Most experienced trainers will tell you that it takes that long for a middle-aged-to-older person get into decent functional condition.
The human body is remarkably adaptable, but adaptation is not quick except at the very beginning of a 5-6 day/week program. Progress can seem fast for the first few months, assuming the starting point is poor condition, but then it gets slow.
What is poor condition? It's where I used to be. To find out, take a gym calisthenics class and see how you do, or get a trainer's assessment. He or she will discover your limits very quickly with agility tests, cardio tests, strength tests, endurance tests, and just by observing your body at rest and under effort. When I began, I was not overweight on a scale, but I was - with excess fat, and underweight in muscle. I ended up gaining 15+ lbs with little visible fat.
Why does it take that long to build a good foundation for future fitness-building and maintenance? Not for great fitness, just for passable fitness?
For one thing, it takes 1-2 years to get your nutrition and weight to the right place (either heavier or lighter) with the proper, no crash diet or no- stuffing, approach.
For another, it is best to begin a program modestly and cautiously over two or three months. If not, you might run into a problem that will interrupt your program. Then you might just give up in disgust and go back to the couch or chair.
Third, the first 4-6 months of strength-training usually result more in ramping up of neuro-muscular connections and efficiency, and growth of blood supply, than in building solid, enduring strength. Still gains are quicker at first. That is just Step 1.
Fourth, it takes a while to build the mental endurance to fight through fatigue. We've all had the experience of deciding "I'm pooped." Not true, almost never. It's a body which has not yet learned or re-learned to exert with punch and intention. Feelings aren't facts. With some encouragement, you can always push harder and accomplish more. The mental strength and growth occurs alongside the physical.
Fifth, building cardio endurance takes time and devotion. I remember when 10 minutes was all I could do on the elliptical, and 3 minutes on Stairmaster. Now I can go until I get sick of it. Not as fast as some, for sure, but I can keep on truckin'.
So, friends and readers, if you want to get into fighting shape and to build or maintain your fitness for an energetic and eventful life, to look good naked, and to have a decent sex life, we recommend 2 hours of resistance exercise (relatively heavy weights for what you can do, with advice from a pro unless you are experienced), 2 hrs of calisthenics, and 1-2 hours of cardio (endurance plus HIIT cardio). If you aprroach it seriously, in 2 years you can go from Fitness Beginner to Fitness Novice, fully-prepared to Work Hard for your vigorous future.
Waiting until Jan 1 is bullshit. By the way, we'll have a new 4-week fitness challenge next week.
Tracked: Nov 02, 13:00