Once these holidays are over, many people will make that usual New Year’s resolution to lose weight or get in shape.

This year will be quite different due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in that this resolution will result in fewer gym memberships than usual.

Instead, the focus will likely be on purchasing some home fitness equipment, online workout subscriptions, or some sort of personal training service.

Unfortunately, most people will ultimately fail to achieve their goals.  Why?

Because the purpose is too general and broad.  I know this because I’ve been through it for years.

Recently, however, I changed things up a bit.  I re-defined my purpose.

The primary reason I want to get more fit is to improve my ability to kick someone’s ass if I need to.

In other words, my greater purpose for training is self protection for me, my family, and anyone with me if we are targeted for assault.

Years ago, in my mid-30s to early 40s, I had a greater purpose.  My goal to be fit was to make my kung fu training a bit easier.

Some days, when my sifu was feeling a bit frisky, our classes could be exhausting.  Our promotion tests were always VERY exhausting.

Therefore, I lifted to make the pushups and stance work a bit easier, and I jogged to improve my conditioning for when we were throwing hundreds of kicks and punches, or working on ground fighting.

Combatting Covid-19

This year, EVERYONE has a greater purpose to getting more fit… Covid-19.

It’s no secret now that Covid-19 has been more deadly among people with existing conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

Many of these issues result from obesity.  And, unfortunately, the U.S. is the fattest country in the world.

I recently read that for the first time ever, over 40% of Americans meet the medical definition of obesity.

We ALL know what we are supposed to do, yet with each passing year, we are getting bigger and bigger.

Dealing with this requires a LIFESTYLE change, not just a goal.  It’s boring as hell to just go to the gym to work out if your only goal is to get in shape.

Therefore, make a lifestyle change.  Get more fit so that you can do something better.

One other reason I have for getting more fit is to play better golf.

Over time, I’ve lost a good bit of my flexibility and mobility.  However, after just a few weeks of training with greater purpose, I can already feel some of this coming back.

Crime

The other risk that has also increased in the last year is the risk of criminal assault.

Many of our local governments have made it clear in the last year that they will not do what is necessary to protect its citizens.

Criminals have been emboldened, because many of them were simply let go after injuring people and damaging property.

In order to deal with this new threat, you may need to do a bit more than just learn some basic self defense.  You’ll need to get in better shape so that you can execute when needed.

Final Thoughts

There are a bazillion ways to get in better shape, especially with all the technology available now.  I’ve put together a list of resources here to help you get started.

The rest is up to you.  Figure out what greater purpose you have for getting more fit, and keep that purpose in mind any time you want to slack off, or quit halfway through a workout.

Now get to work!