Fitness Focus: Overcoming Obstacles

If you're like me, the quest to be in shape, manage weight and overall well-being, at times, feels overwhelming. And, as if the quest to be fit isn't hard enough, there's often other obstacles to overcome: health issues, time management, mustering up courage or energy. Even if you've been exercising for a long time, there's always new barriers to be broken. So, how to put all of this into perspective? According to Tom Turner, executive liaison for the Spina Bifida Association that's exactly it: Perspective. And also, according to him, there's no mountain too high to climb. Tom would know. Paralyzed from the waist down since birth he's now 33 and trains about three times a week. In fact, he tells me, he just couldn't get along without exercise.

So in my quest for the last word on overcoming barriers in fitness, Tom sat down with me and together we came up with 3 basic principles that will help break-down fears and intimidations in reaching fitness goals.

(After all, if he can exercise on a regular basis, shouldn't that be encouragement enough for anyone to give it a shot?)

Principle #1 Move into the Fear.

"Train you mind to believe no mountain is too high or any goal is too difficult to attain," Tom tells me. Basically, it's all about meeting your fears and facing them head-on.

In this principle, aim to recognize your fears, acknowledge them and then move through them. Ask yourself what is it that makes you uncomfortable? Have you let yourself get out of shape and are afraid you'll never get back? Do you have an injury that's caused you to be afraid of your body?

If you can visualize creatively, then you can put your fears in check. See your self as you'd like to be. Remember: your body loves you and has the potential to heal itself to perfection. Your only job is to trust it and listen.

Q: What is your body saying to you?

Principle #2 Trust Your Intuition.

It is important when overcoming obstacles and learning to break through barriers that you begin to listen to the still small voice of your body. In most cases, we all want the comfort of having someone telling us what we can and cannot do. However, our highest truth lies within us. This is not to say that the good opinion of others is not important, but ultimately the decision making comes from within.

When facing a challenge or an obstacle look to how you feel. What are your instincts telling you? Often it is simply your instinct that will move you into a new mindset and raise your consciousness.

"I wasn't about to let the wheelchair stand in my way," Tom tells me. In fact, he says he had to merely change his perspective about it. He says he first had to learn about what his restrictions were then, create a boundary for himself. "We all have boundaries," he tells me. "Regardless if a person can walk or not, obstacles are as unique as people themselves. Therefore, it's first best to know your boundaries."

Next, Tom tells me he aims to meet those boundaries.

"I first reach as high as I can within the confines of what I am able to do. Whether it be more sets, reps, or greater endurance, I allow myself as much time as necessary to accomplish my small goals. It always surprises me, with small steps, how quickly I can reach a Big goal."

Principle #3 Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night.

What then, about fear? I wanted to know. If we move into the fear and meet it eye to eye what if fear meets us there? "So," I asked Tom: "are you ever afraid?

"After 19 operations in my life, I've really come to terms with fear," he says. "It really comes down to our most primal fear; fear of death. Once you realize that death is all part of the divine plan, it's liberating, you can let it go and, instead, choose how to live. So instead of being afraid of death I decided to choose how to live."

So what's the take away message? Talking to Tom, I'm reminded of the poem by Dylan Thomas who said: "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night." It seems appropriate here. The bottom line: Staying afraid often keeps us from truly living.

Tom reminds me that a positive attitude is key, "Life is all about attitude." He also says he could let fear beat him down, yet he doesn't. "I wouldn't want to miss being part of tomorrow," he concludes.

That said, what fears are getting in your way? Make today the right time to face them.

In conclusion: Life Beyond The Boundaries.

When you've faced your fears and pushed your boundaries to the edges, what then? I wanted to know.

Tom smiles. "Find a new mountain to climb," he says matter-of-factly. "It's what makes life fun. I know I have considerations. I know that there will be days that I'll need to stay in bed and rest while my braces are getting tuned up. It's those times when I am with my thoughts that I decide what I am going to set my sights on."

