So, this is probably how it started…you see a friend, old acquaintance, or celebrity that looks like they’re in pretty good shape.  You have kind of let yourself go in the last few years, but think “they look really good, maybe I should try to get in shape…”  You start actually using that gym membership you’ve been paying for. You’re hitting the gym a couple of days per week, trying to eat better during the week. But, you go out on the weekends, oh and you went to a few happy hours during the week, and that Friday workout? You cut that short because it’s been a long week and you just wanted to get home… You tell yourself you are trying. But really, you had already decided that you aren’t going to reach those goals before you even started. That sucks doesn’t it?

Remember back when you said “Maybe I should try to get in shape”?  Yeah, that thought was already the death of your goals.  You know why? Because YOU DIDN’T COMMIT.  You said, maybe I’ll try it. If it happens, awesome, but I don’t want to get my hopes up… I don’t really want to give up anything in order to have success. Your mindset was that it would be nice, but I don’t really want to do what it takes. You like the idea of getting in shape, but you don’t really want to commit to sacrificing a few things that will actually get you to succeed.

Your mindset, and your willpower are your strongest attributes when it comes to getting in shape.  You don’t need to have a degree in fitness, you don’t need a masters in nutrition.  You just need the mindset of “I’m going to do this. NO MATTER WHAT.”  If you make the decision, and commit to reaching your goals. Whether you just want to lose 5 pounds, or you want to win a bodybuilding show, you will get those results. It takes commitment and being dedicated to the goal in order to reach it.  Going in saying “I’m going to try…”  that is going to fail a huge percentage of the time.  You may get lucky once, but it won’t last.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU COMMIT? 

You decide you will do whatever it takes to get to that goal.  You commit to getting your workouts in during the week, and eating better, and improving yourself.  You may not have a lot of knowledge about nutrition, but that doesn’t matter. Because you committed, and then you go find out what types of foods you should be eating. You may ask a trainer at the gym (Hi, my name is Zach, I can help), or you may do a little google research (just be careful you get that info from a solid source, not some quack that is following the tapeworm diet..#stupid). Either way, you have committed to reaching success and you WILL DO whatever it takes to get there. It may take you a year, maybe less or maybe more, but you will get there. YOU WILL HAVE SUCCESS! Because you committed, made the decision, and you are willing to make a few sacrifices in order to hit your goals. And you will eventually get those goals. Maybe through trial and error, maybe from hiring a trainer like myself. (hint, one will get you there faster), but you will get there because you decided so.

So as I wrap this rant up, I’ll leave you with a challenge. I challenge you to write this out in your planner, on a sticky note on your fridge, wherever you will see it and remind yourself.  I AM COMMITTED. I HAVE MADE THIS DECISION. I WILL DO WHAT IT TAKES.  I WILL REACH MY GOALS. I WILL SUCCEED.  Write that, or some version of that, down somewhere you will see it daily so that when you are about to dive into that ice cream or chocolate, it smacks you in the face and reminds you not to screw up your goals. If you want another level of accountability, feel free to take a picture of it and post it on my Facebook page, I’ll  help you stay accountable.

I’d say good luck, but you don’t need luck. Why? Because you committed, that’s why.

Now go get it!

Zach