Depending on your approach, learning a language is what you make of it. Your studies can flow, leaving you questions why you previously spent so much time resisting it, or it can become an unenjoyable undertaking. Start, stop, quit. Bitch and moan. Rinse and repeat.

One of the barriers of learning a foreign language is trying to make the second language fit into your native patterns, instead of bringing your methods and thought patterns into the new language.

An excellent example would be Japanese. There are far too many words and phrases that have no direct translation into English. Which means you have to direct your thoughts, your preconceived methods (which weren’t working so well) in a different direction. 

You ask, “I know you're steering this comparison towards fitness. Is this going to require effort on my part?”

Yes. (Damn, I knew you were going to say that.)

Six months into the year. Now that beach/bikini season is in full swing (it never ends in Florida) how close are you in reaching your New Year resolution. You are still pursuing them, aren’t you? See, that’s why it’s time for a change, a different method to attain the same goal.

One of the most successful methods of learning a new language is immersion. This involves jumping into the deep end. Getting off the porch and running with the big dogs. Every possible available moment is spent reading, listening, watching, studying, thinking and absorbing the new language. Does it work? Hell, yes.

You’re asking how this applies to you. (Yes, you are.) 

I once read on a website of someone who used this very immersion technique, an interesting yet very true observation - do you know why young children are so adept at learning a language? They don’t have an adult’s lifetime experience of making excuses. 

How many times have you said, “Yeah, I know I should be doing this. Yeah, I know I shouldn’t eat this. Yeah, I know I should do something about it. Yes, I need to get my butt in gear. I know my current routine isn’t working, but the exertion factor is low, the comfort level is high and the amount I bitch about it is acceptable.”

Since you’ve said all of the above, maybe there’s something you should start asking yourself - “Is this going to help or hinder my progress?”

Is that fifth doughnut/pint of ice cream/bag of barbeque-salt and vinegar-sour cream and cheese chips you think no one notices going to aid or detract you from your goals? Is that time honored excuse of “I’ll do it tomorrow” going to assist, or impede your moving forward? Is that ninth pitcher of beer going to improve or obstruct your daily musings about your growing waistline, which, unbeknownst to you, recently applied for its own zoning laws. 

Here’s a final example of two bodies in motion, traveling in two different orbits . . .

A very good friend recently lost 20 pounds in two weeks. I’ve noticed the shape of his face has become more slender and his waistline has definitely slimmed down. (Even though there was that late night french fry incident several weeks ago, but he paid for it the next day. We surmised the oil used to fry the potatoes was in direct existence when the dinosaurs roamed the earth.) I asked how he did it, and this is his direct quote. “Clean eating, running, tennis, strength training, improved diet, increased water consumption, plenty of indoor/gym cardio and jump rope.”

Another person I recently met follows the time worn creed sung many times over - “Since I come to the gym, I figure I can eat whatever I want.” Second verse, same as the first. His personal mantra is clearly on display. As we were comparing notes on our eating habits, his was so bad I thought I gained weight merely by standing near by, listening to his culinary regimen. I started to reach for my own jump rope in order to ward off the evil food spirits.

Which direction are you heading towards?

Maybe its time to change directions. Immerse yourself towards the original goals. At this point, what do you have to lose, other than the old, unsuccessful habits holding you back from meaningful strides forward.

Progress now awaits.