Author's Note: In my personal quest to live beyond the boundaries I've chosen Tom as my role model (lucky for me, he's my brother). We so often look to the media for these sources and so often they are illusory. There are "real" people everywhere doing great things...look around you; angels are everywhere! Learn from them. Choose someone you look up to, admire or of whom you appreciate their values. Set goals, climb mountains! Set intention in motion and enjoy the healthy process.

Tom can be reached at vettman@rochester.rr.com

About The Author

Laura Turner, C.P.T wants to help you build a Brand New Body in 2004. She is building an Online Fitness Community at ===> http://www.1brand-new-body.com. Set goals, Lose Weight, Get Fit and healthy. No more excuses! Start now.

VioletProsePubs@aol.com

---

An Introduction to Tennis

Is tennis good for you?Absolutely - tennis is a gentle... Read More

Programming Brief: Exercise Order

One of the fundamental principles of exercise prescription, specifically resistance... Read More

Super Charge Your Metabolism

1. Cardio in Combination with Strength Training- If you need... Read More

How to Get The Most From Your Home Workouts

A recent study found that home workouts may do even... Read More

Exercise And Stress

"Stress is when you wake up screaming and you realize... Read More

How to Maximize Your Fitness Results

What I am about to reveal to you can make... Read More

4 Exercises That Will Help You Change Your Body Faster Than Any Other Exercises You May Have Tried

1. Lunges with a barbell. Properly executed, this exercise is... Read More

5 Ways to Fit Fitness In

Five points to consider when you want to fit fitness... Read More

Elements of Exercise

Warm upWarming up before exercising has physiological and psychological benefits.... Read More

Planning An Exercise Program

When designing an aerobic or strength training exercise program, fitness... Read More

Exercise - Anxiety & Panic

Yes, all I'm afraid this does play a part in... Read More

Burn that Fat - The Most Efficient and Effective Exercise Yet Devised by Man!

Rebounding: Health and Fitness BenefitsAs quoted by NASA, rebounding is... Read More

How to Supercharge Your Energy Levels through Exercise

Your energy levels will depend on several factors, including genetics,... Read More

Exercise Nutrition: How To Keep That Energy Up!

How many times has this happened to you?>> You psych... Read More

Workouts That Travel

A vacation can do wonders for reducing stress levels, but... Read More

Tone Up While at Work

I know better than anybody that sitting at a desk... Read More

Strategies for Alleviating the Boredom Associated with Exercise

Just about every expert in the ADD field will tell... Read More

Your Guide To Exercise

Even light exercise is good for you, so don't get... Read More

No Pain, No Gain Isnt True For Arthritis, But Exercise Is Still Important

Recent studies have shown that exercise may acually help people... Read More

Exercising With Kids -- Tips For Parents

Making exercise a priority is a challenge for everyone. And... Read More

The History of Pilates ? It All Began With One Sickly Child

A look into the history of Pilates helps you understand... Read More

Why Do My Feet Hurt So Much When I Run?

If you are a seasoned runner you know the importance... Read More

The Science of Carbohydrate Loading

A valid connection between hypoglycemia, fatigue and premature termination of... Read More

How to Find a Gym and Start Exercising

There is hardly a week that passes without an article... Read More

No Time For The Gym?

As you have undoubtedly heard, college students around the country... Read More

Lance Armstrongs Training Tactics: #1 Rule - Greatness Needs NO Explanation!

Great endurance racers will tell you "Leave your egos at... Read More

Online Fitness Coaching

If I were to tell you that you could burn... Read More

Exercise Is a Key to Good Health for All of Us

There's plenty of evidence that an essential component of a... Read More

How To Overcome Workout Plateaus

Humans are habitual. They strive on routine and rituals. While... Read More

Complete Physical Transformation Using The Purposefully Primitive Fitness Methodology

The Purposeful Primitive approach to the art and science of... Read More

Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Hypertension, Obesity, and Asthma!

Different Health Problems generally do not allow us to do... Read More

Best Flat Tummy Exercises for Great Female Abs

Are there flat tummy exercises that are the best for... Read More

Exercising In Heat

Summer is officially here. Finally you can pack away your... Read More