Alright, you have sat down and decided to make a change in your life.  You need to get in shape.

Fantastic!  You have decided between the ears you are going to make a change.  What next?

You have bought the running shoes, gym membership, and packed your Iphone with lots of workout jams.  You recognized that you get bored on a elliptical but rocking out to your favorite tunes and watching T.V. make it easier.

Nice!  You have made a commitment to orient your life to exercise and have already recognized an obstacle and have addressed it.  Got any goals!

You have read up on how it has to be more about weight loss and looking good, so you have stated you want to have more energy, sleep better, and be in good enough shape to run a marathon one day.

I am liking this!  You have established a variety of goals and even a loose long term goal of a marathon.  Completing this would have a major boost to the overall self esteem and general well being.  So, what are you going to do about it?

You have never consistently worked out your entire life and you plan to go the gym 4 days a week to work out, run 30 miles a week, and join a cycling club.   That way you can lose a lot of weight, feel good, and look good as fast as possible while planning for that full marathon in a few months. 

ARE YOU CRAZY?!?!?

I jest about this idea but this happens every day when people try to make a big change.  Everyone wants results right now.  Newsflash……if you have never worked out regularly for your entire life, how do you think your body is going to react to that first 5 mile run?  When you wake up the next day and cannot move have you developed enough motivation and commitment to continue to push through?  When stresses of jobs, kids, family, social engagements, etc come into play have you established a pattern of maintaining regular activity through the busy times?  The answer to all of these is the following:  YOU HAVE NO CLUE…..YOU HAVE NOT DONE THEM YET!

If you are looking to get back on a path of healthier living, great, I am 100% supportive but please be reasonable.  Start small, like get to the gym 2x a week and run 5 total miles.  If you push too hard initially the pain and frustration might stop you in your tracks, never allowing you to get to the next step.  Pace yourself and you will be at the starting line for the marathon before you know it.