Anyway, it did get me thinking of how many “idiots” and “dummies” guides there are. I have no idea of the actual number, but I’m sure it is an astounding figure. After all, most of us are clueless in many areas. Common sense comes to mind with a few people I know.

Seriously, the idiot guides do give us a chance to delve into matters that we would otherwise consider to be over our heads or just too much trouble. Yes, we are clueless and lazy. More of my friends faces are flashing before me.

No, really seriously, I mean it. Dumbed down is the way to go. Simplicity is beautiful. Life is getting to be way too complex. That’s why we are so stressed out. We can’t get to home plate because someone has added extra bases. Lots of them.

The day job is not just work, but questions, phone calls, pissed off customers, angry bosses. I forgot to bring lunch and I’m friggin broke! I am behind and will have to work the weekend, again.

What can we do to survive the onslaught? The war, the economy, the bird flu. Where is the bird flu? If only I had some place to go where I could unwind and just focus on one simple thing that makes me feel good. What’s a dummy like me to do?

Oh yeah. I almost forgot. Whew, I’m glad I remembered. See you at the gym.

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This was obviously a mock situation as I believe the game was a charity event, but the game was happening and T.O. was about to play. They interviewed him and he said he had just gotten off the plane, but was ready to have some fun. That, to me, was worth watching.

Meanwhile, I noticed one of the players already in the game was Floyd Mayweather Jr. (the world’s best pound for pound boxer). He was on the team ahead at that time, and was probably the main reason for their lead.

The first thing that stood out was the ability of these athletes from other sports.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. looked like he was in mid season form, demonstrating awesome basketball skills. I had to double check to see if it was maybe Gary Payton in disguise. His movement and coordination was quick and smooth. His pull-up jumper looked professional. Just plain sweet.

Then T.O. came into the game, loping along with a big grin on his face. Naturally, he ran with ease. Soon he was in the corner and the ball was passed to him. With a defensive player in his face, he turned and smoothly nailed a three pointer as though he played every day. Just off the plane! How cool is that?

Moments later, he was near the hoop as he received a pass and put it up for two all in one easy motion. Soon after, a flying reverse lay-up, in traffic, with a ton of spin. Wow!

At first thought, it might seem natural that these guys are good at other sports. After all, they are world class athletes. But hey, have you ever seen Charles Barkley’s golf swing?

The point I am getting at is that these are highly conditioned individuals. Their muscles are perfectly toned, their reflexes honed. Sure, they learned these skills at some point in their lives, but their fitness allowed them to perform at a high level.

This can apply to you whether you are a pro or a Joe. Fitness will help you perform your best. If you are in the weight room and on the track during the week, then you are going to play better in your weekend softball game.

If you strengthen your muscles and increase your endurance, any physical activity is going to be easier. That yard work or roof repair is not going to put you down for the next two weeks if your body is in shape. You get the idea.

Of course, T.O. is still going to kick your butt at almost any sport. Mayweather will just kick your ass.

See you at the gym.

• Joewarrior.com – Weight Lifting Exercises – Muscle Building – Fitness

Wonderful, you have made it to step one.

This is where I am supposed to assure you that getting fit is easy and fun. Just cut your beer intake in half, eat pizza only on game day and walk around the block three times a week. Really, it is that simple.

Also, if you play Tiger Woods Video Golf every day for a year, it will carry over to your real game and you just might be good enough to play on the PGA tour.

OK, enough silliness.

If you want to get fit you must start a workout program. Get off your butt and do it.

Join a health club or the local YMCA. Buy some weights or get a home gym of some sort. Take a yoga or Pilate’s class. Run and then run some more.

Yes, you will need a healthy and balanced diet, adequate sleep and probably a little less stress in your life. But, you must work out.

Small changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator, or shooting hoops on Saturday are not going to do the job.

Do not fool yourself. Getting and staying fit is not something you dabble in. Three to five times a week, every week is the only way. You must make it a regular part of your life. From this point on, for the rest of your life.

I repeat, you must stick with it. Three months will give you some solid results. Forever should be your goal.

It does not have to be boring. There are many exercises and activities you can do. Change it up and try new things when you get bogged down. Experiment with different methods. Once you reach a certain fitness level, go for the next.

Being fit is an endless and life enhancing process.

Here are three actions you should consider to get started now. Do at least one.

