Fit for Life: Even on Vacation & My Birthday
Fit for Life: Do You Even Care?
Fit for Life: Even on Vacation & My Birthday
"Look at what everyone else is doing, then do the opposite."
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Although this doesn't hold weight with everything in life, it does for many different things.
In business, when everyone expects a slow time like July and that week between Christmas and New Years, most people let off the gas and pump the brakes. They slow down, relax, and regress like everyone else.
Instead, I have been coached to market more, work harder, and separate myself from the pack. We call these times of year "separation season," as it becomes easier to do so when others hold back.
I like being an anomaly, doing things others won't do, and avoiding the common traits that the masses regularly exhibit.
Two examples of this happened last week: I went on vacation and celebrated another birthday the day after I got home.
A few weeks before vacation, I had a body scan or a body fat analysis. It was close to where I wanted to be, so I set a goal of accomplishing 10% body fat by my birthday on September 9th. I had a few weeks, so it was attainable.
I also had a vacation in Aruba planned the week before my birthday, so an obstacle presented itself between me and my goal. Therefore, I had to program myself to not fail, even under the circumstances.
Here is where you can be different from everyone who goes on "vacation."
When most people go on vacation, they "vacate" their lives completely. They sleep in, don't work out, drink heavily, eat whatever is available, and unplug from their everyday responsibilities.
Personally, I do like to sleep just a little later, but I still get my workouts in, drink adequate water, and follow my nutrition plan within reason. I use vacations as a time to reset and recharge, not ruin or regress my health and fitness.
I also work, but only for limited hours, to keep up with things and avoid falling behind. I like what I do, so it's not an issue.
Because I had a goal in mind, I had zero alcohol, hit 6 intense workouts, avoided my daily Pastechi (an Aruba specialty that I love, but only had one), and stayed dialed in on getting my protein while avoiding sugar altogether.
Even with all that, I failed to hit my goal. However, I am closer than I would've been if I had done what folks "traditionally" do on vacation. Now, I am traveling again, but I want that 10% goal and am focusing with a vengeance on hitting it.
Monday was my birthday, and I heard a few comments from folks telling me to relax a bit, have some cake, and have a few drinks. I did neither, as I believe that special occasions are not a good reason to do things that don't improve overall health.
Instead, my mother took me to Greggs, and I had salmon, and my girlfriend took me to dinner, where I had a plain burger and a side of Cole slaw. I woke the next day feeling grateful I didn't indulge in sweets and alcohol. I was energized!!
Vacations, birthdays, holidays—it doesn't matter. We need to be on all the time if we want to maintain what we work so hard for all the other days during the year.
Most people fall off during these times, so I like to do the opposite, and it feels good doing so. If I would have had a few drinks and eaten crap, I would have woken foggy, bloated, and lethargic, and I hate feeling that way, so I avoid it at all cost.
I was at Whole Foods on Wednesday, and a client and a stranger complimented me while I was standing in line at the prepared food counter. I left there feeling like a million bucks, and it assured me that I made the right decisions on both my vacation and my birthday.
To me, that's worth the price of sacrifice and discipline over the five-second reward we feel like we are getting from stuffing birthday cake in our mouths.
I am telling you all this not to impress you but to impress upon you that just because everyone else does it doesn't mean we need to conform to the masses.
Of our entire population, only 17% actually belong to a gym, and 65% of people will be out of shape or obese over the next year. Are these statistics you want to be part of?
If not, it's time to take control of your life and focus on living quality years and achieving longevity ALL THE TIME!!
Fitness morphs beyond the physical feelings or dopamine we get from working out.
We get emotional and mental strength as a by-product, as I was emotionally drained this past few weeks with the passing of my grandmother. However, I could stay focused and dialed into what was important to me.
We also build our self-confidence when we go through a tough time and do not let it dictate our physical and emotional demise. This gives us the resiliency to fight through many of the adversities we face on a daily basis.
So I leave you with this: Don't subscribe to what "everyone else is doing" just because it's acceptable to the majority.
When you go on vacation, it's okay to let loose and enjoy yourself without drinking and getting plastered every night, as well as eating desserts and ice cream at every meal.
The same goes for birthdays and holidays. Cheat a little, but be proactive and think ahead of the repercussions you will face if you let yourself entirely fall off.
Trust me on this.
It's worth it to express a few minutes of discipline than a full day of regret when you wake up feeling hungover, tired, bloated, and lethargic. Besides feeling good physically, you will benefit mentally and emotionally from all the compliments you get when you stay true to yourself and your routine.
Coach Matt