An article of tough love

Successful people face just as many obstacles and challenges as everyone else. They’ve just decided to overcome them. “Not trying” has become the default reaction for too many people – people who really have great potential. We just entered a new year; most of you have made some sort of resolution. Will you be healthier, stronger, or leaner next year? Or will you still be making excuses?

“I don’t want to be a bodybuilder.”

“I don’t have time to work out, but what can I do to get rid of my beer-belly?”

“I’d love to be in shape like you, but I don’t want to be obsessed either.”

Those are some of the most common statements I get from potential clients walking through the door or just from conversations at parties. I blame a lot of those infomercials for making people think it is so easy to build muscles and that if you are not too careful – you could end up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. Believe me; if it was that easy, I’d have a few more first place trophies.

The “I don’t have time to work out, but how can I get rid of my beer belly” excuse is a favorite of mine, too. I usually get that question while the person is actually sipping a beer. I got one tip…. How about putting down the beer!? As far as time goes, all of us – and I mean all of us, have plenty of time. It’s that you don’t want to “make time”. Everyone has a couple of hours per week to prioritize your health. Think about how many hours per week you spend in front of the TV, sleeping in, or at the bar, etc.

It’s not about being obsessed, either. The majority of our clients who have made dramatic transformations with their physiques, and health have only worked out 2-4 hours per week to achieve those results. It comes back to priorities, and how much you want it.

So, how do they do it? They “Overcome”.

They are too busy to work out too, but they overcome. They are too busy to prepare healthy meals, but thy overcome. Their genetics may not be perfect, and don’t always feel like working out…..but, they overcome.

By becoming a Personal Trainer, I chose to dedicate my life to helping people. Most people don’t like to work-out, want to work-out, or know how to work-out. That is why I do what I do. DTC is about helping people who normally wouldn’t exercise – find a way to enjoy it, and get results from it. It’s not an easy challenge, but that is what I try to teach my staff. To find that connection, and help someone achieve something they never thought they could.

I hear people say they can’t stay motivated, or don’t have time. But see those same people spend money on “get rich quick” schemes on how to lose weight – pills, DVD’s, liquid diets, etc. If those all worked,

everyone would be doing it, and they would be charging a lot more money for them. Don’t be penny wise and dollar foolish.

Many people will make conversation with me on what they can do to get in shape. They usually don’t like my answer, and rather pop some pills or do a “fast” and see where it takes them. My answer is always – “consistency”. You have to do the right things, and be consistent with them. You can’t diet for 2 weeks, and then off for 2. You can’t workout for 2 weeks, and then off for 2. You most likely didn’t get out of shape in 2 weeks, so you can’t expect to in shape in 2 weeks either. It takes discipline, and perseverance. Unfortunately, that’s why most people fail.

If you do it long enough, you will feel enlightenment. You will feel Detoxed! What once was forced is now looked forward to.

The way out of a rut is to make major changes, most of which won’t be too pleasant in the beginning. Just remember the time to start working on that next goal is now. The time to get rid of those bad habits that hold you back is now. You want to look totally different by next Christmas? Start now.

This has nothing to do with New Year Resolutions. If you were serious about that resolution, you would be doing it already. The best time for productive action is always now.

It’s okay to enjoy life with a drink or a pizza. But don’t lose sight of the big picture. Don’t slip back into the darkness; it’s sometimes tough to climb back out. So, if your regularly scheduled work-out happens to fall on a holiday or a blizzard….will it be made up or skipped?

That answer is what will determine if you “Overcome”.