Two-Step Process To Reach Your Fitness Goals – Accountability & Determination
Want to lose weight? Build muscle? Those are obviously two of the most common goals and constant focuses there are in the fitness industry. Usually, most people want to lose weight. Some have achieved their goal. Some have not. Why not? Losing weight is actually simple. Well, it’s simple … but it’s not easy.
If it were easy there wouldn’t be so many diet’s on the market. But then again, the reason that there are so many diets on the market is because it really can be simple. So how can you almost guarantee that you lose weight (or gain muscle)?
Does the picture kinda’ give away where we’re going with this? I think so. But stick with me.
You can lose weight by taking many different approaches.
Here are a few of the popular ones:
- track your macros
- eat less carbs
- cut back on fat
- eat less calories
Some approaches no doubt work better for some individuals but you can believe that each approach has worked. These methods wouldn’t be popular if nobody got results.
So what really matters? What is going to make or your break your efforts? It all comes down to how determined you are to succeed. That is really the only critical aspect.
If you go into your weight loss or muscle gaining efforts at 50% you are not going to make it. You just won’t. In order to lose weight (or any other valid goal) you have to stick with it. You cannot give up. You cannot take it lightly.
And if you are going to, this time has got to be the time! You cannot quit after you’ve started.
Every time that you tell yourself that you are going to lose weight and you fail to do so you are teaching yourself to fail. The worst part – you’re going to get even better at failing. That’s what you’re learning to do.
So if you want to lose weight — and you tell yourself that you are going to — you better not quite. You better do it!
You cannot lie to yourself. If you do you will stop believing in yourself. In fact, the more times you fail (give up) the harder it’s going to get. You may even start to think it’s impossible because you’ve tried so many times before.
Bottom line though, once you start, it doesn’t matter how long it takes. As long as you don’t give up, you haven’t failed … I know, I wish I had one of those cool slogans to insert like “you only fail when you stop trying” or something like that, but I don’t. I think you get the point though …
Make a choice. Follow through. No matter what.
Two Step Process to Reaching Your Fitness Goals
So here’s a simple two step process to forcing yourself to get results. But remember, you can’t look back once you start. You can’t start over. No, it’s not going to be easy. Simple, but not easy.
In order to guarantee that you lose weight you need to set yourself up for failure success from the beginning. So, here we go …
Step #1 – Make yourself accountable
This one is interesting. Somewhere I’ve read that you should not announce that you are going to lose weight. I disagree. I think the person who wrote that has made that announcement in the past only to quit …
He felt embarrassed and didn’t like that feeling. Exactly!
A while back I started a separate blog to test out a workout (I do this with every product I talk about – test it). Actually, I started the blog for a few reasons.
- To see how effective the workout was.
- To make sure I gave it my best effort.
- To let others see if it worked.
- To hold myself accountable.
By starting the blog I was committed. I couldn’t back out. I took pictures, recorded my progress and dated everything as I went. Quitting was not an option. I said I was going to do it. I did it.
Being held accountable works. It’s scary and a little uncomfortable, but it works. It’s always on your mind. When you know that others are watching, you elevate your game. You know they’re going to ask you how you’re doing.
So how should you go about doing this?
- Tell people
Start a blog, post a comment below, tell your spouse, tell friends. - Track your progress
Post pictures on Facebook, on your mirror, in your car. - Know the end result
Write down where you are at now and write down where you want to be are going to be.
Step #2 – Just do it (totally stolen from Nike)
An awesome slogan for sure.
Your (negative) mindset is the biggest obstacle you’ve got to face. If you are constantly telling yourself that you can’t do it, won’t do it, don’t want to do it – then you will not succeed. If you constantly think about how difficult or far off your end results are, you’re doomed.
You’ve got to train your mind. It sounds a bit cheesy but you’ve got to think positive.
You may need to change your reasoning and view towards the process.
For example, if you’re mind naturally leans towards thoughts something like …
“Uhg, this food is getting so boring. I wish I could demolish an entire pizza, cheesecake and keg of beer right now”
… then you’ve got to stop those thoughts. You need to change your thinking. If you don’t, the process will be miserable. Yes, you can eat loosely from time to time, in fact, you should. But when it’s “go time” it’s go time!
So instead … don’t think … just do it.
The second you start wavering picture yourself where you want to be are going to be.
Be determined to stick with it. Dig deep.
Tell yourself, that this boring nutritious food is what is going to get you there.
Get excited about it and view it as what it is – an opportunity. Remind yourself, you actually do want to do this.
Eric - A Fit Physique
September 20, 2012 @ 10:21 am
Hey Kevin!
Great article! I agree; accountability is probably the #1 factor that can keep people motivated. While I get tired of seeing people’s runs automatically posted to Facebook by their apps, it’s great to know that they have to keep pushing themselves b/c they have that accountability online.
Kevin
September 25, 2012 @ 9:35 pm
Yeah, they get a little annoying but I think we “learn” to just scroll through those anyway. 😉 They are good for the guy posting them though.
Colin
September 20, 2012 @ 12:40 pm
Kevin,
Love your website, not sure how I stumbled upon it but I’ve read some of your articles and have been implementing Eat-Stop-Eat as well as your 3 sets of 5 reps for more strength and definition for 2 weeks and I’m already seeing results. I hope all is well on your end and thanks for helping me stay motivated!
Best,
Colin
Kevin
September 25, 2012 @ 9:33 pm
Hey Colin,
That’s VERY awesome, glad you’re seeing results … and thank you for keeping me motivated by leaving a (great) comment!
Darren - Lean Body Fitness Tips
September 20, 2012 @ 4:16 pm
Great post Kevin. I also found that keeping people posted with my results really helped with my transformation. Scheduling workouts is also a great strategy as it helps to keep on track with your workouts. I’m actually thinking about doing another transformation with some muscle building and getting the abs I never had. If only my body would co-operate with me. Your blog is also inspiring me to strive to make mine better.
Kevin
September 25, 2012 @ 9:37 pm
Thanks Darren! I know I certainly draw motivation from other fitness blogs too.
I hope you kill it with the muscle building and get those abs!
What workout are you thinking about following?
Darren - Lean Body Fitness Tips
September 28, 2012 @ 7:48 am
Hey Kevin..
I’m back to the gym now (instead of working out at home). Going to be going through the Visual Impact Muscle Building and adding in the VIC as my cardio for the program.
Had a six pack from last transformation but only in good light. Gotta do this before the back and shoulders give out… 🙂
Kevin
September 30, 2012 @ 3:09 pm
Very cool Darren, you aught to get some killer results!
Cody
September 28, 2012 @ 7:18 pm
Here goes nothing—> http://codywieler.wordpress.com/ ! Thanks for the inspiration, both through this post as well as your VIC review. Starting the transformation tomorrow. Can’t wait to see the results!
Kevin
September 30, 2012 @ 3:08 pm
Right on Cody, you rock dude! No backing out now 🙂
RudigerVT
November 7, 2012 @ 6:06 pm
Kevin, long(ish)-time lurker(ish). Golly, I like your style. So I clicked the link to your separate blog and the full-color photos were impressive, but…they’re full color!
Thanks for all the great work and inspiration. Right now, I’m re-habbing a hiking injury (I’m clumsy) and trying to get some worsening GERD symptoms under control. So it’s all very monastic. But your work’s a good inspiration.
LPR
Kevin
November 15, 2012 @ 2:37 pm
Thanks man, I hope you heal up soon!