Motivation - Key To Success
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Many people start on a workout programme because they're too fat (or skinny). This article here, which I think is highly representative of the majority of the people, hit the nail on the head. Plus, it's written by Tom Venuto, the creator of the weight-loss programme "Burn The Fat", so he knows what he's talking about.
I was guilty as well.
However, over the months I've come to realise that fitness isn't a 12-week programme, like the article says. I wanted to just "lose the fat" back in Sept 2007. I got patted on the tummy once too many times, and that was when I decided to lose it.
But, I've come to appreciate the fact being fit is a lifetime commitment. Eating healthy doesn't always mean bland-tasting food. Working out isn't always "taking too much time". It's a mindset. You need to change the whole MINDSET first and not to "go on a diet" like the article says. Why? Because if you "go on a diet", you'll come OFF it, like the story of the woman in the article. I do admire the woman in the story though - she had an iron will. She wanted to win that competition. That is the key - she had MOTIVATION.
I remember once, a friend asked me how come I have no "deadline". I told him, I know that once I put a deadline, I'll stop once I reach it. By not having a deadline, I am always on this journey to seek better fitness, and not come off it.
Does that mean I have no motivations? On the contrary. My motivation is to lose the tummy. I haven't completely lost it yet, but it's way smaller now. In the process of losing the tummy, I switched gears from "losing weight" as a goal, to "building muscles". The diet needed to be changed, of course. They way you eat to lose weight is very different from the way you eat to build muscles.
Friends, male and female, have been commenting on how small it has gotten now. New female friends (ie meeting me for the first time) say I don't look my age and they typically place my age 10 to 12 years younger than my actual. A couple of them even say I look "very fit" (which is actually far from the truth. I just happen to have the fats more or less in control, and fill the t-shirt out in the right places). To a true gym-goer, one look at my arms will tell him I still have a high bodyfat percentage.
6 months ago, at best the comments I'd get are "You're not too fat.. just a little bit plump". These comments I get nowadays are good for the ego, and the morale. THAT is my motivation, to keep getting these kinds of comments.
I really suggest reading the article. It has realistic tips and hints on how to remain fit and be on your "diet" without coming off it.
I was guilty as well.
However, over the months I've come to realise that fitness isn't a 12-week programme, like the article says. I wanted to just "lose the fat" back in Sept 2007. I got patted on the tummy once too many times, and that was when I decided to lose it.
But, I've come to appreciate the fact being fit is a lifetime commitment. Eating healthy doesn't always mean bland-tasting food. Working out isn't always "taking too much time". It's a mindset. You need to change the whole MINDSET first and not to "go on a diet" like the article says. Why? Because if you "go on a diet", you'll come OFF it, like the story of the woman in the article. I do admire the woman in the story though - she had an iron will. She wanted to win that competition. That is the key - she had MOTIVATION.
I remember once, a friend asked me how come I have no "deadline". I told him, I know that once I put a deadline, I'll stop once I reach it. By not having a deadline, I am always on this journey to seek better fitness, and not come off it.
Does that mean I have no motivations? On the contrary. My motivation is to lose the tummy. I haven't completely lost it yet, but it's way smaller now. In the process of losing the tummy, I switched gears from "losing weight" as a goal, to "building muscles". The diet needed to be changed, of course. They way you eat to lose weight is very different from the way you eat to build muscles.
Friends, male and female, have been commenting on how small it has gotten now. New female friends (ie meeting me for the first time) say I don't look my age and they typically place my age 10 to 12 years younger than my actual. A couple of them even say I look "very fit" (which is actually far from the truth. I just happen to have the fats more or less in control, and fill the t-shirt out in the right places). To a true gym-goer, one look at my arms will tell him I still have a high bodyfat percentage.
6 months ago, at best the comments I'd get are "You're not too fat.. just a little bit plump". These comments I get nowadays are good for the ego, and the morale. THAT is my motivation, to keep getting these kinds of comments.
I really suggest reading the article. It has realistic tips and hints on how to remain fit and be on your "diet" without coming off it.
Labels: motivation
3 Comments:
gers put me 15 years younger, I'm glad I still got some years left
commented by 
Buny, April 12, 2008 6:29 PM
Buny, April 12, 2008 6:29 PM
I totally agree that there should not be a deadline and that being fit should not be all about eating tasteless foods.
Hey it's really great what you are doing,keep up the positive attitude.
Hey it's really great what you are doing,keep up the positive attitude.
ironicgamer - you have a natural gift , because you DO look like a teenager, or a very early-20's kinda look.
Jade - yeah although I do not have an iron will like the lady in the article, I still try not to go off course too much.. :)
Jade - yeah although I do not have an iron will like the lady in the article, I still try not to go off course too much.. :)
