First and foremost, you MUST get into the mindset and DECIDE to commit to lose weight, tone up, or be healthy, because it just does not happen with you sitting on the fence or simply thinking about it. You must make it a reality! Think about the many times in your architectural studio courses (or crazy redline piles for the experience-only peeps) when the project seemed, by itself, overwhelming, but with a good focus on the end goal, tight deadline, and a commitment, you pulled through somehow. You were able to do this because you DECIDED to commit, you DECIDED to take it all on, and you followed through. As Greg Plitt (Veteran Trainer) always said, the deadline will ALWAYS give value to today.
Follow these simple steps, and while not all inclusive or revolutionary, they are exactly the steps I took in my own struggle.
- Establish your goals
To be completely honest, I had no idea which direction to take or how to get there, so I did what any draftsman would do in my shoes in 2008, I took to YouTube and Vimeo to draw on information. Of course, this was while sitting in front of a computer at 2am eating my second helping of carne asada fries from a Mexican fast-food place. To get started with the decision to change your life and become something better begins with defining the path and direction to follow. This is done by creating a set of goals. Peter Northouse’s book on Leadership Theory and Practice emphasises the practice and need to establish SMART goals (Specific Measurable Attainable Relevant and Timely) which gives both depth and meaning to the goals. My goals started with something along the lines of “don’t be fat” and “be attractive to the opposite sex!” but quickly evolved into “Practice workout week 4 (4 times) this week for no less than one hour.” - Get Started!
The decision for me to get started began rather abruptly as I got off the phone with a family member telling me that they had just been diagnosed as diabetic. That wasn’t going to be me. I didn’t want to be crippled with the feeling that I could kill myself before my 30s from something preventable. Not this time. Not ever! I remember not even waiting until Monday (as most tend to set their goals). I literally got out of my chair pulled the workout routine up on my phone and began exercising in my living room that day. NO WAITING! It was a bit personal for me, but I knew that I had to either go all in right then or let it drain my energy. The workouts I found on the internet was by a trainer in the east named Arnel Ricafranca and his approach was simple, get the six pack abs you want while working out at home. A financially challenged college student like me could afford that.
Check him out: http://www.crossfitrandolph.com/author/admin/ - Fuel your momentum
With your choice, some goals, and a bit of momentum on your side, you absolutely need to fuel that energy. There will be many nights and workouts when you are asking why you even started, why did you give up pizza, why you keep torturing. This is the exact time that momentum will fuel you through the hard times. As Les Brown (Motivational Speaker) has said in his speeches, the hard times will come and life will knock you down, but it’s up to you to get back up and get going again. As Michelle Rodriguez (Actress) once said, “You can’t have warrior’s blood and just give up. It’s tough, but you’ve gotta keep going.” Remember YOU CHOSE to be something better, it is up to you to fuel that and see it through.
Thank you and feel free to ask any questions or offer more insight!
