EMPOWERMENT: THE ELEMENTS
Having decision-making power.
No one can become independent unless he or she is given the opportunity to make important decisions about his or her life. What aspect of your life can be more
important than your health? By visiting this website, you have made a choice to inquire about personal fitness. That choice comes from empowerment. What
other choices are you empowered to make with regard to your health and fitness?
Having access to information and resources.
Decision making shouldn't happen in a vacuum. Decisions are best made when the individual has sufficient information to weigh the possible consequences of
various choices. Lacking adequate information, you may make impulsive choices that doom you to remain or become unfit. CPT Jack's Basic Training will not
only lead you onto a path of fitness but provide the necessary information and resources to transform you lifestyle to last a lifetime!
Having a range of options from which to make choices.
Meaningful choice is not merely a matter of "shorts or skirt" or "flip-flops or sandals". The same goes for your fitness needs. Whether you need a comprehensive
nutritional plan, a rigorous exercise routine, a group-fitness program, or some combination of the three, you have a range of options at CPT Jack's Basic Training.
Assertiveness.
Assertiveness can be defined as being able to clearly state one's wishes and to stand up for oneself. This attribute helps an individual to get what he or she wants.
If what you want is a healthy lifestyle, or simply a leaner look, be assertive by stating what you want and then taking a step toward that objective. The greatest
motivation will come from within. CPT Jack's Basic Training exists to help you take your wishes and develop a viable plan of action to make it a reality.
A feeling that the individual can make a difference.
Hope is an essential element in fitness. A person who is hopeful believes in the possibility of future change and improvement; without hope, it can seem pointless to
make an effort. Yet unfit individuals who label themselves "incurable" or "chronic" cannot be expected to be motivated to take action and make changes in their lives
because of the overall hopelessness such labels convey.
Learning to think critically; unlearning the conditioning; seeing things differently.
Part of the process of becoming fit is the transformation of individuals' lives and personal stories into what can be called "case histories." Therefore, part of the
empowerment process is a reclaiming process for these life stories. Similarly, the empowerment process includes a reclaiming of one's sense of competence, and a
recognition of the often-hidden power dwelling within oneself. Using the techniques and information provided by CPT Jack's Basic Training will facilitate critical
thinking relating to personal fitness.
Learning to identify stress and relieve frustrations.
There's no doubt that stress is unavoidable. The fact is that we need stress in our lives to keep us "on our toes". However excess amounts of stress and
particularly negative stress needs to be limited or vented. Because the expression of emotion in order to vent frustrations is often restricted due to social norms,
people desiring to be healthy and fit require a conduit for doing so. Taking out frustrations upon coworkers and family members is neither productive or effective
in reducing negative stress. However learning to identify stressors and methodologies to channel relief techniques through fitness is another source of personal
empowerment.
Not feeling alone; feeling part of a group.
An important element in empowerment is its group dimension. We believe that it is necessary to recognize that empowerment does not occur to the individual alone,
but has to do with experiencing a sense of connectedness with other people. By counting on a professional to guide you through a personal lifestyle transformation
puts you in the same group of millions of people before you who have chosen to take control of their lifestyle.
Effecting change in one's life and one's community.
Empowerment is about more than a "feeling" or a "sense". We define such intangible concepts as precursors to action. When a person brings about actual change,
he or she increases feelings of mastery and control. This, in turn, leads to further and more effective change. Again, we emphasize that this is not merely personal
change, but has a group dimension, since those around you will see your transformation and become intrigued by it.
Changing others' perceptions.
If anything defines the public (and professional) perception of "fitness" it is competency. People in a visible state of fitness are widely assumed to be
knowledgeable of what it takes to be healthy and fit. As one takes control of one's lifestyle, suddenly he or she is perceived as competent and given a heightened
level of respect. The individual who recognizes that he or she is earning the respect of others increases his or her self-confidence, thus further changing outsiders'
perceptions.
Coming out of the closet.
No, not that closet, but the concept remains the same. People with devalued social statuses due to their own physical form or attitude they project often tend to
remain closed within themselves. While not necessarily true for all unfit individuals, the self-loathing that will almost always persist takes its toll in the form of
decreased self-esteem and fear of rejection. Individuals who transform their lifestyle reach the point where they can reveal their true personalities, subsequently
displaying self-confidence.
Growth and change that is never ending and self-initiated.
Empowerment is not a destination, but a journey; no one reaches a final stage in which further growth and change is unnecessary. That said, it is important to
remember that fitness and health must be viewed and treated as a lifetime commitment to retain the benefits that accompany it.
Having decision-making power.
No one can become independent unless he or she is given the opportunity to make important decisions about his or her life. What aspect of your life can be more
important than your health? By visiting this website, you have made a choice to inquire about personal fitness. That choice comes from empowerment. What
other choices are you empowered to make with regard to your health and fitness?
Having access to information and resources.
Decision making shouldn't happen in a vacuum. Decisions are best made when the individual has sufficient information to weigh the possible consequences of
various choices. Lacking adequate information, you may make impulsive choices that doom you to remain or become unfit. CPT Jack's Basic Training will not
only lead you onto a path of fitness but provide the necessary information and resources to transform you lifestyle to last a lifetime!
