While exercise and eating guidelines are based on good scientific principles, they do not necessarily agree with human nature or common sense. Recent history tells us that we are better off encouraging the mediocre people who are willing to include exercise in their daily lives, rather than cramming guidelines down the majority of those who want to fight the inevitable. In the end, keeping things simple and in a supportive situation will keep everyone happy.

With all the fitness and diet programs out there, you would think people in our country would be getting in better shape. We're not. Why? All of us are confused, frustrated and burdened down at the contradictory of medicine and fitness for one reason, and the other reasons involve issues we have already discussed.

The key in motivating yourself to exercise is to keep your eye on the big picture. If you don't, the details will become a quicksand pit. The big picture is: JUST MOVE IT!

So much money and time is spent on gimmicks and diet fads that only get used for a short time, with little or no results.

The big picture is about being realistic, not to have high expectations, but to focus on internal health issues, such as blood pressure, body fat, cholesterol levels, and a quiet mind. The challenge is that you have grown accustomed to being motivated by instant gratification. It is more of a priority to look good rather than to have lower stress levels.

You get frustrated because you are trying to fight a battle you can't win with something fast and easy. It's called aging. You blame aging on other things in hopes there is something out there that you can do or take that will get you the results you want in the shortest amount of time. The truth is while good looks are a good measurement; they are only perks in the big picture.

THERE ARE NO MAGIC FORMULAS

The "Wellness Industry" is the fastest growing industry today. Why? Because millions of people are searching for some hidden treasure box with a magic formula. The truth of the matter is you will never replace HARD WORK! There are parts to any exercise program that work. Yet, anything promising fast results is usually too good to be true and will set you up for disappointment.

MORE IS NOT BETTER

Logic will say if I walk for twenty minutes, I will burn this amount of calories. If I walk forty minutes, I will burn twice as many calories and be in better shape. Not so!

When it comes to exercise, the term "Over Training" is used when muscles have reached their limits, run out of nutrients and need replenishing, but do not get it. Sometimes you will see this in poor sleeping patterns, added soreness, plateaus and boredom in workouts that make us aware of needing rest. For the athlete, one of the hardest things, yet best things for us to do, is consciously listen to our bodies. Sometimes the body's requirements go against logic. There may be situations where your body needs more rest time to rebuild itself. Sooner or later you will hit a wall and then what are you going to do?

EXERCISE SMARTER, NOT HARDER

When it comes to maintaining an exercise program let's face it, it is hard work. It can be hard at times and it never seems to get any easier. Harder exercise is not the answer to better results, but doing it effectively and efficiently is. No matter how old you or what your goals are it's important to incorporate all areas of fitness into a program:

" Joints- through flexibility exercises

" Heart-through cardiovascular workout,

" Skeletal muscle -with strength training.

" Balanced eating habits

When all areas are implemented in a regular routine, they build on each other. Something is better than nothing, but if your program is lopsided, meaning lacking in one area or another, your results will be affected.

Twenty years of dedicated exercise has taught me three principles that have kept me motivated over the years.