What Do You Like?

Keeping fit shouldn't be unpleasant, it shouldn't be a chore. Yes, there are days when you just won't feel like getting up early or getting off the couch in the evening. When it's cold and rainy it's just so much easier to go straight home after work, than stopping at the gym first.

I think the secret is finding something you enjoy doing. Whether it's walking along the beach or going for an easy cycle. Every little thing counts. When I was most overweight, I bought myself a bike. I had always enjoyed "riding bikes" as a child, so it seemed more like fun than exercise. I didn't spend much money on the first bike I bought. When I was cycling more regularly, I decided it would be worth it to invest in a better bike. I traded the first bike in (yes, you can trade them in like cars) and got a better one, which gave a better riding experience and meant that going for a cycle was even more of a pleasure. Still, I didn't spend more than R2500 on the bike (mountain bike) and that is sufficient for the kind of riding that I do. You don't have to spend a fortune on equipment unless you want to do the sport professionally. If you're a novice, all the equipment in the world will not make you look like a pro, it will just make you look silly.

So keep it simple:
1) Find out what you like, so that going out and doing it is not tedious. It could be swimming, cycling or even playing soccer.
2) When you're starting out, don't spend a fortune on equipment that will collect dust in your cupboard in 2 months time and just remind you what a loser you are everytime you look at it.
3) Come to terms with the fact that you're going to be the newbie for a little while, everyone was new at some point.
4) Don't be disheartened if you don't look like the Adidas model on the front cover of Runner's World. I assure you that you look better today than you will in a year's time, if you continue being a couch potato!

It may seem implausible now, but I promise you that in no time at all, you'll look forward to your exercise. If you just find out what you like!

In an attempt to build the follower base:

I'd like to start off by saying big up to our follower base, we love you, we would be nothing without you!!!

While Delon is away on a business trip in north west Africa, I'm going to hope he's distracted and I'll be able to get away with doing my own thing here! He doesn't believe readers want to know about us personally, they want facts and tips that lead to six packs and tight butts. Ok, readers do want six packs and tight butts, but I believe that a bit of a personal touch leads to a connection, which leads to loyal followers. So on that note, let me tell you a bit about us and why following us will be beneficial to you.

The most important thing is that we are very different and have very different styles of staying fit.

Delon, as mentioned previously, has always been skinny and has never had any kind of intimate relationship with food. I, on the other hand was the fat kid who ate a lot.

Delon lives in a big city and works for a big company, he drives a brightly coloured sports car and he has a hectic social life. He sometimes finishes work around 7pm and then still goes out for drinks and has to fit a workout in somewhere in between all of this. He also does a significant amount of business traveling, both national and international. So sticking to a fitness routine is challenging for him.
I live in a little town on the South Coast of KZN, I don't travel much except on holiday. Although I do work long hours, I usually have a pretty routine work week. I can plan ahead and decide when to fit in my workouts for the week. I usually don't drink during the week and I'm also studying at the moment, so planning how I spend my time is of the utmost importance.

Delon is into gadgets, he keeps up with the latest trends, he reads the latest magazines, he subscribes to Men's Health and he doesn't mind spending money on a gym membership so that if he has time to go for a run only at 21h00, he can do so.
I am technologically challenged, I usually don't understand why my computer won't just do what I say when I say, the only way I know about the latest trends is if Delon tells me, I don't believe I should have to spend money to keep fit. I believe in working with what I have, I don't belong to a gym.

It's difficult to get a word out of Delon before 7am on most mornings.
I like exercising in the morning, I don't mind waking up early. I'm a morning person.

All of this translates into 2 very different approaches to staying in shape.
So, what kind of lifestyle do you have? What are the challenges that you face in your path to fitness?
Find out what works for you, and develop your own approach.