— Leave a Comment

Motivation in a Pill

What is it about driven people that makes them motivated?

I like when people make realistic goals. One customer told me he knew what needed to be done for his health, but he just needed the motivation.

“Do you have a pill for that?” he asked. I chuckled.

Oh crap, he was being serious.

Motivation is difficult for things we should do.

I am no master of motivation. Even though I consistently eat healthy foods and work out my body, there are still many other duties in life. I typically realize when I’m putting something important off if my inner dialogue goes like this, “I should be doing that.”

Maybe we can stop thinking about it, and just do it. When it comes to health and fitness, actions matter most.

What motivates me?

My personal health and fitness is one of the biggest accomplishments I have to show for myself. I have spent countless hours learning how to manipulate my diet, movement patterns, and routines so that I could apply that knowledge to daily habits.

Once you truly experience how fitness is so life changing, I don’t think you ever lose it. My dedication comes in waves, peaking when I have specific goals, and decreasing in times of luxury. The holidays killed my perfect eating, but I’ll be back at it — eating clean and getting lean in no time.

You gotta want it

Pause for a moment and think about where you would imagine your body in fitness and health. Chiseled abs? Perfect thighs? If you spend time thinking about it, you may attract the end results — but only by setting goals to realistically achieve it.

Thoughts rule us…

  • What small activity can you do now to eat healthier?
  • Is there a particular habit that holds you back?
  • Do you ever feel down about your body — what are you thinking when you feel down about yourself?
  • Can you think of positive counter-examples to negative thoughts?
  • What is it about my lifestyle that is holding me back right now?

I used to think that I’d never gain any muscle. Now people seek out my advice for themselves.

I’m not saying that anything is possible, but if you want to reach peak performance, health and fitness is a good place to focus on.

Uncategorized
— 1 Comment

Does the Perfect Body REALLY bring you Confidence?

You may have seen my body in many different manifestations.

I went from being chubby in high school, to the skinny long distance runner as a Freshman in college, into a bulky fellow, and finally into the lean guy with nice legs who you know and love.

The human body is never the same as it was yesterday — we are constantly in flux.

A perfect physique is finite and can only exist for a period of time. A muscular body can be taken away from you at any time — whether illness or accident.

Therefore, if confidence is directly linked to your physical body, then self worth becomes as fragile as thin ice.

Take responsibility for your own success

At 20 years old, I was a skinny kid who drank way too much beer and just started lifting weights with no success.

But, by learning from mistakes, researching exercise physiology, and dedication to my goals, I gained twenty pounds of solid muscle. Not a small feat — ask any skinny guy you know.

The result of my work was visible to all man, woman, and child who placed their gaze upon my muscular physique.

Where does the confidence really come from?

The real power of fitness is that it can change your entire life.

  • Setting goals, and achieving them
  • Self awareness and self control
  • Progressively attaining personalized strength and fitness
  • Mind-body connection

The lessons you learn from the weight room, or cross country running, or playing sports will cross over into other areas of your life. Success breeds success.

Because of dedication, we realize that we can achieve anything we put our minds to.

THAT, my friends, is real confidence. Even if I lose all of my muscle tomorrow, I will still have the invaluable experiences that make me the person I am today. Those experiences — in which I applied my energy towards a goal — give me confidence in every other aspect of my life: personal and professional.

My physical attractiveness will eventually wear off as I age. But I will still be a happy person because I bring confidence to relationships and hold an ambition for mastery in my deepest of passions (fitness is one).

Nothing is insurmountable. If you really want those six pack abs, set a small goal TODAY. Consume one more type vegetable or purchase an Omega-3 supplement.

An investment in your body is equally an investment in your soul.

Enrich your life.

Stay tuned for more…

Blog & Personality Power of the Mind
— Leave a Comment

Is the WORLD Happy With Your Body? (depends who’s asking…)

I think as the story goes, girls want to grow up and marry a charming prince, but boys just want to become a hero.

Little Sally, at four years old enjoys role playing with barbies — it’s the complexity of human social relationships that fascinates her budding mind. She tries to make the barbie look pretty, because she already knows that looks attract.

Owner is only four years old, and already preparing for matrimony.

Owner is only four years old, and already preparing for matrimony.

Next door to her, Jimmy…a five year old boy with propensity to ram toy fire trucks into LEGO’s — demonstrates influence over his environment.

These two young ones will grow into personalities with unique desires and expectations. Despite different strengths and weaknesses, eventually they will all reveal vulnerabilities about their body image.

Why do we have so many preconceptions about how others perceive our physiques?

Truth is that…some people have extra chins, others have veins, cellulite, a little hair — you name it. Some people are just incredibly insecure about their CALVES even…!

Factors influencing beliefs about your body:

  • What you think OTHER PEOPLE feel about your body.
  • What other people ACTUALLY FEEL about your body.
  • Shouldn’t it only matter how YOU FEEL about your body?

I realize that a lot of us aren’t perfect in every way. Welcome to life.

But there’s NO point feeling bad about it!

Especially when a sliver of happiness is an inch away.

Seek life at the head, and take a step forward.

Actually, take lots of steps! (See Getting FIT with Walking) 🙂

My point is that you can implement one healthy habit at a time, and you’ll start feeling better already as you come closer to your body’s full potential.

With results, comes satisfaction.

I think all efforts are boosted by some self-understanding. Pause for a moment, and then ask yourself…what do you really value and what are you going to do to achieve those values?

As a young male, I am consistently exposed to images of masculine avatars. During my adolescence, it was Arnold, Stalone, Baywatch. Now it’s sports stars, pop culture icons, and anything that sells.

But then I realized that we’re not all that different at all. Even though toned beach bodies will remain in syndication for years, you can be sure that each actor has had some certain body insecurity.

It makes NO sense for a top level beach body actor to worry about their body. Just as it makes no sense to WORRY about yourself either. It’s quite human to have vulnerabilities, so why not instead emphasize that which you’re most proud of.

Hasselhoff to crew: Focus on my manly chest, but please dont show my puny calves.

Hasselhoff to crew: "Focus on my manly chest, but please don't show my puny calves."

The TRUTH is that we learn more from success than we do failure. The more success you have, the easier it will be to maintain a healthy weight.

Get off your butt.

Focus on the goal.

And, take it one step at a time.

Physical fitness supports all aspects of social and personal life. Whether you want to be a sports hero, or meet your prince charming, I’m with you for the journey.

But right now, I must visit my local gym, Bally’s Total Fitness, to train my body closer to its full potential.

Until the next time, my friend…

CNN — why we eat too much, and how to get control

Power of the Mind