What will it take for you make that first step?
For me it took a crappy looking holiday photo.
I didn’t even have my top off on the photo to know how big I had got.
Why would I even consider taking my top off looking like that?
I ‘never’ had the confidence to take my top off in that state.
The thought of people staring at me, looking at my gut and my moobs.
It was red hot in Australia that summer, but there is still no way I was removing that top.
It was looking at that photo and seeing my missus with ‘that stranger’ that did it for me.
Up to that point I had been drifting through my 30’s in 2nd gear.
I was mid thirties at the time.
It was at that point I had the lightbulb switch on…
Some don’t have that ‘lightbulb’ moment until much later.
Often in their 40’s and possibly approaching their 50’s.
It may be due to health reasons…
Diabetes, high blood pressure, doctors advice or possibly even worse.
These things used to be ‘old people’ diseases. But today they happen to people much younger.
These things now happen to people in their 30’s and 40’s.
Some of my friends are already suffering.
Those that survive a major scare seem to change.
Things no longer get taken for granted and morality takes over and becomes a huge motivator.
Positive things start to happen:
- Less time at work
- More time with family
- Being more active
But this is difficult when stressed, out of shape and overweight.
Dropping some weight.
Becoming more active.
Building some muscle and getting toned before it becomes too late.
But Why Does It Have To Take Something External to Provide the Wake Up Call?
Why should it take something major for that lightbulb to switch on?
Why should it take waking up one day, overweight, out of shape and afraid to get into swimwear before you do something about it?
You feel unattractive and your confidence to project yourself has gone.
You have lost years with the kids.
They run around the park and say ‘chase me’ as you think of 20 different excuses other than ‘I am too tired’ to explain your inability.
This may sound harsh……but is likely true.
I have been through the mill myself.
Maybe not these exact scenarios…..but similar enough to understand.
And I can tell you that getting lean and fit has so many advantages.
- Improved well being.
- More focus at work
- Inner belief that anything is possible
- Sense of adventure
- Inspirational role model to kids
- Better relationship with spouse
- More energy
- More fun
- Sense of gratitude for what we have
- Much better chance of living longer
….and probably a load of other stuff that I can’t think of right now.
How does that measure up against the current situation?
Now I know what you are thinking….‘it’s not that bad for me’
‘I will just cut out the junk and go running……‘TOMORROW’
Problem is that Tomorrow never comes….
And time keeps ticking on….
We convince ourselves that we will get round to it eventually.
The problem is, we never do.
We are very good at convincing ourselves that
‘it is not too bad’ or ‘there is someone out there who is worse of than me’
The issue is that as we get older and we start to ‘age’, it becomes harder to get that shape back.
We pick up niggles….Our backs go, we get sore knees and we make excuses not to go out and get fit.
And life goes on…
Inches continue to grow around our waist, our moobs sag that little bit more, those t-shirts get a little tighter and walking up the stairs gets a little harder.
At the same time, our hair starts to grey, works stresses us out more, we get less sleep than we need and the hair we lose from our head grows in places you don’t want it to!
So why wait?
It was this thinking that shook me out of this situation.
I would love this to strike a nerve with you too.
To set some goals, follow a plan and nail them.
To make a change without having ‘the scare’ first….like I did
To realise that being fit, healthy and in better shape will unlock so many doors as you continue your journey through life
To help you realise that you’re capable of so much more.
Yeah, but…..
You may be reading this, nodding your head in agreement and without realising it you are saying…..
“yeah, but…….”
and then finishing that sentence with
“I have to travel for work”
“Our kids are still so young”
“I don’t have the time”
“I can’t afford it”
“I’ve got a bad back”
…..blah, blah, blah!!!
There is a solution to every single one of those excuses
….and you know it.
I stopped making these excuses…and got this:
And if you continue to make these excuses, you will stay where you are….or worse!
If nothing else, take my simple and free advice
- Set a realistic 8 week goal – make this challenging but achievable (lose half a stone for example)
- Commit to exercising 3 times per week for anything between 20mins and 45 mins….just get moving
- Cut down on processed foods
- Eat a majority of whole foods (things that grow from the ground or moved at some point)
- Drink at least 2 litres of water per day (stop at about 7 pm though or you may be up in the night….)
If you do nothing else other that the above you will notice a huge difference in energy levels and waist size within just 8 weeks.
Regardless of what first step you take – just make sure you do something.
Don’t wait for something too serious to happen first.
Good luck, Gaz.
