In this newsletter . . .

Are your New Year's Resolutions real?

Who cares what the old bodybuilders did?

Are your New Year's Resolutions real?

As she explained the homily in more detail, I was reminded of Bill Phillips’ formula for resolve and goal setting in his best selling book, Body for Life. He advised . . .

• Setting a realistic, attainable goal.
• Writing it down.
• Setting a deadline for reaching that goal.
• Setting weekly short-term goals that incrementally get you to your long-term goal.

I have a similar formula in my beginners’ book, Gray Iron: A Fitness Guide for Senior Men and Women. Here is an excerpt from it . . .

“Goals

“Keeping a fitness notebook provides order and efficiency to your workouts and your life. A simple three-ring binder and some index tabs work fine. Keep it simple, but keep it current.

“Title for first section ‘Goals.’ On the first page, write out what you want to accomplish, and when you intend to do it. ‘I will lose 100 lbs. of fat in 90 days and win a weightlifting contest,’ is ridiculous of course (wishful thinking). But, ‘I will lose 20 lbs. over the next 90 days,’ for example, is a realistic attainable goal for a determined person. Be sure to set an exact date you intend to reach your goal. Now, you’ve really got something to work toward.

“The second step is to set short-term goals. Don’t overlook this part. You reach major objectives by incrementally reaching smaller ones. Many people set new short-term goals at the beginning of each week (‘I will lose 2 lbs. by next Sunday,’ for example). If you have trouble staying focused, setting new goals every week is a good way to stay on track. At the end of each week you can say ‘I did it!’ and feel a well-deserved sense of accomplishment.

“Some people even tape their goals list on a mirror or wall so they see them every day. If it helps, do it. Whenever you reach a short-term goal, check it off the list, and write in the actual date you reached it. Incrementally, you are closing in on your long-term goal. Once you reach a long-term goal, set a new one. Keep repeating the process. Structured goal setting is a ‘secret’ of many successful people.”

Without a plan, what many people call a resolution is nothing more than a wish. Read again the excerpt (above) from the book. That is a way to make a genuine resolution, and how to reach an actual goal.

So now it’s New Year’s Day. Do you plan on making a resolution about your fitness (or anything else)? OK, we all know that most people's New Years resolutions gradually fade away, never fulfilled. But don’t let that discourage you. You don't have to be "most people." The genuinely serious, determined ones do experience success. With a realistic goal, a plan, and resolve, amazing things can and do happen.

Apply the formula and watch it work its magic.

Happy New Year!

P.S. Discover all the workout information you’ll need to make a serious fitness resolution right here.

Who cares what the old bodybuilders did?

Oh, there have been a few valid refinements. But mostly the basics of strength and muscle building are what they’ve always been. Unfortunately, that much truth wouldn't sell muscle magazines at the newsstands.

I’ve frequently called attention to the great Steve Reeves. His page on my website is always highly popular, though he passed away 16 years ago. Along with Reeves, other old-timers such as Hilligenn and LaLanne are also admired, and questions arise about their training, too. But when it comes to perennially strong subscriber interest, I would have say that it is John Grimek who is second only to Reeves.

Why would that be?

Take a look. That is Grimek, just to your left on the page. His history is unusual in that he reached the highest level in both Olympic weightlifting and as a (reluctant) bodybuilder. I should stop here though. I don’t want to ruin a good story by giving away too much of it in the newsletter. If you'd like to know more about this true icon of weight training, discover it here at: John Grimek.

Men of that era – LaLanne, Hilligenn, Reeves, Grimek, and many others – had differing goals and approaches. Yet look at what they accomplished, drug free and using old-school basic methods. Most, too, were not merely posers on a stage. They were all-around athletic people.

Your comments and questions are always appreciated. Simply click on the "Reply" bottom.

Sincerely,

Logan Franklin
The Gray Iron Fitness Newsletter
www.senior-exercise-central.com