What Is Fitness, Really?
Start With What You Want Your Body to Do
When people talk about fitness, the conversation often drifts toward workouts, programs, or appearance.
But a better starting point is simpler:
What do you want your body to be able to do?
Play a sport
Enjoy a hobby
Look a certain way
Feel less stiff or achy
Keep up with your kids
Play with your grandkids
Age well and stay independent
Travel comfortably
Something else that matters to you
Your fitness routine should move you closer to those abilities.
Not just exhaust you.
Visualize Your “Point B”
Take a moment.
Imagine yourself six months to a year from now.
What do you want your body to be able to do?
What movements are involved?
What kind of strength or endurance would it require?
How would it feel to move through your day with that ability?
That picture is your Point B.
Now let’s talk about how to get there.
Build Fitness Through Practice (Not Punishment)
Progress doesn’t come from random intensity.
It comes from repeated, recoverable practice.
Your body adapts to the stress you give it.
But only if it can recover.
Recovery is often more important than we give it credit for.
If you:
Jump too far beyond your current ability
Stay constantly sore
Postpone sessions because you overdid it
Your consistency won’t compound.
A little soreness is normal, especially when you change routines.
But constant soreness is a sign that the stress exceeds your current recovery ability.
Ideally, your training should:
Challenge you at your current level
Allow adequate recovery
Be repeatable
That’s how strength, mobility, and conditioning actually build.
Consistency is the secret sauce.
A Practical Example: Travel Fitness
Let’s make this concrete.
Imagine you’re planning a trip next year.
Can you:
Lift your carry-on into the overhead bin?
Carry your luggage up stairs if the escalator is broken?
Hustle to a gate if it changes?
Walk for blocks or miles exploring?
Carry groceries, backpacks, or gear without being wiped out?
Functional fitness means your body supports your life.
Not the other way around.
Identify the Gap: Point A to Point B
Now look honestly at where you are today.
This is Point A.
What are the gaps between where you are and where you’d like to be?
Ask yourself:
Does my current routine move me toward my goals?
What strength do I need to build?
What mobility needs attention?
What conditioning would make daily life easier?
You don’t need a perfect program.
You need consistent practice.
Practice Is Your North Star
Life gets busy.
When that happens, ask:
What is the most important thing to practice today?
If I only had 5–10 minutes, what would I do?
When I have more time, what can I add?
Simple strength training.
Walking.
Mobility work.
Low-friction routines that are easy to repeat.
Keep a basic log.
Check in periodically.
Adjust your course like you would on a road trip.
If the road is closed, you don’t quit the trip.
You find a detour.
Fitness works the same way.
Fitness Goals Change — And That’s Normal
Your goals may evolve with seasons of life.
Mine have changed significantly over the decades.
That’s part of the process.
The goal isn’t perfection.
The goal is building a body that supports your life, long term.
Need Help With Your Plan?
If you’d like guidance creating a practical fitness plan:
I work with clients in person in Dallas, Texas
And I coach people online as well
Either way, the focus stays the same:
simple, consistent, practical strength that fits your life.
Enjoy your journey,
Rob
