The "Fitness Fantasy"

I competed in a Figure Competition in 2010, it was a great experience and I learned a lot about fitness, shedding fat and gaining muscle.  It wasnt an easy process.  It required major changes in my lifestyle in the areas of exercising, diet, time management, sleep habits and even my budget.  I did lose weight and was more in shape but even with all of that hard work and sacrifice I still didnt quite get the body I really wanted.

Now, I could have continued to work harder and compete to actually get the body I dreamed about but I knew what it would require and it wasnt for me.  While I do enjoy fitness/working out, it is not my passion. For the average person, while fitness and exercise is enjoyable, it isnt a passion nor their job/career. This is where I think the disconnect lies with what we often see.

We are constantly bombarded with advertisements that often times put an emphasis on desire- how to obtain the things that we dont have.  One of the most common of these center around our bodies and weight loss, Lose 10 lbs in Two Weeks, Get the Body you Always Wanted, Get Abs of Steel, etc.  We then see an image of our “dream” body we say to ourselves- “I want to look like that!” as the ad strategically answers the question “How?”

I call this the “Fitness Fantasy” what you see will more than likely NOT be obtained through the purchase or consumption of the good or service that is advertised.  WHY?

1. Most of these methods are a quick, temporary way that will not lead to long term success.
2. Most are endorsed by paid actors and actresses who may not have actually done or consumed what they are endorsing.
3. Endorsers or product promoters are those in which fitness is there life, not a hobby.    They live and breathe fitness and most of their day centers around fitness in some way.
4. Endorsers may already be thin or dont have as much body fat therefore, it isnt as hard for them to “get in shape”.
5. Additional money is often needed to spend on fitness related products and services i.e.- supplements, gym memberships, etc. in order to obtain and maintain the “dream body” isnt mentioned.
6. More time than you may have is often times required in order to get that “dream body”.

If you are looking to lose weight and/or get in shape, dont get caught up the in fantasy of trying to obtain “the perfect body” or the unrealistic desire to get a body like someone else.  When we chase after a fantasy, we often times fail.

You can get a better body, get in shape and lose weight but first you will need to  focus on you, your own personal goals and how you can realistically achieve them. Focus on the long-term, asking yourself “Will I be able to do it long term at least three months to eventually lifetime maintenance and Will it fit into your current lifestyle?  

Dont get me wrong, I am not saying that getting that “dream body” is impossible but it will take a great sacrifice in your current lifestyle with major changes in your fitness and diet regimens.  You will need to make a realistic assessment and ask yourself if you can realistically make this changes and maintain them long-term. If so, go for it!

Take a look at the “ The Fitness Reality” images and dont get fall into the trap of the “Fitness Fantasy”.