Earlier this year, I started back on a path to physical fitness (see personal training).  It’s been good to get back in shape and build stamina, endurance, strength, balance and more energy.  I sought out a trainer to teach me more about a system called CrossFit, which I recommend to anyone.

I was also intrigued by an article last month in the Wall Street Journal about marathoners and the impact on personal fitness.  If you have run a marathon, my congratulations to you.  If you’re a serial marathoner like the optometrist I met on the plane last month between Boise and Denver, you’ve got my respect.  For those who have run a marathon (and those who never will) and who struggle now to stay fit, read on.

How do you stay fit?  Through practice and regularity.  You continue exercising, eating healthy, and finding enjoyable and emotionally satisfying ways to keep doing both.  For one-time marathoners, they train for the event, alter their lifestyle in the short-term to run the marathon, but after the peak event, they return to their previous routine and habits.

I have found the best way for me to stay fit and keep exercising and eating healthy is to use variety and a nudge of motivation/accountability.  I track my exercise routine in a small spiral-bound memo pad.  I time my exercise and try to improve on my previous performance, even by a few seconds, or a few repetitions, or a few pounds of weight.  I practice a martial art in which I help teach others to practice techniques,  which lets me see how well I have really learned the art.   I also measure progress there as well by testing for belts/ranks.  In eating, I keep track of how much energy I have and what foods affect me in a good way or a bad way.  Of course I weigh myself and check body fat percentage.  These different actions don’t take up a lot of time nor do I center my life around them.  I simply see them as necessary for keeping my body and physical health in good condition.  I also consider physical conditioning to be a key necessity to staying mentally sharp and on top of my game.

Top talent keeps working hard and practicing while measuring progress toward a worthy goal.  If fitness is one of your personal battles, I encourage you to get yourself back on the path to improved health and well-being.