Consistency

Tip of the year: Consistency

The power of consistency never fails to amaze me. So often you see people in the streets or at the gym who are amazingly fit. Different people always have different attitudes on the subject. Depending on your personal philosophy you might get envious, depressed, angry. Maybe you'll get inspired to work harder. Who knows? You might think to yourself, "that's not fair, he's got better genes!" Believe me, it's SO easy to think that. Or you might think to yourself, "gimme two more months, and that guy will have nothin' on me!" Either way you choose to go, one thing still remains the same - you are still going to have only one body. Yours!
Now, I've been on both ends of the stick, and the one thing I've learned throughout my years in (and out) of the gym is this:
If you stick to what you are doing, you will get results.

This law, if you'll call it that, always works. If you stick to your work out plan you'll see results you are after. It also works in reverse: if you stick to eating a crappy diet with no exercise, you will continue to add the pounds to your waist.

So, maybe you are that guy w/ the perfect body - great for you. Maybe you are just beginning your journey to health - great for you too. Chances are, if you've made it to this blog you are somewhere in between. But wherever you are, just remember one thing: the only way to get the body you want is to stick with it.

I'm Slacking Today

Man, today is a slacker day in the Andrew B. Universe.
I recently decided to schedule my workouts on a Wed., Fri., Sat., and maybe Monday schedule - starting this week. Today is Friday, and boy did i NOT have it in me to make it to the gym. This is one of those small things that can add up to Epic Fails later on. A lot of people would say "it's only ONE day, no big deal." But most people also have the same New Years Resolution this year, as they did last year (and probably the year before that as well). This year one of my goals is to gain weight and keep it on. More specifically, hit 155 lbs by April 15th, and at least stay above 147 for the rest of the year. Right now I'm a little above 140 lbs.
"What's the problem?", you say. "Can it really be that hard to gain weight?" My answer to that is: Yes! Especially if I'm missing days in the gym. Look at it from the reverse perspective - someone trying to lose weight. They may think, "well, its only ONE can of soda, it ain't gonna hurt that bad." But the truth is, IT WILL! This is why i stress out, and beat myself up over one lost day at the gym. My plan is to work out 3-4 times per week, if i miss just one day I'm 25-33% behind on my goal. Keeping in mind that there are only 7 days in a week, and if i want the recommended one-day-of-rest between each workout, missing even one gym day can be lethal.

Luckily for me, I've read enough books to know how to handle myself without going into a tailspin of self-condemnation - I made a compromise with myself - a deal, if you will. I allowed myself to not go to the gym, but to make up for it i would have to tackle something else that would improve another aspect of my life. I now have to finish three overdue items from my to-do list, and i have to do two sets of push-ups and chin ups in my apartment. Looking back, getting my ass to the gym, in the first place, would have been way easier - one of my to-do list items is my Feb. budget - ugh! At least now, though, I don't feel as guilty about missing my gym time. In fact, i almost feel a sense of accomplishment - for getting in a small workout and tackling my procrastination items - which will lead to more confidence down the road.

What I am deciding to take away from this mornings lesson is:
1. Don't be so hard on yourself. Nobody is perfect - as hard as everyone tries to be anyways - it just wont happen. So, why beat yourself up over it. Now, that isn't me saying not to be disciplined or that you won't have to make up for falling behind - because, believe me, you will have to make it up somehow. Just don't spend too much time in self-condemnation, it just reinforces negative subconscious patterns, which will make your journey even harder.
2. Acknowledge any speed bumps that arise in your path. Its one thing to make excuses for not following through on your plans and goals, fooling yourself into thinking that you don't actually have to work to attain results. Its another to be honest with yourself about what you want and why, and knowing the time and effort it takes to get there, and then putting in the work - one way or another. Which leads into...
3. BE FLEXIBLE - or at least as flexible as you can while still maintaining course to hit your goals. Build flexibility into your overall plan-of-action, you'll appreciate your own foresight later on. Trust me on that one. Knowing your own strengths/weaknesses allows you to build fail-safes into your P.O.A to keep you on track despite your shortcomings.

So, let me get started on my new assignments. Cheers.

Welcome

Welcome,
 
I am writing this blog for several reasons.
 
First: I want to tell my story. I’ve always been a naturally thin guy. I was always the shortest in my class, and as a kid I got ill at least once, but normally about twice, a year.  Gym class was a nightmare for me; I was physically weak, I couldn’t keep up, I was always picked last (which has a horrible effect on your confidence).  So I was always searching for a way to get past it, and just be a “normal” athletic kid.
 
Second: I want there to be a quality source of information for anyone in the same situation as me, or anyone who knows someone in a similar situation.  As I searched for ways to get fit and healthy, I found more information and advice than I could ever want or need. In fact, more information that any one human could ever process.  Anyone who’s ever looked online for advice on getting healthier knows what I am talking about. Then, to top it off, it’s ALWAYS changing. How is anyone - professional or not - supposed to keep up with it all. I’m looking for a way to get the best information on what works, and chronicle it.
 
Third: Because I want to keep myself accountable in my journey to getting healthier. I figure if I write about my experience and post it online for the world to see, there’s less of a chance of me going easy on myself. So, to whoever is reading this: Thank you for helping me to reach my goals.
 
If along the way I am able to help at least one person along their journey, then the time I spend writing this blog is well worth it.
 
Thanks for stopping by. I hope you join me on my journey; let's help each other out.
 
Disclosure: I own my own Health and Nutrition business. That being said; NO I am not trying to sell you anything (but of course I wouldn’t object to anyone contacting me for more information on my services ;-D)