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