Having a range of options from which to make choices.
Meaningful choice is not merely a matter of "shorts or skirt" or "flip-flops or sandals". The same goes for your fitness needs. Whether you need a comprehensive
nutritional plan, a rigorous exercise routine, a group-fitness program, or some combination of the three, you have a range of options at CPT Jack's Basic Training.
Assertiveness.
Assertiveness can be defined as being able to clearly state one's wishes and to stand up for oneself. This attribute helps an individual to get what he or she wants.
If what you want is a healthy lifestyle, or simply a leaner look, be assertive by stating what you want and then taking a step toward that objective. The greatest
motivation will come from within. CPT Jack's Basic Training exists to help you take your wishes and develop a viable plan of action to make it a reality.
A feeling that the individual can make a difference.
Hope is an essential element in fitness. A person who is hopeful believes in the possibility of future change and improvement; without hope, it can seem pointless to
make an effort. Yet unfit individuals who label themselves "incurable" or "chronic" cannot be expected to be motivated to take action and make changes in their lives
because of the overall hopelessness such labels convey.
Learning to think critically; unlearning the conditioning; seeing things differently.
Part of the process of becoming fit is the transformation of individuals' lives and personal stories into what can be called "case histories." Therefore, part of the
empowerment process is a reclaiming process for these life stories. Similarly, the empowerment process includes a reclaiming of one's sense of competence, and a
recognition of the often-hidden power dwelling within oneself. Using the techniques and information provided by CPT Jack's Basic Training will facilitate critical
thinking relating to personal fitness.
Learning to identify stress and relieve frustrations.
There's no doubt that stress is unavoidable. The fact is that we need stress in our lives to keep us "on our toes". However excess amounts of stress and
particularly negative stress needs to be limited or vented. Because the expression of emotion in order to vent frustrations is often restricted due to social norms,
people desiring to be healthy and fit require a conduit for doing so. Taking out frustrations upon coworkers and family members is neither productive or effective
in reducing negative stress. However learning to identify stressors and methodologies to channel relief techniques through fitness is another source of personal
empowerment.
Not feeling alone; feeling part of a group.
An important element in empowerment is its group dimension. We believe that it is necessary to recognize that empowerment does not occur to the individual alone,
but has to do with experiencing a sense of connectedness with other people. By counting on a professional to guide you through a personal lifestyle transformation
puts you in the same group of millions of people before you who have chosen to take control of their lifestyle.
Effecting change in one's life and one's community.
Empowerment is about more than a "feeling" or a "sense". We define such intangible concepts as precursors to action. When a person brings about actual change,
he or she increases feelings of mastery and control. This, in turn, leads to further and more effective change. Again, we emphasize that this is not merely personal
change, but has a group dimension, since those around you will see your transformation and become intrigued by it.
Changing others' perceptions.
If anything defines the public (and professional) perception of "fitness" it is competency. People in a visible state of fitness are widely assumed to be
knowledgeable of what it takes to be healthy and fit. As one takes control of one's lifestyle, suddenly he or she is perceived as competent and given a heightened
level of respect. The individual who recognizes that he or she is earning the respect of others increases his or her self-confidence, thus further changing outsiders'
perceptions.
Coming out of the closet.
No, not that closet, but the concept remains the same. People with devalued social statuses due to their own physical form or attitude they project often tend to
remain closed within themselves. While not necessarily true for all unfit individuals, the self-loathing that will almost always persist takes its toll in the form of
decreased self-esteem and fear of rejection. Individuals who transform their lifestyle reach the point where they can reveal their true personalities, subsequently
displaying self-confidence.
Growth and change that is never ending and self-initiated.
Empowerment is not a destination, but a journey; no one reaches a final stage in which further growth and change is unnecessary. That said, it is important to
remember that fitness and health must be viewed and treated as a lifetime commitment to retain the benefits that accompany it.
| em·pow'·er (verb) 1. To invest with power. 2. To equip or supply with an ability; enable. |
Empowerment Seminar
Attend this interactive lecture, held periodically, designed to teach the novice fitness enthusiast the fundamentals of nutrition,
exercise, and provide motivational tools to help individuals take control of their lifestyle. View Schedule.
“CPT Jack’s Body Empowerment Plan”
Includes Comprehensive Nutritional Guidance coupled with all aspects of the “Fitness Roadmap” intended for self-training.
Recommended for relatively motivated individuals that need that extra push just to get started or break a training plateau.
Introductory personal training sessions are included.
Attend this interactive lecture, held periodically, designed to teach the novice fitness enthusiast the fundamentals of nutrition,
exercise, and provide motivational tools to help individuals take control of their lifestyle. View Schedule.
“CPT Jack’s Body Empowerment Plan”
Includes Comprehensive Nutritional Guidance coupled with all aspects of the “Fitness Roadmap” intended for self-training.
Recommended for relatively motivated individuals that need that extra push just to get started or break a training plateau.
Introductory personal training sessions are included.
| © 2011 CPT Jack’s Basic Training, LLC; All Rights Reserved. |
