another stage of an ongoing journey of progress, development, growth, and adventure."

Goal setting is critical for the new exerciser as well as the seasoned veteran. But, in order for goal setting to work you must first have a vision.

Let me ask you this: when you decide to go on a vacation, do you just pack your bags and start driving? No! You first envision where you want to go, and then take the steps necessary to get there.

The same is true with exercise; you need to know where you want to go. Maybe it is to lose a certain amount of weight or to do well in a competition. It can be many different things, but it should be only one thing. This one thing is what will drive you each day. In order for this vision to become reality you need to map out a way to get there. You need to set some goals that will bridge the gap between your current status and the one you envision happening.

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