Please excuse the cliché, but it is important to remember that the road to better health and fitness is a Journey.  No matter where you are on the continuum, it took a certain amount of time to get there.  And it will take some more time, no matter how long or little, to further your progress.

Did you just give birth to two boys within a 16 month period of time?

Did you just have a heart attack and are now trying to get healthy?

Do you have trouble breathing because of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)?

Did you suffer an injury and are trying to get stronger?

Are you battling with the adjustment of hormones in your body as you reach menopause?

For example, if you’ve gained 15 pounds in the last year, you are not going to lose them in a month.  What’s worse, if you gained those 15 on top of the “too many” you already had, getting back to your fighting weight will indeed be a fight…maybe even for your life!  In fact, you might find yourself fighting with your spouse, parents, kids, your doctor and yes, even your trainer.  But, don’t expect some of those people – especially me – to give up on you as quickly as you may give up on yourself.Remember, there is no magic bullet.  There are no short cuts.  There is just consistent, sensible hard work, determination and patience.  So, if you’ve been exercising for a while and haven’t seen the results you’ve been desiring, reevaluate your efforts and don’t give up!  If you’ve just started a program, don’t expect a miracle to happen overnight.  Your starting point didn’t just “come upon” you at once and it won’t fall off at once either.

The Journey to Fitness requires a specific set of directions that need to be followed in order to reach the finish line.  If it is a trip you haven’t taken in a while or ever before in your life, you have to have faith, follow the steps, and know that you will achieve your goal if you believe and avoid being discouraged.

You’ve all heard Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey, a song about keeping the faith.  I know it is a corny reference, but since the producers of The Soprano’s chose it to play as their series’ last scene faded to black, it seemed to be a good “fit” here; as this series comes to its own unceremonious end.

So, it is with those words I leave you for the 200th and last time.  I know some of you will be glad not to receive “spam” like this as it sometimes holds a mirror up to you exposing your misdeeds regarding your Journey.   However, please know, if I have offended any of you in any way over these past four years, I apologize.  My intent has always been to provide you with a fun and educational environment where you can learn what I believe is the truth regarding all aspects of health, nutrition and exercise.  For that, I hope you are somewhat grateful.

Adios!

In lieu of “On This Date In History”, please allow me to pay my respects to fellow New Jersian, James Gandolfini, who died in Italy on June 19, 2013.  Just over six years to the day of The Soprano’s finale (June 10, 2007).  He was 51.

View The Last Scene