A lot of people like to ask me questions like “What do you eat to be so fit?” Or “What should I eat to lose weight?” I simply answer by saying, “I eat the things you know you should be eating.” My answer is so simple that it always stops the person dead in their tracks. They know what they should eat yet they don’t do it. Why?
The biggest challenge I feel people face is that they do not know who they are or who they truly want to become. They see models and want to be like models, they see athletes and want to be like athletes. If you want a beach volleyball players body then eat and train like a beach volleyball player!
What separates you from the best body you ever had? Consistency. Not the typical consistency like workout 4x a week and run 3 miles every other day consistency. By consistency I mean, every human being shares the same inner desire and need to be consistent with their own identity. If you identify yourself as clumsy, you will fall and trip more than the next person. If you identify yourself as overweight, you’re more likely holding a remote in your hand than a dumbbell. If you identify yourself as fit, you probably read this site often! Bottom line, your brain yearns to remain consistent with your own self identity. For example, if you identify yourself as being fit, all of your decisions will be filtered by a “fit” lens. Fried chicken or grilled chicken? French fries or baked potato? Watch a movie or go for a hike? Go clubbing or take a yoga class? Wine or water? For someone who is fit these choices are simple. For someone who is not sure, these choices weigh heavily and take tremendous amounts of effort to decide and slowly take a toll on your will power.
The trouble happens when your will power is low and you’re consistency is tested. Its Friday, you’ve had a long week at the office, your boss just made you work 2 hours of overtime. It’s late, your tired, and the same options are in front of you. Fried chicken or grilled chicken? French fries or asparagus? Watch a movie or go for a walk? Go clubbing or take a yoga class? Wine or water? Stay strong or crumble to pieces?
Most people fall apart and in an effort to remain consistent they rationalize. It’s your own way of tricking yourself and is your own worst nightmare. “I eat almost perfect all week, I deserve to eat whatever I want on the weekend.” “I workout everyday, I can eat whatever I want.”
Are you consistent? Does this sound like you or someone you know? Do you rationalize?
Be true. Stay strong.
Get better everyday.
Tommy Lam
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