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

---

How To Gain An Avalanche Of Energy!

For many people out there trying to become more energised... Read More

An Introduction to Tennis

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

Different Exercises Schedule to Combat Diabetes, Arthritis, and Obesity!

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

Avoid These Top 5 Workout Myths

Do you know the health and fitness industry is plagued... Read More

The Right Exercise Intensity

We've all heard the exercise guidelines that recommend we participate... Read More

Arthritis Exercise ? One Way to Relieve Pain & Stiffness in Your Joints (part 3)

There are three main types of exercises to include in... Read More

Top 10 Exercise Mistakes and How To Fix Them

This is a list of ten common mistakes made during... Read More

Monitor Your Body Fat Levels For Results

A very important aspect in really finding out if you're... Read More

Debunking Common Exercise Myths, Part 1

Myth #1: Heavy weights make you "bulky"Heavy weights typically do... Read More

3 Exercises for Good Posture and a Six-Pack

These days many people spend a significant part of their... Read More

Great Exercises To Tone & Tighten Your Butt

A question I am frequently asked by females is, "What... Read More

Bodybuilding Sins That Cause Back Pain and Missed Workouts: Part 4

Welcome to article number 4 in our series "Bodybuilding Sins... Read More

Basic Abdominal Exercises

If it's six pack abs that you're after, daily abdominal... Read More

Online Fitness Coaching

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

Programming Brief: Exercise Order

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

Elements of Exercise

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

4 Steps To More Effective Aerobic, Streching, and Weight Training Exercise

We all know that well-balanced diets include the different nutrients... Read More

What the Philosophy of Tai Chi Can Do For You

Taoist PhilosophyTo understand the purpose of the form it is... Read More

How to Keep Your Body Fit

Fitness is just as imperative as health. As a matter... Read More

The Amazing Health Benefits of Walking for Exercise

Walking for exercise is a purposeful, brisk walk specifically designed... Read More

The Fundamentals of Pilates

There are people who are fond of getting an exercise... Read More

The Benefit of Back Exercises

Back exercises are often prescribed effectively as an alternative to... Read More

Speed Training With Intensity - Bound To Get Faster

Bounding can be a great addition to your high intensity... Read More

Precision Abdominal Training

It's almost impossible to turn on the television or open... Read More

Easy and Effective Home Workouts

Many people think that creating a home workout gym is... Read More