Image by pierodemarchis This is the second installment of the “Shah Training is Not Bodybuilding” series. Yesterday, I talked about how one should use a long-term approach to fitness. When designing a fitness program, one should always start from the “end” first. The end is simply your final goal. Make sure that this goal is absolutely satisfying and something that will motivate you to follow your program on a daily basis.

Finding this goal is the difficult part. Unfortunately, for most of use simply putting on 3 inches on our arms and getting a six-pack is not very satisfying. I found this out the hard way.

What’s My End Goal?

If you were to ask me what my ultimate goal was in terms of fitness, I would tell you, “Oh I want to get a six pack.” Ask me why? And I’d say the following: “Oh, I just want to see how it feels like to have one. It’s like winning a trophy.” But in reality, this is what I was thinking: “I need to get ripped so that I can launch my online personal training services. I need to show people that I’m an expert. ”

Now that is an example of setting a goal because of other people. I am trying to impress my audience, not myself. What impresses me? Here’s a short list:

• Being able to complete my workouts faster then before
• Being able to push myself to the limit
• Training on a consistent, daily basis
• Staying away from all junk food
• Sticking to a clean diet at least five of seven days out of the week
• Beating my training partners in a particular workout
• Learning a new exercise

These are the things that excite, motivate, and keep me going. Not getting a six pack.

What Excites You?

So, the second thing that really differentiates Shah Training from Bodybuilding is that we do not find satisfaction from aesthetic goals alone. There is more to fitness than getting ripped.

Forget about how you look just for one second. What are some things that really excite you about your fitness program?