Hi San Antonio,
We all have points in our lives that we look back on and draw inspiration from. I feel that I’ve had a decent run here on this planet, and have while my life hasn’t always been rosey, it has been filled with exciting moments: the birth of my son (far away the greatest day of my life, I delivered him), receiving the USAF Airman’s Medal from congress, finishing college (a few times), and opening my business are times that I reflect on and remember how I felt on those days when things aren’t going so well or when I need a little extra pick me up.
Fitness is no different – everyone goes through low times when they can’t muster up motivation, get discouraged, and just don’t want to do cardio, lift or eat another chicken breast (most people know that I personally hate chicken). You have to find things that make you remember that the commitment is worth it. Of course, we all know the benefits of exercise and that you’ll not only live longer (if your personal trainer doesn’t kill you in the process) but you’ll also live better. All of that goes without saying. Most of the time, the biggest problems are the smallest things – doing today’s workout, eating the next healthy meal, skipping a night out drinking. We’ve all faced these challenges.
A point in my “fitness” life that sticks out happened about 9 years ago – I was keeping my dietary discipline, but I had gone through a phase of trying to gain muscle and had been eating a bit looser than is required to stay lean, and had been back on the really clean eating wagon for only a few weeks. My office had just celebrated a quarter like no other – 15-20 hour days had paid off and we were able to reach an impossible goal. To celebrate, our manager was going to take us out to one of the most amazing pizza places I had ever eaten at – pizza and beer would all be on her tab… Problem was that I had committed to myself that I wasn’t going to break my diet. Saturday was my cheat day, and this was Monday, and I fully intended on working out after the luncheon. I had to be prepared. I knew there was a salad bar, so I brought a packet of tuna along with me and mixed my own tuna salad: eggs, lettuce and tuna!
During the luncheon, I was, well, crucified! People taunted me, reminding me how amazing the pizza was. Our boss reminded me that he had the tab, and I should order whatever I wanted. My co-workers had their families with them and more than one person asked me “are you on a diet?” and made comments that I was “already skinny”.
I don’t use the term diet because I don’t diet. I eat. It’s my lifestyle. So, I just basically smiled and said “Nah, I just don’t want pizza.” Trust me, it wasn’t easy. On the way out of the pizza place, a co-worker that I hadn’t spoken a whole lot to in the past stopped me and told me “I’m really impressed by your discipline. I wish I could do that.” That still rings in my head today and it still motivates me.
I know that people are watching me. I realize that my friends look to me for motivation when it comes to helping them. If they see me order a cheeseburger, then it must be alright, yeah? I like that responsibility. I like the expectations. I like being at dinner and running into a client and seeing how they look at my plate. I simply practice what I preach!
A few years ago, I had a friend that was working out as hard and was as motivated as anyone I had ever seen. He was beginning from scratch, but I felt like he was making amazing progress, and he was logging it on an internet message board. In confidence, he told me that he was getting discouraged. Yes, he could see progress and was feeling better, but felt like it wasn’t fast enough. That’s when I gave him this simple advice:
“You may not be exactly where you want to be yet, but there is someone watching you that wants to be where you are now…”
Remember that – lead by example!
Boyd Myers
San Antonio Personal Trainer
16613 Huebner Road
San Antonio, TX
210.391.1454
