Do you believe that everyone can get fit?

Crankstr

YES

jackedphilosopher

No, some people simply don't have the motivation or mindset to get fit. We live in a time of instant gratification and the journey to getting fit has absolutely no room for this. It takes a certain individual to maintain the discipline and hard work needed to get and stay fit.

7opoundsin16weeks

no. only the badass ones can do it

diodelcibo

Everybody has the potential to get to a decent level but some will get there quicker and easier.

Mainebikerchick

Yes, anyone can do it.

Focus on a moderate amount of cardio and a reasonable strength training program. I started out doing some very serious cardio (100km hikes and what not). That did very little other than cause injuries. Focus instead on a proper diet with a reasonable calorie deficit with some flexibility for cheats so you stay on track and sane!

Good luck and keep going!

^^THIS!!!

Aparz1

Yes, never used to think so when I was 240lbs. and didn't eat a lot.... just thought that was going to be the way my life was but to my own surpise I was able to change the direction of my life. I think if you really want it bad enough and are willing to put the work in, everyone is capable.

m_shuman

I believe you can do whatever you put your mind to! If you want to be fit you can do it you just have to push yourself. Mind over body!

MeanSophieCat

Absolutely. We're all going to have strengths and weaknesses. I have a harder time building cardio endurance than most people but I'm a natural weight lifter. I very quickly increase the amount of weight I can lift. I've really worked on my endurance lately though and I've made big improvements for me. Will I ever run a marathon? Probably not but I can now run a decent 5K.

BiggJim38

I believe everyone can lift. The key is to find a weight that works for them.

Athena53

Fitter? Yes. But if I ever tried that pose in victoria2448's avatar on Page 1 of this discussion they'd have to call 911 to untangle me!

I agree that some of the ability to get fitter is based on the body you've got, chronic conditions, bad genes and all, but there's nearly always room for improvement and some chronic conditions will improve with exercise and activity. (This is not medical advice. I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.)

I was a gym class loser. I hated Phys. Ed in HS- it was mostly team sports and I lack the co-ordination to play team sports. No one wanted me on their team. I envied a friend of mine who had a tumor removed from her leg and got to sit out all the softball games for a whole season and just keep score. I was thin and active- mostly bicycling and swimming- but that didn't do me much good in Phys. Ed.

Fast forward. I'm 60. Thanks to on-premises gyms at my previous and current employer, exercise classes at my last employer and a wellness porgram at my new job (which motivated me to get a heart rate monitor), I'm in better shape than I've ever been. Ten years ago I got drafted into a local corporate athletic competition and my teammates were ecstatic to find a 50-year old willing to run the mile race (walking not allowed), the half-mile, the 5K, do a 200-meter swim and (with some persuasion) do the sprint triathlon, which is now my favorite event. There's very little competition in these endurance events in my age group so I rack up mucho points for the team just by finishing. My current employer, also a participant in the event, was jokingly accused of poaching me for their team when I changed jobs last year. I'm looking forward to competing with a new T-shirt!

While I'm blessed with good genes and no chronic health problems, I can tell you that age and lack of co-ordination are no excuse for being out of shape.

kuntry_navy

no, some people wont on purpose

lockmand

Yes, 80% good nutrition program (what you put into your body) and 20% good exercise program (what you put out with your body).

harleenarang

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=356052101171129

Watch this video and your question would be answered.

ZekeK

I believe everyone can be fit, but what that looks like for everyone is different. Our bodies have natural "resting points", when we hit a weight or state of living and become comfortable and acclimate to such a size, weight, muscle mass, fitness, etc. and it takes real time to change this because we're basically walking biomes -- you don't grow a garden over night, especially if what change you're trying to bring to the region is new and foreign.

Interestingly enough, blue zones (regions in the world that have populations living 100+ year lives) don't exercise solely to be healthy. Health and fitness relies much on the environment and intake of food, and much of their exercise comes from doing things they love or are a routine -- house work, gardening, and more. It is an interesting thing to look at and supplement your workouts with things that have outside rewards (like a garden, clean house, or rearranging furnature, etc).

Avandel

I'm a 65 year old grandmother and I am making myself fitter than I ever was before. I'll never be an athlete but I am making a difference!!

Here, here! Barb, you took the words right out of my mouth, except I'm 62! :bigsmile:

Boogage

Everyone can improve their fitness if they really want to. I have lots of health problems and my flexibility is poor. I couldn't bend over and touch my toes 4 months ago but now I can. 3 months ago I couldn't hold a plank pose but now I can. I plan to continue finding challenging exercises that I know I could be capable of and practicing them until I can do them successfully.

The more you do something that you find challenging, the easier it will become.

scottb81

But while I feel I made progress the first couple of months I can't see any improvements over the last year even though I am pushing hard. If I push too much I just end up getting sick - tonsillitis and the likes.

If you are getting sick then you are pushing too hard. If you saw improvements early and then they stopped then you have overwhelmed your body's ability to adapt to the training because you are pushing too hard.

