| The only way you will follow through on an exercise | | | | decision is made, all the pressure is off. My philosophy |
| program is to be sold out. The military calls them "lifers." | | | | is: "GOALS CHANGE, DECISIONS DON'T" |
| It's not about the NUMBERS! | | | | Being sold out is an attitude of the heart! |
| The health clubs are always racking their brains trying | | | | It's not about YOU! |
| to figure out why they have such a hard time keeping | | | | Twenty-two years ago, I attended college. Instead of |
| members coming back. Most owners would argue that | | | | studying, I wandered into a gym in the basement of |
| cash flow and profit margins are the most important | | | | the men's dormitory. I didn't have a bit of knowledge of |
| reason to retain membership. Yes, but what drives | | | | how to begin an exercise program, where to go to |
| customers to these health clubs? These owners have | | | | start, or who to turn to for help. After about a month |
| lost touch with what matters most, the customer! Give | | | | of blindly making my way through the steel machines, |
| the customer more than they expect and they will | | | | buffed bodies, and stinky locker rooms, something |
| continue to do business with you. Selling a product or | | | | dawned on me. And to this day has kept me |
| service is about people more so than numbers on a | | | | exercising all these years. I started to realize that |
| spreadsheet. | | | | whatever I was doing, it was going to impact my life |
| Sink holes vs. potholes | | | | more than I could imagine. Exercise and eating properly |
| I want you to think of this principle in your workout. You | | | | were not only going to change my life, but it was also |
| know it is very easy to get burdened down with all the | | | | going to propel me into making an impact on others. |
| details of an exercise and diet program. While | | | | You can be motivated, but not disciplined. However, |
| guidelines are necessary, at times focusing too much | | | | you cannot be disciplined without being motivated. |
| on the numbers can and will set you up for failure. You | | | | Rewards bigger than life |
| may start to think all this counting calories, reps, and | | | | I understood there would be some good attitude days |
| keeping track of heart rates are too much to | | | | and some very bad ones. I knew some workouts |
| accomplish. Unexpectedly, you start to lose sight of | | | | would make me feel good and others where I never |
| your goals and it becomes more of a job than a | | | | wanted to see a treadmill again. But, deep inside, I |
| hobby or stress release. You may even quit exercising. | | | | realized that just one more day could make a |
| This can be an immediate sinkhole for you. | | | | difference. For just one more day, I could force myself |
| It's being sold out! | | | | to eat good food. For just one more day, I realized this |
| The only way you will follow through on an exercise | | | | was not about my selfish attitude and me. |
| program is to be sold out. The military calls them "lifers." | | | | It's the Big Picture |
| These are people who are committed to something | | | | Each of you is different. You will put into exercise a |
| for the long haul. Are you a lifer? Could you be a lifer? | | | | certain amount of effort and everyone will get |
| A lifer has a sold out mindset. He or she realizes that | | | | something different from it. You cannot just package |
| there will be potholes to go through; there may even | | | | good intentions and say, "If you do this or if you buy |
| be a sinkhole up ahead, but they get through it or they | | | | that, you will receive this in return." It just doesn't work |
| go around the situation. It may take support from | | | | that way. But, I will guarantee you this: committing to |
| others, but it gets done. You may not be a lifer today, | | | | exercise and eating right will bring you nothing but |
| but you could be if you don't make changes now! | | | | positive and fulfilling rewards, both physically and |
| Decision making | | | | emotionally. It could very well save your life some day. |
| I was named Mr. Michigan in the statewide bodybuilding | | | | It saved mine! |
| contest in 1988. When I competed in bodybuilding | | | | A promise that can not BE BROKEN. |
| contests, it took me a good month to decide if I really | | | | I have bad days. I have good days. I have days I had |
| wanted to go for that particular goal. The decision | | | | wish I had never started exercising. I want fried foods |
| process was well thought out. I realized the days | | | | some days. I eat fried foods sometimes. I want to take |
| ahead would bring doubt, frustration, pain, and at times, | | | | a vacation from it all. I take a vacation from it all. Yet, |
| humility. | | | | at the end of the day, some small voice inside reminds |
| I also realized it could bring many emotional setbacks. | | | | me of that decision I made many years ago. I can't |
| Was I willing to pay the price? Was I willing to change | | | | turn back even when I want to. I made a commitment |
| my behavior and lifestyle for the hope of a future | | | | to myself years ago: Never be afraid to ask for help |
| benefit? All those thoughts had to be debated before | | | | and realize every day to focus on the big picture. |
| the decision to move forward was made. However, | | | | What about you? Are you going to sell out to being |
| when I made the decision to go forward, a switch was | | | | miserable, achy, low energy, and suffer from low |
| turned on that could not be turned off. I could not turn | | | | self-esteem? Or are you going to make a meaningful |
| back. There is a sense of relief that comes with | | | | decision to get in better health? Let's do it together. |
| making a decision. Perhaps because once that | | | | |