There is no one formula on how to become functionally fit. I don’t even think I can provide here a To-Do list that everyone can engage in to be fit.
I perfectly understand how each one of us comes in a different packaging: 2XS, XS, small, medium, large, XL, 2XL, 3XL, etc. Some of us are endomorph, others mesomorph, still others ectomorph, and we can’t help it; it’s our body type.
And so getting into a training regimen to keep fit depends on many and various factors. What wonderfully works for me might be too much of a hard work for you.
For me, working out hard to get fit, and wanting to just stay this way, has become a lifetime commitment. The path has never been easy but the little joys I experience from engaging in it have made this a pleasant task to do each day. Like other activities I like doing: eating my favorite food or sleeping in, or simply hanging out with friends.
Through these months, I have realized that the more important factors of becoming fit are time management, high motivation, and clear focus on the goal.
Time has probably proven the most challenging for many of us enthusiasts for physical activities.
Since I have a demanding full time job, I decided to make my daily routines more intentional. I do all possible to ensure to devote time to engage in a fitness activity each day.
Let me just share with you here six essential things that I do that have so far helped me achieve my fitness goals.
One, I watch what I eat. As much as possible I get to know everything that I put in my mouth. I make friends with my foods, and if it will take me away from my goal, I just don’t eat it.
I normally have fruits and vegetables, fish, chicken, and once in a while, red meat. I avoid eating nuts and legumes/beans, fatty foods, and sugar-rich foods like ice cream and cake.
Instead of a cup of rice per meal, I have been good to cut it down to 1/2 cup for breakfast, 1/2 cup for lunch, and no rice for dinner. When I have cravings for carb, I boil some root crops such as sweet potato.
Two, I do some form of exercise every day, just like we need to brush teeth after meals. Exercising has become second nature to me. Something I cannot live without.
Success isn’t the key but faithfulness to the regimen is. So every time I manage to get a good grip on a higher level of exercise, I celebrate. But I never settle on it. Like in running, I would go farther or faster to test my limits.
My cardio routine used to be running at the Perdices Stadium Oval 30 minutes to an hour. When I started joining fun runs, I discovered that I actually loved running. It would give me a sense of accomplishment or I would feel more free; or that I can do anything using my body. Then I started doing long runs, anything beyond 10 kilometers.
My first long run race was the 21-Kilometer Amlan Adventure Run held in April. Since then on, I felt unstoppable. I joined the Valencia 25-Kilometmer in Valencia, on the same month of April. It was the longest I ever did thus far. Then in July, I finished the Tanjay Half Marathon, and last week, I happily finished the Sandurot Half Marathon.
After finishing the race in good time,I just felt that all the pain and the training paid off.
Three, I reward myself with activities that I enjoy doing. Since I know that I love the outdoors, I engage in adventure activities in my efforts to challenge my fitness level.
Ever since I was a kid, I had a wild sense of adventure. I would simply hike around, feeling like an explorer, discovering new places, excited to see whatever was there on the other side.
Then I joined mountaineering as a sport. My first major climb was on Aug. 26 last year in the magnificent Cuernos de Negros, or locally known as Mount Talinis. It was made more special as I was celebrating my 34th that day with such a ‘birthday climb’.
Since then on, Mt. Talinis became my official training ground for the uphells.
On June 12 this year, I joined a group climb with Team Gibang to the majestic Mt. Apo in Davao, touted as the grandfather of all mountains in the Philippines at 2,954 meters above sea level.
At that point I just knew that whenever I would have achieved something, then it was time to move on to accomplish greater things.
Each small step higher or farther was just the beginning to do something better and with more impact.
Four, I cultivate a deep love for music. Music has always been a part of my life. It’s my way of relaxation. It’s a medium of experiencing my own thoughts and reflection of myself. Through music, I’m able to understand better my emotions, giving me inner peace. Mellow music helps calm my mind, relaxes my body, and soothes my soul. It erases work-related stress, personal worries, and physical pain.
Five, I keep myself grounded on my Christ-centered purpose-driven life. I focus my thoughts and energies on what is eternal. Knowing my purpose has compelled me to set my mind right at the start of every day, at the crack of each dawn. I do not wish to wallow on setbacks as I try to do the things that God wants me to do. The thought makes me eager to do the best I can to become fit as I cannot afford to get sick.
From time to time, some toxic thoughts may pollute my mind so I just go back to God and re-strengthen my relationship with Him.
Six, I just relax and enjoy life. A life enjoyed is both a part of the process of becoming fit, as well as a product of being fit. Life is full of ups and downs but I choose to continually celebrate the blessings and successes.
