There have been many times in life where I found myself stuck in quicksand. Be it stuffing my face over thanksgiving and starting another 30-day nutrition challenge…again.
Or noticing my changes in the gym started to disappear, so I sought out another program. Feeling like no matter what I did, I always seemed like I was taking two steps back.
Have you felt this before? Are you feeling this now?
These cycles of feeling stuck and not happy with my current progress tend to linger for AWHILE.
In my case, trying to sustain a fitness program based on facts (“exercise lowers blood pressure, prevents type II diabetes…”) or looking good naked (“beach season”) had not worked.
Success leaves clues
I decided this time when coming up with a new fitness program that would hopefully overturn years of inconsistent attention to fitness, I would find the clues to success in a handful of experiences.
Here are three examples…
Over the last five months, I’ve sustained a regular exercise habit with Maureen, my wife. She had approached me after baby number three to support her by exercising with her. One day a week we hike, another we lift weights, and finally the third day of the week we do some high-intensity training. Most weeks we get a fourth day in as well of mobility and an ice bath. I took part in this weekly regiment, not to lose weight, but to support my wife.
During this same time period, I joined a sport that meets 2-3 times a week. It’s a high skill sport, which means for me there is a lot to learn, which is very rewarding. The combination of learning and spending time with others who are learning as well is very motivating. So much so that I wake up at 5:00 am to learn and spend time with like-minded individuals. Did I mention it is a lot of fun?
As a father of three, with a newborn, it has now more than ever become important not only to lead by example but to be in a state of fitness that can support the wants and needs of my family. After the birth of our third child, I lost the 15lbs I gained within 6 months.
So, from these experiences, I learned that I can sustain a fitness-oriented lifestyle under two conditions: I will work towards a functional goal as long as I’m learning (getting fitter has been a byproduct of consistency due to learning) and I will do it to support people (being there for my wife and for my kids).
Your Journey
Now it’s time for you to do a deep dive of what has worked for you in the past, what can you discover about how to set the stage for success with your goals?
What did you find? I want to know…
Comment below!
