Introduction
The quest to 'get fit fast' is a common goal for many. Often there will be advertisements that promise things like “30-Day Body Transformation” and “Lose 10 Pounds Fast.” But how long does it take to get into shape? What does it truly take to achieve fitness swiftly, and is it sustainable? Let’s explore the realities of rapid fitness transformations and how Functional Patterns (FP) approach the concept of getting in shape efficiently and sustainably.
Understanding Rapid Fitness Gains
- The Allure of Speed: The idea of getting fit quickly, especially through programs like '30 day body transformation,' is attractive but often misleading. True fitness is a journey, not a sprint.
- Reality Check: Actors and performers may get in shape fast for roles, but they do so with intensive support and resources that aren't practical for the average person. Many actors have even admitted to cycling to get in shape for certain roles.
- Defining 'Fit': Before we ask how to 'get fit fast,' it's crucial to define what 'fit' means within FP. It's not just about aesthetics but functional strength, mobility, and holistic health.
Can You Get Fit in 30 Days?
While some changes such as weight loss and diet changes can be achieved in 30 days, FP emphasizes that fitness should be viewed as a lifelong commitment, not a quick fix to get fit fast. Although weight loss may be part of the equation, through the lens of FP this is often a by-product of gaining strength, muscle mass, lifestyle, and dietary changes which all provide a secure foundation to build on. Once the foundation is set the real work can be done. The key to getting in good shape is consistent, functional exercises that align with human biomechanics and contribute to overall health and well-being. These long-term changes will require resilience and patience. Most humans like having a deadline or a finish line, a prize if you will. The stress of a timeline can cause desperation to get results and push harder if you feel as though you are not achieving results quickly enough. Pushing one’s self can cause injury, especially if you’re unfamiliar with biology and improper mechanical movement. But with the patience, dedication, and understanding of the movements you are performing will be worth the results FP can achieve and go far beyond a 30-day benefit.
For example, when clients come to an FP practitioner they are shown each phase of movements from the ground up. Moreover, the phase of a client's fitness is based on longevity and not rushing the process. Take Jennifer here for example, she was with us at Functional Patterns for over a year to correct her scoliosis. The goal is not to rush, but to correct patterns that have been plaguing Jennifer her whole life. With a systems approach and not a symptoms approach, FP is capable of resolving issues and sustaining that solution long-term.
(Jennifer’s Before and After Results)
FP's Approach to Fast Fitness
FP focuses on efficiency and effectiveness over speed. It teaches exercises that build a strong foundation, promote good posture, and improve movement patterns factors that contribute to long-term fitness rather than temporary results. While the FP approach is a long-term solution, there are short-term gains that take place in Functional Patterns. This is done by the same SAID principles that are in the fitness industry, however, FP does not use an isolated approach. What is done is a systems-style approach as explained in this article addressing a systems approach and not a symptom approach. The question of “How to get Fit?” through an FP perspective requires much more action regarding behavioral and lifestyle changes. These behavioral and cellular changes are a constant in FP’s approach to true fitness. Traditional explosive and extensive repetitive movements may yield temporary results to ‘get fit fast’ but can lead to fatigue and injury that complement other dysfunctions long term. Functional Patterns aims to eliminate injury and dysfunction while getting in shape for lifelong health and fitness.
Body Transformation: A Realistic Timeline
Transforming one's body in a month might be possible on the surface, but for deep, lasting changes, FP advocates for a more measured approach. It's about integrating fitness into your lifestyle and progressively improving your biomechanics and functional capacity. There is no magic number or timeline when it comes to our health and determining “how long does it take to get in shape?” We are continually evolving and adapting. The gimmicks and photos circulating may advertise otherwise, but at what cost? Are these ‘get fit fast’ fads healthy? Are they safe? Are they sustainable? Functional Patterns are not a fad, it is a lifelong practice to optimize health.
Conclusion
The concept of 'how to get fit fast' can be appealing yet misleading especially when we are comparing our results to public figures or influencers. These '30-day body transformation’ results are not often realistic for most or without extreme measures. FP encourages a more holistic and sustainable approach to fitness. It's not about overnight transformations or necessarily about how long it takes to get in shape, but about building a body that functions optimally in the long term while mitigating the risks of injury and dysfunction. Getting ‘fit fast’ can lead down dangerous paths and compromise long-term health. To learn more about how FP can help you achieve true fitness and be in good shape without the dangers of short-term gains, consider visiting the FP website, listening to the Functional Podcast, or taking part in the 10-week course.
