Stepping on toes is one way to motivate people

July 7, 2007 · Posted in Choices, Goals, Motivation

O.K. It was bound to happen. I’ve stepped on someone’s toes. What I did not expect however, is that it would be my toes. In my last post (The two choices that you make each day that determine your destiny) I wrote that:

You must take responsibility for your life
You must launch today

I don’t have a problem with number 1, which is why I have a problem with number 2. Let me try to explain.

I am 45 years old and have been highly active all my life – sports when I was in school and weight lifting/bodybuilding and jogging until the last year. About this time last year I began to slack off. I justified it by saying:

Hey, your 44 and in better shape that 90% of the people out there
Hey Chris, you’ve had three orthopedic surgeries (shoulder, knee and hand) in the last 10 years, you deserve a break
It’s an opportunity to rejuvenate

So, I began to slack off. I went from working out 4–5 times a week to working out 1–2 times a week. Then in October of last year, I quit altogether (my justification – with all the projects that I’ve got going on, I just can’t spare the time).

The results? Well, I have not gained body weight, but my body composition has changed considerably. At 5’9”, a body weight of 200 pounds does not look too bad if you have a muscular physique. However, if you weigh 200 pounds at that height and don’t work out, you begin to look a little dumpy.

Right now, I feel dumpy. My 32 inch waist pants no longer fit without help. I don’t like it.

1. I take responsibility for my life!

I have two beautiful little girls, ages 6 and 4, who deserve a healthy and active daddy
I have a baby on the way ( remember my Father’s Day post? )
I have a beautiful wife who is 14 years younger than me and deserves to have me around to help her
I have responsibilities to my business partners

These (above) are just some of the reasons that I feel that it is important for me to be healthy and active. I cannot state enough the need and benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

Longer life
Healthier life
Better quality of life

2. I will launch today!

If you don’t do what you preach, then you have no credibility! Can I get an AMEN? Here is my commitment:

I will lose 30 lbs
I will weigh 170 lbs
I will accomplish my goal by October 20, 2007 (15 weeks)
I will post a short progress report at least once a week to show you that I keep my commitments

Please notice: