3 DEGREES VS. 180 DEGREES - “WHICH ONE WORKS FOR YOU?”

The personality of the individual often determines the long term outcome of their exercise program.
The vast majority of people want to see immediate change once they begin an exercise and nutritional program. The reality is that we often times place expectations on ourselves which ultimately set us up for failure. The average person who is not seeing the changes occur as they want, will not fail but will quit or continually change plans hoping for a easier or quicker way to reach their desired results. Therefore, we must understand that if we are truly changing our lifestyles and behaviors, it is often times easier to change slowly (3 degrees) vs. quickly (180 degrees). Over the last 20 years I have had the opportunity to witness many well intended people who have committed to exercise programs. I have seen many people stop almost as fast as they started. I hope the following will help us all understand why so many feel as if we are not successful at getting ourselves in shape. Initially the person must start a program that has all the aspects of a successful long term exercise program addressed and in correct proportion. You will know this program when you see it because it will feel correct but fairly complicated. It will address resistance training, cardiovascular conditioning, stretching and the most important aspect, nutrition.
Thus, once you have acquired the “absolute” then it is a matter of determining how best to get to the “absolute”. While most who participate in a long-term exercise program are always striving to complete their personal 180 degree change, attempting to execute such a sharp turn too quickly is a sure course to disaster. Many become overwhelmed and tend to feel restricted and deprived. Therefore, making
small but significant 3 degree changes at a time, will allow you to see slow but consistent change and will continually have you looking forward to your program. Therefore, when you make your turn to fitness, remember...slow and steady always wins the race.

----- Lance Fessler