Conquer Your Mountain

“We are either moving forward or sliding back - there is no standing still.”

This quote really sums up fitness for me. When it comes to fitness goals, you can never just stay still. You must either move forward with a new goal, or you are slowly sliding back. There is no staying right where you are. Really, who would really want to do that anyway? Conquering goals is  just like climbing a mountain. There are places that are easy, usually at the beginning of the climb when our drive to master it is strong. Then, as our legs begin to feel the work the incline increases. This is the same sort of situation we find ourselves in when the newness wears off. In the beginning we are excited to workout and do what needs to be done. Yet as time wears on, our determination starts to fade.

As we continue to climb, there are various points where it may become easier again, or extremely challenging. This is where many begin to lose their focus. Their body may become sore or they simply grow tired of it all. Some determine that this particular mountain is too much for them. There is too much work, they just aren’t cut out, and so on. They see a different mountain and think it’s more suited to what they want. They give up and go back.

When you get much closer to obtaining your goal, you are almost to the summit of your mountain things will begin to get even more difficult. Quite often this seems to be when others are telling you that you should quit. Take it easy or just have an off day. You would love nothing more, but you know you can’t. Your goal is so close and one misstep at this point could be disastrous. You know, because you have been there before. You have seen it happen to family and friends. It’s not the time to stop. So you keep going. You reach and climb even when your mind is starting to agree with everyone else. You keep putting one foot in front of the other. Finally you reach the summit and victory is yours!

You could look at the mountain as a round of any extreme fitness program. The battle to do each daily workout, to just press play. I have been asked by people, “Why would you ever do a program more than once?” My answer is fairly simple. I love taking on that mountain. Each time I discover new things about myself. The journey is one of self-discovery. One that shows me who I am and helps me strengthen my faith. God has given me a capable vessel, and I intend to take care of it. I want to honor His gift to me by cherishing it and keeping it in excellent shape.

Life is a sometimes trying but always wonderful thing. I feel even more alive and vibrant during my workouts, when my blood is pumping and sweat is streaming down. Those challenges are what keep us moving forward. What keeps us from sliding back down the mountain. Today, make your workout count!