Rome wasn't built in a day

In my workout today, Tony Horton, the trainer who created P90X, mentioned something about fitness that reminded me of my topics of late and the value of actions repeated over time.  He said, referring to our bodies, "Rome was not built in a day."  You see, muscles aren't built overnight.  Well, at least not large ones.  As we lift weights or stress those muscles beyond their current comfort zone (even while doing yard work, house work, etc.) there are micro-tears in the muscle.  That's why we're sore after workouts or certain activities.  While we recover, those tears are repaired and additional muscle fills in the tears.  This is adds lean-muscle tissue, which by the way, is the stuff that burns the most fat.

From Tony Horton's blog from just a couple of days ago:

Everyone knows by now that the start of a new year creates the desire to be a better person. Smoking, drinking, bad eating habits, procrastinating, better work habits, spend less, save more, get fit, lose weight, and so it goes. Enthusiasm that will last well into April. Turns out that long term change is really hard and falling into old habits can happen with very little pressure from the outside world.

Turns out that success comes to those with good mentors, a rock solid plan that fits your lifestyle, a means to stay accountable, and surrounding yourself with like-minded people. Many many folks with the best of intentions have been winging it year after year with little or no change. I meet far too many people who have fallen off the wagon. They were on the program but something happened and before you know it 3 or 4 weeks went by and 10 to 15 pounds come back and they're right back where they were. Sound familiar?

1. Follow the person and/or program that makes sense to you.
2. Write down a plan that forces you to stick with your goals for the next 12 months.
3. Find 3 ways to stay accountable even under the most adverse conditions
4. Run from lazy naysayers and find people who want more out of life.

Work hard, create a plan, stick with it for 12 months and surround yourself with other positive people. Great suggestions Tony!

So can we expect huge, lean bodies after working out for just a week?  What about a month?  Can we expect to do Yoga like Gumby after just a week?  What about a month?  Sure we'll see improvements happening immediately, but the most impressive improvements will come over time.  Not only will our bodies begin to change, but our minds will also.  These changes will not happen over night. The next day after a hard workout, we may ask ourselves why we do what we do.  Why stick with it if there is so much soreness associated with the activity?  Why 'punish' our bodies?  Plainly put, the improvements gained, far out-weight the discomfort.  In my experience, most of those improvements are internal and not viewable to others from the outside.  Improvements include, better breathing, stronger muscles, increased flexibility, more confidence, increased blood flow to through the body, a stronger heart, better concentration, more restful sleep, etc.

Whatever area of our life we're working on, we need to remember that "Rome was not built in a day."  Our success will not happen over night.  This will take a plan, time, dedication and a commitment to succeed.....a daily commitment.  Decide...  Commit...  Succeed...