by Matt Robinson | Jul 8, 2013 | General, Journal
I’ve taken a few weeks away to evaluate my progress and decide what I’ll be focusing on on next. I’m not gonna lie – it’s been very easy to be away and I’ve gained some weight in the process.
I’ve learned that unless things are a part of what you’ll do every day, you probably won’t continue to do them when push comes to shove.
I’ve learned that adding more and more just becomes overwhelming. I thought I could handle a LOT (and I probably can…) but at some point you have to focus on a few little things and get them right before moving on!
I’ve learned that for me to remain focused, I have to do something that keeps my interest. I don’t think I’m alone in this. Whether it’s food, exercise, entertainment – if you don’t enjoy it…you won’t continue it. For example, I don’t like salad! That means, I have to find other ways of eating salad until I find something I like. I have to ask myself, “what is it about salad that I don’t like”. Once I find the answer, I make adjustments and keep going!
I’ve learned that I need to easier on myself. I know that I’ve said this before, but I didn’t gain the weight in a day – it won’t come off in a day.
I’ve learned that I need to be harder on myself. Seems like a contradiction, but in areas where I have to do things I don’t enjoy – I need to put excuses aside and learn to just do it! Exercise is a great example of this. I ENJOY the feeling after completing an exercise…but starting for me is a nightmare! I have to really buckle down and get to work on moving more!
Finally, I’ve learned to enjoy this process. This journey for me is about analyzing and re-adjusting. So I’ve joined an online weight loss site called dietbet.com – I’ve committed money to losing 4% of my body weight in the next 4 weeks. And if I hit my goal, there could be some money in it for me! (Clothing money…cause I’m gonna need it!)
Thank you again for all the support! I really appreciate each of you that read these posts and comment! Be sure to check out the challengers page – there are some updates there and a new challenger!
by Matt Robinson | May 10, 2013 | Inspiration
Watch this video when you feel like giving up. Some people have a legitimate excuse to give up. When they don’t? It means OUR excuses are gone too! Never Give Up.
[youtube]http://youtu.be/kZlXWp6vFdE[/youtube]
by Matt Robinson | Apr 29, 2013 | Journal
The easiest way for me to deal with food during the week is to make large batches ahead of time. Obviously this isn’t the only food I’ll be eating this week but this takes the longest for me to prep. I’m actually getting used to the taste and not craving junk food as much. Again, I’m taking things slow – but to me, prepping for the week ahead saves me!
Let me know what you think. Comment below and leave ideas for some great bulk cooking ideas!
2-3 days of chicken and 1 1/2 days of rice!
by Matt Robinson | Apr 19, 2013 | Journal
I really like to cook. So finding new ways to make good meals isn’t very hard for me. Here’s a lunch I threw together today. Hope you like it! Let me know if you try it! (You’ll need to get the recipe from MyFitnessPal page!)
383 Cal // 44g Carbs // 8g Fat // 31g Protein // 5g Fibre
by Matt Robinson | Apr 17, 2013 | General, Lessons, Motivation, Triumphs
Losing weight is all in your head.
I’ve read a lot of articles and watched many videos about how to lose weight. I’ve tried almost every type of diet from Atkins and Weight Watchers to eating massive quantities of cabbage soup and rice cakes. I’ve tried counting calories. I’ve tried NOT counting calories. Each approach has had it’s merits, but of those attempts ended in failure for me.
Then it clicked.
It was all in my head.
I looked at my state of mind before each attempt and tried to isolate that feeling; that motivation to keep myself going. I also had to look at what ultimately led me to failure. My conclusion was simple: losing weight began and ended in my mind.
“The man who thinks he can and the man who thinks he can’t are both right!”
Henry Ford
It’s easy for someone to say they’ve ‘figured out’ how to do something but more often than not, what the person has discovered is something that has worked ‘for THEM‘. All of the methods I’ve mentioned have their pros and cons. You can take something from each one of them. And keep in mind that there are some very sound principles to learn that will help you lose weight. (I’ll share these in future posts!)
But at the end of the day, losing weight is formed and determined in your mind FIRST! You have to DECIDE that you want to change. You MUST discover your reason WHY – without it, getting through the difficulties that WILL come is going to seem impossible. I say seem because nothing is really impossible if you put your mind to it.
You may have heard about the following story. Before 1954 if you had asked anyone if it was possible for a human to run one mile in less than four minutes you would have been laughed at! In fact, there was ‘scientific evidence‘ that the human body could never handle that kind strain.
That is, until Roger Bannister broke the four minute barrier on May 6th 1954. It took all of recorded history for someone to break this barrier – and 2 months later, it was broken again. Today, it has been broken THOUSANDS of times. What was once considered impossible, became possible because of people who refused to limit themselves.
That may seem like an extreme example, but the principle remains. If you want to lose weight, you must first decide that you CAN do it. If you firmly believe this, your body will become a servant to your mind and the transformation WILL take place.
For the past three days I’ve been fighting the worst ear ache I’ve ever had. I’ve been to the doctor and been told to ‘tough’ it out. In the past this advice would have had me stopping my weight loss efforts until I’m better.
But not this time! This time I’ve decided that I CAN continue even through the pain. I CAN still exercise. I CAN eat better. I CAN drink more water. This little battle has been waged and WON in my mind…and my body has followed along!
You don’t need designer clothes, designer programs, designer gyms or designer foods to change your body. You simply need to design your thinking to adapt to whatever you face.
Take it one day at a time. One hour at a time. One MOMENT at a time and decide for yourself that THIS WILL HAPPEN. Your body will follow along!
I’d love for you to get connected with those of us challenging ourselves to live better. Why not Join the 100lb Challenge? Decide in your mind and then work with those of us who are doing the same. Together we can build a strong, solid, life-long foundation of health and success!
photo credit: xopherlance via photopin cc
