What Is Your “Why?”
When you want to go somewhere, two questions are critical – “What is the destination?” and “How are you going to get there?”
When most people get into nutrition and fitness it is because they are unhappy with where they are in life. One day you say enough is enough, and you want to better yourself. The motivation for change is there and you want to get started. The only problem is, how do you start – Yoga? Fitness? Protein shakes? Keto? Vegan? The list is long and many speak very loudly about their solution that definitely will fit your need – no matter what that need is.
This is the most critical part of the journey, and the one most self-help books, cookbooks, influencers, 12-week get-bikini-ready-programs etc. prey on. You have the motivation to leave your comfort zone, but you do not know your destination, or how to get there. There are so many people who are willing to sell you a good story or a miracle quick-fix that will give you six-pack abs in no time, or show you a new, easy way to lose weight. The list is long and it’s incredible how many concepts are being produced to “help” you take some weight off your belly (and your wallet). There are many ways to get to a goal, and the common denominator is that most strategies are simple and structured, but you need a goal or a destination to figure out what path is right for you. We will make an article about different strategies and goals down the road, but for now, we will focus on what the important steps are when you feel the motivation and you want to get started.
What is your “Why?”
What do you want to achieve? Is it to lose body fat? Run a marathon? Being able to play with your grandkids? Looking good naked? Or something else entirely? The most important aspect of this initial step of the journey is that you are honest with yourself and figure out why you want to change. If a cookbook or a coach hijacks you and your money on this part of your journey, there is a good chance that everything runs out in the sand. You may lose your motivation and forget the reason why you have given up on normal food or why you are hurting in the gym, and you will go back to your old behaviour, and your old you.
“What am I aiming for?” and “What is my goal?”
This part is tricky--because your goal can be anything. Looking like Arnold, doing a triathlon, mastering the handstand, or anything in between. There are many different goals--some that are objectively measurable, and some that have a more subjective nature to them. Whatever the case, you need to be honest with yourself. This is not the time to hold back on your hopes and dreams. Dream big and aim for the stars, and don’t shackle your dreams to your current physical or mental condition. Have the courage to aim high and dream big. If you want to do an Ironman--say it loud, and picture yourself as an Ironman finisher, how it will feel, how it will change your self-perception, and how it will change your appearance in the eye’s of others. In short, don’t hold back and don’t aim low in this part of the journey.
“How?” “What is my strategy?”
This is where we start to get realistic, and this is where a good coach or trainer really can make a difference. If you know where you are going, getting there is way easier. You have figured out what your goal is, now you need a strategy and a structure. Read relevant books, search for relevant information on YouTube or Redditt, or get a competent coach.
You need to make a sustainable strategy and training structure you can follow. If you have never done anything, and you want to finish an Ironman--you probably also need to consider what a reasonable timeframe is. For example, from couch to Ironman finisher--a three-year strategy is a good place to start. Whatever your goal is, define a reasonable timeframe and a sustainable weekly workload and frequency. It is way better to hold back in the start and be consistent over time. Consistency always trumps every other variable you can think of. Make a realistic plan with defined sub-goals and stick to it.
Execute, Eat, Sleep and Repeat
This is the easiest step to describe and the hardest to execute. Now you have to do the work. Build a habit of following your plan and try to identify with the person you are working on becoming. Feel proud and do the work. I can guarantee you that your motivation will disappear, you will probably get injured, and life will get in the way of your plans. But try to remember why you set out on this journey, why you left your comfort zone, and why you’re doing a hard thing that makes you feel uncomfortable. Remember your goal and remember that consistency is king
Get after it and good luck