It Takes More than Exercise, Good Foods and
Smiles
I wish I could tell you that you needed
to do 100 squats a day to be in perfect shape.
I wish I could tell you that all you needed
to do was eat healthy foods or just smile most of the day
and you'd reach your ultimate health and fitness goals.
Unfortunately, it's not that easy. These
are only some of the pieces.
Don't listen to those who tell you exercise,
nutrition and a good attitude is the magic pill. It isn't.
Just doing these things won't cut it. Why? You'll end up back
where you started again. It is not a coincidence that dieters
gain the weight back. It is not by chance that strict workout
routines fade into once a month routines. The people with
even the best intentions fail when they haven't included one
essential aspect in your fitness plan.
Before I mention what that is, I want to
make one thing clear... when you fail at your fitness, it's
not because you are a loser or can't cut it or any other self
defeating thing you may think. Though you'd be surprised at
how many people think this is the case. The reason you fail
is because you were never given the right formula for success.
I'm going to give it to you right now.
Successful people see the outcome. They visualize themselves
achieving their goals. Successful people picture themselves
at the finish line, 20 pounds lighter, with great skin, flexible,
and in great health. Michael Jordan, Lance Armstrong, Arnold
Palmer... all the great athletes that you can think of separate
themselves because they visualize their success. And more
so than just seeing the future, they can feel it.
Think about something that you really wanted.
I mean REALLY wanted. I remember when I was about 7 or 8 I
wanted the G.I. JOE aircraft carrier. This thing was the motherload
of all toys at the time. I can remember seeing the commercials
on the TV and imagining how the flight deck felt as I landed
my planes and moved the figurines around it. I would spend
nights thinking about the thing. I put it on my birthday list,
I put it on my Christmas list. Everywhere. I knew I was going
to get it because I could close my eyes and see it right in
front of me.
But on Christmas day, it wasn't there under
the tree. I was devastated, disappointed, I couldn't believe
it wasn't there.
It was all I wanted.
I persisted. I asked my mother, "Are you
sure you didn't get it for me?" She responded with a solid,
"Nope." I didn't believe her. I looked in the closets. I looked
in the garage.
Then I went in the basement. And there
is was. Fully assembled. With a fleet ready and waiting for
the next attack.
How does a G.I. JOE aircraft carrier apply
to you and your fitness?
It's simple. You have to see yourself in
good health. When you're lying in bed, imagine yourself feeling
good, working out and smiling. Imagine the things you'll say
when you are in great shape. Imagine how people will respond
to you when you're 2 sizes smaller. Imagine the type of clothes
you'll wear. Schedule your days. Make appointments with people
you've been too afraid to speak to because you were too self
conscious. I mean do everything possible to make this dream
of yours a reality.
Shame on your sixth grade teacher who said
to stop daydreaming and looking out the window during class.
They've unknowingly squashed your ability to picture yourself
being a success.
Look out the window and imagine yourself
breathing in that air after a walk in the woods or at a park.
Daydream and focus on your goal of great health.
Then you can start to exercise. Then you
can start to eat right. Then you can and will start to smile
every time you think about how great it feels to be in phenomenal
shape!
Back
to Newsletter Archive
|
