Your Fitness Future: 20 Predictions for 2008

Tom Venuto
Burn the Fat

I'm going to predict your future and forecast exactly what kind of results you're going to get in 2008.

Sylvia Browne step aside... I'm pretty good at this.

Several years ago, a public relations firm in New York City asked me to write an article
for one of their publications about fitness trends and predictions for the coming year.
It turned out that my "crystal ball" was pretty darn accurate.
I nailed most of the predictions I made about aerobics classes,
yoga, core training, "holistic" approaches, online personal
training technology, the baby boomer market, increasing obesity
and many other subjects.

I do confess though, it wasn't that difficult, because instead of just guessing, I
actually did some research on industry statistics. I also had some "inside insights"
because I'd been a health club manager for so many years and was privy to fitness
business trends.

This year, instead of making predictions for the whole fitness industry, what if I could
take out my crystal ball again and
predict with with 99% precision exactly what kind of results you will achieve with your
body by the end of 2008?

Well, I can do that too! I would claim that I have some kind of "gift" for this, but to
be honest, you and I don't need to be psychic to make predictions
like these. There are two things you can always count on: (1)Nature's laws of cause and
effect and (2) human nature. On that basis, here are my 20 fitness predictions for 2008:

I PREDICT that if you can reach into your pocket and pull out a card or piece of paper
with all your 2008 body and fitness goals written on it in vivid detail, the odds are 95
to 1 in favor of you achieving every one of those goals before the end of the year.

I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on your goals and how you are going to achieve
them, all day long, you
will reach your goals so fast in 2008, it will make your head spin.

I PREDICT that if you focus your thoughts on your health
and body fat problems and if you think about what you don't want, all day long, your
problems will get worse than
ever this year.

I PREDICT that if you made a new year's resolution, but you didn't turn it into a
specific, written goal with a deadline
and a strong reason why you must achieve it, you will freely abandon it the moment the
going gets tough.

I PREDICT that if you can tell me all the reasons why achieving
your health and fitness goals are important to you, you will be
motivated from within to stick to it even more when the going gets tough

I PREDICT that at times, the going is going to get tough.

I PREDICT that if you can tell me today what is your life
purpose and what is your lifelong vision for your body and your health, you will be as
motivated and driven half way through the year and at the end of the year as you were at
the beginning.

I PREDICT that if you don't have long term goals and a "big picture" vision for your life
that you will lose your
New Year's enthusiasm and motivation in a matter of months or even weeks.

I PREDICT that the way you see yourself in your mind's eye today will be an exact
reflection of what you see in the
mirror at the end of the year.

I PREDICT that if you have a setback that seems to get in the way of you reaching your
health and fitness goals and
you tell yourself "this just is temporary; this too shall pass," then it won't set you
back and it will pass.

I PREDICT that if you believe the way your body looks today
is out of your control and you feel helpless or powerless to change, you won't even make
much of an effort this year.

I PREDICT that if you accept complete responsibility for the
way your body looks today and you believe that you have the
power to change, that you will take action and keep taking
action, even through the tough times.

I PREDICT that if you're unhappy with your physical condition
and you say,"it's not my fault" or you blame it on genetics, hormones or age, then your
body will look pretty much the
same at the end of 2008 as it did on New Year's day.

I PREDICT that the more you have patience, a long term perspective and the ability to
postpone immediate gratification,
the more likely you are to be a success one year from now.

I PREDICT that the more you seek "miracle pills" or "quick fixes," the more likely you
are to be a failure one year from now.

I PREDICT that you will be tempted by many quick fixes in 2008.

I PREDICT that if you hang out with losers and negative people
this year, you will become just like them.

I PREDICT that if you hang out with winners and positive people
this year, you will become just like them.

I PREDICT that you will run into more negative people and losers
this year than positive people and winners.

I PREDICT that if you recruit just one friend or support partner
that stands behind you and the lifestyle changes you want to make
in 2008, you will double your chances for success. If you surround
yourself with numerous support partners, you will become virtually unstoppable.

So how does your future look for 2008?

Based on my predictions," if it doesn't look as bright as you'd like it to be, then don't
worry, because a prediction is not predestination.

You can't do anything to change the past, but with your thoughts, attitudes and actions
of the present moment, the future is yours to create.

Your friend and coach,

Tom Venuto
Burn the Fat