Blubber To Runner

No, I’m not begging some chick to hang out w/ me so I’m not the 5th wheel at a social outing I need to attend.  This is the answer to a very simple question – and the question I probably get asked more than any other:

“How do you do it… how do you stay motivated?”

Losing weight and getting in shape is not easy… we all know that if it was we’d be a world of David and Victoria Beckhams just hanging out and being skinny with 0% body fat.  It’s tough, and sometimes you really need to dig deep to remind yourself just how tough it is.

When I first started this back in 2010, I did really well for a while – then fell flat on my face b/c I got complacent… which ultimately resulted in me being in even WORSE shape than I was to begin with.  I was lost, I didn’t know what to do and I was searching for someone to tell me something – ANYTHING – that would sink in and convince me to get back on the horse again.  And I found it:

‘Just show up.’

Take a second and say those 3 words, and then think about anything and everything you do that’s important to you.  The 1 constant that ALWAYS exists with those situations is simple – you show up.  Whether it’s simply ‘appointment TV’, your job, the bar after work, time with your significant other.  Now, there is not ‘one thing’ that’s more important than anything else – it can really be anything – but it’s simply what’s important to you.  And not just physically… you’re emotionally present in the moment as well.  You’re invested.  Nothing else matters after that point, but you were able to push anything and everything out of the way and ‘just show up’ to be where you wanted to be when you wanted to be there.

There’s a lot of ways to look at that phrase but, for blog purposes, I’m strictly looking at it from my perspective regarding this experience:

*  PHYSICALLY – No on ever regrets doing workout during or after they’ve done it.  Most people regret skipping a workout if they had one scheduled and bailed on it.  It’s really that simple.

*  MENTALLY – Know that, deep down, the feeling of not wanting to go will go away once you’re at the gym/ park/ track

*  RESPECTFULLY – Plain and simple: You commit to it, commit to it. Unless something completely uncontrollable happens (I mean that literally too), be where you’re supposed to be when you supposed to be there.  This may or may not apply here, but it’s a pet peeve of mine so I included it.

The biggest problem people tell me they have when it comes to (not) working out is time – “I just don’t have time to work out for 30 minutes every day.”  Well, I hate to break it to you… you do.  The REAL problem is that you don’t WANT to have time to do it yet, regardless of the words coming outta your mouth.  Just like anything else, if you want it bad enough you will MAKE the time to do it.

In my opinion, the easiest way and most consistent way to get it in is, by far, before you normally wake up – ESPECIALLY this time of year.  Just wake up 45 minutes earlier – I KNOW… “Blashphemy!”  But again… if you want it bad enough, you make the time.  If this means you go to bed earlier, which means missing a show you like or not going to that extended Happy Hour then so be it.  This will show you what’s more important in your life at this point – getting fit, watching Dance Moms or Vodka.  All you really have to do is just change your mentality to one that’s accepting of the facts – you are super happy you’re waking up at 5 instead of 6 so you can throw on your sneakers and knock out a 30 minute walk.  BE HAPPY ABOUT IT.  There are obviously other ways (after school/ work, lunch breaks, before bed, etc.) but from a consistency standpoint I feel waking up earlier gives you the most control and ability to manage the time needed to get the work out in.

I’m gonna put this out there – if you think you have a reason of why you don’t have the time to work out… I wanna hear it.  I can guarantee you that it’s not a reason… just an excuse.  I know working moms w/ 3 kids under 6 years old that run marathons.  I know dudes working 12 hour shifts with 2 hour commutes each way to work that list ‘bodybuilding’ as a hobby.  I’m not criticizing how busy you might actually be – quite the contrary actually – I’m just trying to show you that you CAN make the time if getting in shape is really important to you.

And you can do it if you:

(Oh, yeah… totally put it on a T-shirt. Click HERE if you want one too!)

** PS: I’m officially ON FACEBOOK!  Well… the blog is I mean.  I made a fan page so it’s easier for me to share stuff and not annoy people I’m friends with that aren’t interested in the blog with constant posts about it.  This way, if you choose to ‘Like’ the page, you’re asking to be annoyed!  🙂  So anyway, give the page a like and say ‘Hello!’… don’t be afraid, I won’t bite.  Unlike some people I know. **