Yes anyone can get fit with proper training. From your description, you are not doing proper training. If you are doing a trainer's program then you might either need to get a new trainer or get some books on proper training.

llkilgore

Btw, when I talked about progress I referred to progress in my exercise performance. I lost a fair amount of weight by eating healthier.

It is pretty difficult to make physical gains if you have been eating at a deficit.

This. I saw large improvements in cardiovascular fitness during the 9 months or so it took me to lose the weight, but I felt like I was just treading water on general muscle strength. Then for more than a year after reaching my maintenance weight I slacked off on strength training as I ramped up the cardio. I love running, and if running a half marathon at age 59 and actually finishing is considered fit, then yeah, I was fit. But I wasn't strong. For the last couple of months I've eaten at a small surplus, cut back on my running, and rededicated myself to some serious strength training. I'm making progress this time.

lessjl

i agree w/all who say you can! also, i agree it's gotta be the diet. i am in the same boat. i work out 4-5 hours/week and burn 2500-3k cals. but i hadn't lost weight in several years until i started tracking what i eat here at this site. there's a sign at my gym that says "you get fit at the gym, but you lose weight in the kitchen." i've found that to be true!

best of luck!

jeri lynn

lithezebra

Yes, everyone can get fit. There is no single standard for what that means. You don't have to be an athlete, or get thin, or look like a model. You're only excused if you have Lou Gehrig's disease or something like that.

QuHeCTiC24

Only a sith deals in absolutes

Possibly the greatest advice/forum post in the history of the interwebs.

LaMujerMasBonitaDelMundo

There is no such a thing as a body not meant to be "sporty". If you're talking about being physically active, your assumption is completely false coz as a matter of fact, our bodies are designed to sweat, puff and move more. Of course not everyone is meant to be an athlete but certainly everyone can get fit.

Note that being fit =/= thin. There is a HUGE difference between the two.

holothuroidea

Everyone has a natural tendency to be better at somethings than others, but we all have basically the same potential for everything. So if you don't have a natural tendency for it you will have to work harder, you will have more mental roadblocks, and you'll have to push yourself more than anyone who's naturally athletic. But you can do it. Just like people who aren't naturally "book smart" can still learn chemistry if they put in the work. They might not win the nobel prize, but they'll be competent.

You might not win the Boston marathon, but you can still develop athletic competence and if you train hard enough you'd be able to run a marathon some day.

I've learned that athleticism is less about what you can do, and more about how hard you can work.

JJordon

our bodies aren't made to sit around all day. our bodies are made to be up and moving. yes everyone can get fit if they push hard enough.

'

Just because civilization and society has fooled you into thinking that it's okay to sit around and watch cartoons all day, doesn't mean they are right. Were meant to be powerful creatures, we are the apex predator on this world, and the women are just damn gorgeous when they make it happen. Silly reasons? Maybe, but they're mine!

SPNLuver83

YES! EVERYONE, and I mean EVERYONE, can get fit. Do you have to get ripped and have all super low bodyfat to be fit? Hell no. Being fit is being healthy and our bodies WANT that more than anything.

If you get sick from training you are either pushing yourself too hard for your level, not eating the right foods (hence not getting the proper nutrition, not enough food) or a combo of both.

kelsully

I was a couch potato all my life. Even as a kid I rather hid in the corner reading a book than doing exercise.

For two years now I am trying to get fitter. Started running, going to the gym regularly and hired a personal trainer. But while I feel I made progress the first couple of months I can't see any improvements over the last year even though I am pushing hard. If I push too much I just end up getting sick - tonsillitis and the likes.

Do you believe everyone can get really fit with the proper training? Or are some bodies are just not made for being sporty?

What are you looking for fitness wise? If you call fitness being able to go to the zoo with the kids without getting tired then I bet you are fit. If you are looking to run a marathon, then you have to train specifically to run a marathon but you could do it. If you are looking to compete in a fitness competition then you train specifically for that...diet and exercise wise.

will you ever be sporty like an olympian? Nope, likely not.
Will you be able to enjoy an active lifestyle with hiking, walking, biking, helping neighbors move without getting sore....sure thing.

NRSPAM

You can do whatever you put your mind to!!! I've been big since I was a little kid too, n now I'm the thinnest I've ever been! You just have to find what it is that works for you! Remember, muscle burns cal's n increases metabolism!!! For me, it was zumba, lifting, and learning about healthy eating. I literally had no clue when I started! Good luck OP! Add me if you like.

LoonyLovegood8

Yep! If you want it bad enough and you're willing to work your butt off for it.

PaleoChocolateBear

Anyone can get fit, only one person is stopping someone from getting fit and that is the person

scottb81

However still dreaming about doing a half marathon one day... (the longest I could run so far was 12 km )

There are two primary causes for someone not continually improving in their running ability.

Its either:
1. Running too fast all the time
or
2. Not enough miles
or
3. Both