An exercise plan makes all the difference.

[Greg]

Just thought I'd share a small success of mine to hopefully inspire some of you who have been going to the gym "off and on."

I'm not really a "gym guy" although I started going a few weeks ago. I didn't really know what I was doing though I had worked out a bit in the past. Essentially, I was the guy going through all the motions but not putting in the effort. I was getting small results but nothing measurable or anything I was certain about. One day at lunchtime at work I was thinking to myself - gee... I really need a plan. I need to learn how to work out. Not 1 minute later (Intention Manifestation?) I found a book at my work's book exchange on working out (Body For Life - look it up on the web if you are interested - It's actually a pretty good book).

It seemed to be perfect timing! I opened the book frantically and skimmed through - I skipped the testimonials (didn't need to read it), skipped the part about getting motivated (was motivated) and went straight to "the plan."

It was so simple, just follow the daily workout schedule, eating schedule (because eating is more than half of working out) and watch the results.

That was 3 weeks ago and I'm totally feeling the results now. More confidence, more energy - why didn't I do this before. I'm waking up early (at 5:40am) and hitting the gym by about 6:15. I can't believe the transformation in such a small period of time!

Now today I went to the gym and I forgot my workout sheet (what I was to do that day). Although I could partly remember what I was supposed to do, I didn't work very hard at it and probably skipped some of the exercises. That's when it occurred to me that "the plan" was the structure keeping me motivated - "the plan" was what was forcing me to get up early, work hard, eat right and focus on results.

So for those of you who are going to the gym but aren't quite getting the results you want or still feel like you are "loafing" at the gym, PLEASE do yourself a favor and GET A PLAN. Once you have it on paper, it will motivate you like nothing else will. It will increase your performance by at least %100.

That's my advice - now, if you are still reading these forums and fall into the above category - do yourself a favour, sign off and write down a plan - even if it is short like "I am going to progress the most when I will find a workout plan; therefore, I must find one by xxx date" (Remember, there are many plans out there that really work, I'm not saying you have to start from scratch)

I leave you with one last though and that's this: The gym is like everything else in life, it's about PROGRESS; not PERFECTION (what I also learned from the aforementioned book). Don't try to get it right your first time round (you won't) - just try to make progress everyday and you might find yourself a few weeks later bedazzled by what you can accomplish with a plan!

[maclinda]

Good for you! Keep us appraised of your progress, OK?

[Raymond Burton]

Why should people use a plan..... Because that is the only way to get anything done. You leave the house to go to the mall and you have to make a plan how to get there. You at least make some sort of conscious effort to decide if youre going to walk, drive or bus it. Then you decide whats the best path to get you there the quickest. See it? The tools youre going to use and how youre going to arrive where you want to be.

Some people that go to the gym assume just because they step through the door that something is going to happen. Everything you do in the gym has a certain effect on your body, do you know what your doing? Do you know if all your hard work is going to have the desired effect? You could be training in the totally wrong style for your goals (providing you have one!).

Information is power. Make a plan, use the right tools and get where youre going the most efficient way possible.

"If a man knows not what harbor he seeks, any wind is the right wind." -Seneca

Short Readers Digest Version.......Plan For Success!