1. Research some weight lifting exercises and put together a workout routine covering the various muscle groups.

2. Find a highly ranked muscle building program and follow it.

3. Look into what supplements might be beneficial in your fitness quest.

Do you have the desire to build big muscles, increase your stamina or just get into decent shape? Then do it!

See you at the gym.

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Like a wave of energetic gerbils, they will come. The gym will be a blur of designer warm-ups, water bottles and mp3’s. I can already hear the treadmills whirring and 15lb weights clanking. The stationary bike area will resemble day one of the Tour De France.

I look forward to seeing the determined faces and eager bodies adorned in shiny new outfits. It’s fun trying to figure out who will stick it out and who won’t make it past two weeks. Cruel but true.

And, as the first couple of days go by….I wait. Maybe the hangovers are lingering.

As the week passes not much changes. They could be too broke from the holidays to buy workout clothes.

Day ten finally brings what first appears to be a couple of newcomers. No, it’s just old timers that gained weight over the break and have stumbled back in to try again.

Two weeks in, I have almost forgotten about resolutions and have become used to the uncrowded space. The recommitted have stepped back into their routines. That is comforting. I am focusing on fighting off the winter blues and being super fit when spring arrives.

A few new couples show up. They have look alike workout clothes and are full of enthusiasm. It warms my heart. Some guys my age wander in. They are not way out of shape, but their work is cut out for them. I hope they are ready for the battle.

Over a period of days and weeks the number of new faces does increase. There are spurts of activity but nothing like I envisioned. The stampede never happens. Some folks are still trickling in throughout February.

What does this mean?

Most of us are such habitual procrastinators that we even put off taking action on resolutions that will improve our health. It takes weeks or months before we begin to follow through on the fitness promises we make to ourselves.

How can we possibly summon the determination to get fit when we put off simply starting? It almost seems hopeless. We are lazy. This is why we are out of shape to begin with. Sure, we are busy and tired, but still we are definitely lazy.

Is there hope? Yes, it is simple. You just have to start. Once you start, the wheels are set into motion. You get a sample of what is possible. It feels good to take action. You may falter, but the positive results will entice you back.

Have you thought about getting into shape, losing weight or building muscles?
When are you going to start?

I would like to personally encourage and invite you to show up at the gym. I long to see the new clothes and colors, hear the whirring and clanking, and witness your determination and enthusiasm.

See you at the gym.

• Joewarrior.com – Weight Lifting Exercises – Muscle Building – Fitness

While at work I often found myself looking forward to that evening’s workout. In fact, the thought often helped get me through the morning. I even made sure to eat a healthy lunch and afternoon snack to get my body ready.

Then with an hour to go, I would feel a little fatigue setting in. The remaining tasks seemed harder to accomplish. My thoughts wandered from the weight room to my recliner. My commitment wavered as I left work. It sometimes came down to a last second decision when I stopped at the local intersection. Would I go left and head home, or turn right and workout.

I wish I could say that I put my mind to it and came up with an easy method to beat procrastination, but it was completely by accident. I realized one day that I had been turning right more often and set about to discover why. Had I finally become a fiercely determined warrior? Hardly. Upon reflection I discovered what was propelling me to the gym.

My son Jarryd had been running more as part of his boxing training, which motivated me to upgrade my own workouts. I began doing more cardio every day before lifting. That is not necessarily the standard, but at my age it’s good to get an extra warm up before hitting the weights. Also, I am more compelled to lift after running than vice versa.

I found, to my amazement, that I was really enjoying the cardio sessions. Running on the treadmill or riding the stationary bike became a part of the day I looked forward to. By starting out each workout at a relaxed pace, I could unwind, space out and forget my day. That was the key. Even when I was getting tired at work, I would be drawn to the gym for the escape and recovery it provided.

Now, when I feel procrastination setting in, I picture myself on that bike or treadmill, going along at a casual pace and fading off into my own world. So, I make it to the gym, start slow and let inertia set in. After a while my heart rate increases, my motivation along with it. Then the pace naturally evolves to a focused and intense workout.

You can easily incorporate this into your motivational process. When you are at the gym, explore which activities you like most. What would entice you to come on almost any day? Maybe it’s starting slow on your favorite equipment or leisurely stretching on the mats. You might feel full of energy and head straight to the weights (with an appropriate warm up).

It could be a person instead of an activity. It may be the music or some other part of the environment. Whatever it is, recognize it and use it. See you at the gym.

• Joewarrior.com – Weight Lifting Exercises – Muscle Building – Fitness