When we are doing things for ourselves there is no one there telling us we “have” to get It done.
In a fitness program you are relying on yourself to not only do the work but to make yourself get up and get It done. As we all know, staying the course is the hardest part, even more so than the effort.
You are the boss.
You decide how hard you work.
You decide when you exercise.
You decide what program to follow.
All these things fall on your shoulders.
There are two things I like to do in this situation:
1.) Sign a contract
2.) Put some skin in the game
Write up a contract for yourself (with realistic terms) that lays out the things you are expected to get done each week and your goals along the way. Think of it like buying a car–> Your goals are the total price of the car. The monthly payments are the things you need to do to chip away at that loan.
So create your terms, the things that you are going to do to chip away at your end goal. Maybe you want yourself to get to the gym 2x per week and take 2 walks. On top of that, maybe you want to take out the few glasses of wine with dinner during the weekdays. Perfect, write everything in there clear as day.
Make the terms specific.
Put your terms together, write It in your contract, and sign that you WILL get those things done. Hang the signed contract up somewhere that you will see It every single day–> next to your bed, on your fridge, near the couch.
A contract is a great way to put your “promise” to yourself out in the open. Can you follow your word and do the work that you said you would do? I sure hope so. But having some skin in the game adds that little extra push to want to get things done.
So put some money down, hire a coach, buy a program, join a gym. Having that monetary investment along the journey keeps you honest. Knowing that the money you work hard for during the week is benefitting you day in and day out.
In good health,
Jeff
