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Fitness Is Simple Not Easy
Fitness | November 10, 2014
The constant barrage of confusing and contradictory information online and elsewhere about fitness and wellbeing can make the idea of getting in shape seem next to impossible, especially for beginners. There is so much snake oil and gimmicks out there these days that one really has to sift through – even suffer through – so much nonsense. Beginners sometimes spend a lot of money and waste a lot of time lost in this maze of misinformation. Some of you may remember things like Thighmasters, Abdomenizers, Shakeweights, etc. – all useless contraptions that falsely promised to get people in shape.
Add to that confusion, an avalanche of diets and recipes and it’s more than understandable that fitness and wellbeing seem like impossibly complicated goals to achieve, especially for beginners.
Often when beginners go down a complicated and confusing path of fitness it’s because they secretly hope that it will be easier, that they won’t have to work as hard as others to achieve the same results.
Fitness isn’t all that complicated and it shouldn’t be. It’s actually quite simple, but simple does not, in anyway, mean easy. Simplicity is the honest path. It’s the more challenging path that forces us to confront who we are and what our goals are without smoke and mirrors. The following quotes are just as applicable to fitness as they are to life:
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.”
– Leonardo da Vinci
“Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated.”
– Confucius
These two great minds were obviously onto something. Their experiences allowed them to understand that complexity is often a fool’s errand. Now Confucius and da Vinci may not have been experts on working out, but their wisdom holds true for fitness and wellbeing as well.
There shouldn’t be a whole lot of mystery or head scratching when getting in shape. Instead, there should be a lot of sweat and a fair amount of discipline in the kitchen and elsewhere. Those of you who have been working out with me long enough know this to be true.
“It is clear that we must trust what is difficult.”
– Rainer Maria Rilke
There are no magic potions, contraptions or secret techniques to getting in shape and staying in shape. There is only consistent effort and work. Sure, some workouts are more beneficial than others, some diets are better suited for some than others, but shortcuts don’t really exist.
This information shouldn’t be distressing or worrisome, it should be empowering!
If you’re just starting out with me, know that you have the strength and willpower within you to transform yourself inside and out with simplicity and consistency. It’s there, I promise!
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Private Member |
This is really meaningful and great researched 🙂 thanx x
Private Member |
viña del mar, chile
Totally agree Zu…I think that people have to challenge themselves, then they must know that it’s a long way to do, and it´s not easy…they must have consistency and discipline in workouts and in eat the correct food to achieve changes , It will not be fast of course, but in a right way, not long, but safely of that´s the recipe to get in the shape they want and also in good health…I know for myself..Thanks for sharing a great truth !
Private Member |
Yap, the difficult part is consistency…to do things even when you feel discourage…to rust the process and be patience. As you say the formula itsel is simple: move challengely (is that a word?) and eat well 🙂
Private Member |
I totally agree with you that fitness is much simpler than most people think! good article, good quotes!
But Zuzka honestly!!, how many 15 min workouts do you do yourself per day?
Is it even possible to look as ripped as you do by doing only 15 min workouts daily? 🙂
Anyway thank you so much for all your hard work!
Private Member |
caseyville, illinois
I hope she answers you as I would like to know also. I come from the Tracy Anderson Method who says you have to do 1 hour cardio and 1 hour muscular structure (2 hours plus) of exercise every day to see results. I did this 3 years and was not happy. It is just hard not to feel guilty doing Zuzka’s amount of time. I always think, should I do more?
thanks everyone!
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
Tracy Anderson method is an aerobic exercise. If you prefer to workout at a low intensity, then you really need to put a lot more time into it in order to see any results. From my own and other trainer’s experience, aerobic exercise is not enough to get your body into fat burning mode that would last hours after the workout it self. My workouts do, and they also bring huge results in terms of strength and endurance, so you’re getting overall more athletic.
Private Member |
caseyville, illinois
I am completely hooked on your workouts Zuzka and thought of going back to Tracy Anderson makes me sick to my stomach. I am not downing her method, it just did not work for me and actually made me depressed, very soft looking with a lot of sagging skin. I was just responding to the question above, if 15 min plus stretching, such as Essentrics, etc. is enough and is all you do in a day. Or should we be aiming for more in a day? Besides that question, my body is responding very very well to this type of exercise, my mood also! I hope you did not read my remark in the wrong way. It is so difficult to read expression in type.
Thank you for responding.
Private Member |
Well said!
This is not easy, but it does not mean that it cannot be fun or satisfactory.
I feel very sad when I see girls commenting on fitness blogs things like: how can I lose weight without sweat? How can I get muscle without getting bulky? Will this tea slim me down without dieting?
Private Member |
Very inspiring and well expressed.
Zuzka, would you maybe make a coffee talk about consistency?
I’d appreciate it so much.
Private Member |
So true and even really good written!
Private Member |
Thanks Zuzka, you are great! My question is what kind (brand) of protein do you currently use? I want buy some good quality protein. Thank you for all your hard work!
Private Member |
lake tahoe, nv, usa
I always choose a high quality whey protein that is sweetened by stevia and doesn’t contain any artificial sweeteners.
Private Member |
Your inspiration is the reason I am no longer chubby, sick and tired. I am in the best shape of my life because of your workouts and motivational wisdom. You are my hero Zuzka!
Private Member |
I have been telling people this to this day! People ask me why I am so skinny, which is really not what I aim for; or they ask me how I stay in shape, and for so long I have said I just exercise and work out. Then they would tell me I don’t need to work out, ” I am sooo skinny!” I would always say well I wouldn’t be this way if I didn’t do sit ups, or pilates, or just go run. Well a lot has changed, but now I am a warrior in the zgym, and my diet has changed a lot too. So now I tell people there are no tricks, and you don’t need to be starving yourself, all you have to do is stay active, exercise, and eat your veggies and fruit! I tell them more advice too, but I mainly try to simplify it for people so that it doesn’t seem so hard to do what they really want to do! thank you Zuzka for this post, it helped me realize I am helping people. =)
Private Member |
Haha, story of my life! “You don’t need to work out, you’re so slim!”
Private Member |
czech republic
Nice Casey 🙂