Well, 2012 is finally here – and that means we can have a “symbol” of change for the year ahead. I, of all people, do not mind a good symbol of change. I’ve used them often – but make sure it’s not a temporary fix for a major problem that needs addressed in your life!
I talk to many people on a daily basis, and find that symbols run rampant in our society. We buy the treadmill more as a symbol of health, fat loss and vitality than an actual tool to help you control your weight. The same is true with the weight loss pill, or latest ab gimmick. DVD’s and books (even though I have one) are other symbols of a “change” that end up collecting dust under your copy of “The Sound Of Music”…maybe that’s just me…
But the point remains the same regardless – we buy the tools (treadmills, fat loss gimmicks) thinking that they will change our mindset. It never works – first you must change the mind – then you must gain the knowledge, and only then can you begin to change your body and life (that sounded like something out of Scarface – first you get the money, then you get the power…)
Even Drug Kingpin Tony Montana Knew He Had To Take Things In Order...Of Course We Want Our Assets To Last A Bit Longer Than His.
All of the knowledge in the world is completely useless if it’s not applied, and in order to apply that knowledge you must first change your mindset. I call this “flipping the switch”, and I’ve talked to my successful clients in the past about this. They all have this in common. Most of them can tell me the day that the “switch flipped” and they were ready to change their life.
Maybe it was the umpteenth time that their pants wouldn’t button. Maybe it was feeling depressed and unattractive at the local pool. Or maybe it was catching a glimpse of their fat butt in the mirror at the local tanning bed (I’m gettin’ old – I don’t go anymore, but that was what flipped my switch in 2003 when I was a whopping 218lbs).
Whatever the stimulation that caused the flip of the switch – it was there, you can count on that. If you see anyone in spectacular shape – that switch has flipped sometime in their past – and if you ask them why they stay in shape, they’ll prolly give you a nice, definitive (and probably not so pleasant) time in their life where their mindset changed, and the old switch flipperoo’d.
I am a firm believer that the initial mindset change is the most important factor in achieving not only your goals in fitness – but in your whole life.
- Be A Heat Seeker – Eventually You Will Hit Your Target
A heat seeking missile doesn’t go straight to a target and destroy it like it seems to. It goes off course time and time again – redirecting back toward the target every time it strays off course. It messes up over and over, but persistently keeps moving toward the target.
You will hit your targets the same way in fitness and in life.
Set a target – determine to hit said target – and watch yourself go off course time and time again – like the aforementioned “heat seeker”. Acknowledge the mistake, then analyze it, fix it, and put it behind you. Reliving it over and over will do no good. Fix the “bad” action that caused the mistake and redirect back toward the target. Then never give up.
To compare this to something you can watch on T.V. – try out the Rocky series. Just when things can’t get much worse – Rocky “flips the switch” and refuses to give up. His goal or target is more important than any amount pain, and he pushes through no matter what.
In order to achieve in life we must be much the same. Here are the 4 steps that I share with my clients for goal achievement:
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Mindset – When a client calls me one of the first things I want to find out is if the switch has flipped. If this person is truly dedicated mentally to what they have to do to change their bodies and lives. I ask “On a scale of 1 to 10 – how dedicated are you, right now, to achieving your fitness goals once and for all.” If I get anything less than a 10, I dig to find out what their “mental block” or hurdle is.
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Knowledge – Knowledge can come from many sources, books, video’s, even the computer. The thing is knowledge is completely and totally useless if it isn’t applied. That’s why mindset comes first.
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Plan of action – Emphasis on action. If you have the mindset, and you have the knowledge, next comes putting these components into a workable plan of action. This plan of action means planning for the future and what path and actions will take you to your target. One question you should ask yourself is “what can I do right now to take me further toward my target.” Plan for the future, but live in the present. Don’t get caught up in the number of days it will take to get in shape – or the number meals or anything else. Simply take action on what you can do “right now.”
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Support, Coaching and Accountability – I love fitness – it’s my thing. I can motivate myself to move towards a fitness target – but for many people fitness is not their main interest. That means that it becomes increasingly hard to set the plan in motion and stick to it. I have this problem with my business – so to resolve it I get coaching so I am accountable. To hit your fitness target you must make yourself accountable to hitting your goal. You can do this by thinking of being fit at future events, how you will feel when you’re fit, or a myriad of other “motivators.” But you have to be accountable. Personal Training is a way of combining all of these factors. A good trainer can give you knowledge, a plan, hold you accountable, and even help with your mindset – which is the holy grail of getting fit.
I guess you could say this blog is “mental”, but trust me when I say that the mind is where this thing starts. How bad do you want it? Bad enough to go after it with all of your heart – give up a few things along the way, and dig deep to hit your target? Has your switch flipped? Are you ready to take action and go the distance to achieve your best body (and life) ever in 2012?
Remember to make plans for the future, but live in the present. Remember to ease into your program and not try to do a complete 180 overnight. Remember to keep your favorite foods and activities in your plan – and to enhance your lifestyle – not over-complicate and dull it down with unnecessary rules and regulations. And remember you will make mistakes – lots of mistakes – but if you stay in tune with the target and “redirect” back to it each time you mess up, then just like our aforementioned heat seeking missile – you will hit the target. Trust me, my whole life I’ve been a heat seeker.
Jay Scott is an ISSA Certified Personal Trainer, NPC National Level Bodybuilder, Fitness Model, and Nutrition Coach. Jay owns CE-Fitness, a Personal Training business in Lexington, KY. Jay has been helping people lose weight and transform their bodies since 1998. Contact him at jay@cefitness.net or visit his site at www.cefitness.net for books, products, training options and more.
