My original intent for this follow-up from my last article was to focus on specific principles of aerobic, cardiovascular and muscular training principles. However upon reconsideration, I felt it may be more appropriate to deal with another common issue that is a hindrance to many individuals. Also, this article will feature some recent photos of me in the gym. These photos reflect my commitment to health and fitness, as I feel if you don’t practice what you preach, you hold little credibility.

When I began training many years ago and started realizing that nutrition must be incorporated into my lifestyle, my enthusiasm, desire and motivation were, well, SKY HIGH! As my body was growing and the compliments poured in, my ambition was also quite high.

Then I ran into my first plateau – boy, was that a discouragement! I soon realized that this first plateau - what I now choose to call “boulders in my path” - was the first of many boulders to come that were to be much larger. These “boulders” frequent all individuals trying to achieve anything. It does not matter if your goal is fitness, financial security, graduating college, or inventing a new product; the point is this – if you are to achieve, you will fail multiple times. The successful person always finds a path around the boulder whereas the unsuccessful person will be stopped in their tracks with despair and discouragement.

The unsuccessful person will blame others, society as a whole, genetics, lack of funds… and the list goes on. The successful person turns the negative into a positive by assessing the situation, focusing on the positive and overcoming.

I once spoke with a very intelligent man by the name of Wolf Rinke who stated “The people that have achieved the most success have also achieved the most failure.” In other words, “The biggest successes are also the biggest failures!” When you fail, you have successfully found a way that does not work for you – try something else!

What all of this is leading to is this – you can have the most elaborate plans, the highest motivation, goals plotted out, research done…and so forth, but all of this boils down to your daily decision to go forward. ALWAYS GO FORWARD. The daily decision to perfect your body must always be there. Expect that boulder and remind yourself that no path is smooth all of the time.

You should strive to achieve the best body that is possible for you – not “the best body.” We all have different abilities, strengths and weaknesses. In looking at myself, my calves are a strong body part, as well as my back. Other areas tend to be weaker like my arms. Try to assess your strengths as well as your weaknesses and focus on overcoming. Never say, “I could have” or “If only that didn’t happen” or “It is just easier for you”. These are all excuses that you are building as a wall to allow yourself to NOT GO FORWARD. If you are one of these people, change now! Accept your weakness and focus on the positives.

“The Daily Decision” is a concept you must stay focused on. I cannot emphasize that point strongly enough. The following question is a good determinant to assess if you are going forward: “What have I done today, learned today, or changed today that will further me in my goals?” If you don’t know, re-focus and make the assessment.

“Success” is a subjective mind-set and in reality is determined not by what you have achieved, but by what you have achieved in relation to what you were capable of achieving. It is a pursuit, not an actual endpoint! What is a success for you with very hard work may be easily achieved by someone else who by no means could be considered a success!

I am a success by what I have achieved and my mindset, but my battle goes on with boulders as it always will. The key is to draw strength from the boulders in your path and logically and systematically destroy them. When you have done this a couple of times, you are a success because most people would have quit right then and there! You will notice that overcoming is a great feeling (this is called “drawing strength from obstacles”) and you are now stronger and more capable than prior to your difficulty.

Lastly, never feel your starting points are too small. For some, walking to the front door may be your first goal (degenerative joint disease and obesity may be your boulders) while for others it is a 26-mile marathon. We all have starting points. Remember, you will never get where you want to go if you don’t start at the beginning and focus on your daily decision to go forward.

My next article will focus on specifics of aerobic, cardiovascular and muscular training that can be done at home or in the gym in minimal time.

Kevin Andrews, RD is the owner of Dietitian and Fitness Services. He can be reached on the web at Dietitianandfitness.com, or by phone: (951) 326-0959.