I’ve been working on my fitness for the past 30 days and I’ve already lost 6.2 pounds. I’m pretty happy with my progress, even though I’m not exactly where I want to be just yet. It’s important to remember that everyone’s journey is unique, and comparing it to others online isn’t always fair. I’m hoping my story might inspire someone else to kickstart their own fitness goals. Take a peek at my before-and-after photos from the past month!
30 Day Weight Loss Transformation Before and After Photos
I showed my dad these before and after photos. “What were you pushing out your gut in the first one?!” I wasn’t haha.
Weight Loss Progress: Winning The Mental Game
When I first decided to begin losing weight on 8/13/2018, I was not in a good place mentally. I had actually just gotten back from traveling to Saint Petersburg, Russia. Beer here, beer there, beer every where. The flight, the stadium, the AirBNB’s, the flight back. I always had a beer in my hand. Heck, I even met up with a friend of mine in Venice Beach, California and we drank beer. I was drinking A LOT of beer.
It got to a point where I realized I was actually sedating myself. I’d become soo unhappy with my weight that the tiny voice of ‘that’s just how you are’ began to creep in. I quickly knocked that off and made a simple decision: I’m going to change my lifestyle and the byproduct will be a body I’m happy with.
I’m not sure if you need a why that will make you cry. I’m not Simon Sinek. This is not a TedTalk. What I do believe in are rituals. Super simple rituals. I read this book called The Compound Effect, and while I don’t exactly remember much of anything from it, I do know that small changes yield for big results. It’s all about the little things done consistently every single day. I had to make a decision to shift my way of living and so do you if you want to create lasting change.
Practical Advice: What Do You See, Feel and Hear?
This white board is what I see every single day. I used to write down lists of things I needed to do, clients to follow up with, or motivational quotes. I quickly realized that seeing things that needed to get done became over whelming and if I wanted to see quotes, I could scroll on Instagram for a few minutes and be “highly motivated” in a matter of minutes.
Just do it bro.
The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.
Do or do fucking not, motha fucka there is no try. – Yoda
Ok, Yoda didn’t actually cuss but you get the point.
Instead, what I did was write a series of questions. One morning while eating breakfast (I’ll share what I eat in another post) I was listening to some Tony Robbins. And he said something super simple that I’ve heard at least fifty times now––the quality of your life is determined by the quality of your questions. If you want a better life, ask better questions.
Sounds simple enough, right?
As you can see, on my white board, I changed it a bit and wrote in big orange lettering. “The questions you ask yourself will determine the course of your life.” Then surrounding that, I’ll write down empowering questions.
Here’s are the questions I look at every day:
- What are my standards?
- What would happen if you went for it?
- What do I need to do so that I enjoy the process?
- Am I practicing self-discipline in my life?
- What do you want and what are the rituals that will get you there?
- What would excite me?
- What are you willing to do and what are you willing to give up to be the best you can be?
- What would I do and live everyday even if I were failing?
- Where am I struggling and how can I change?
- Am I doing the things that I should do because I need to do them or am I waiting to feel the moment?
- What am I repeatedly doing? What are my daily habits? Are these progressing me or keeping me stagnant? What can I do differently?
- Where am I currently at and what are the rituals that have put me here?
- How perfectly can you lay each brick?
- What is the next chapter of my life?
Why These Questions Are Important
Visual reminders are powerful. At least to me they are. I enjoy seeing questions because they inspire mindfulness. Before I start my day, I take a look at the whiteboard. As I’m reading the questions, I’m also answering the questions as I move along to read the next question.
I guess you could say I’m re-programming my subconscious mind to think of these questions. I’ve often found myself randomly thinking of these questions throughout the day, longer after I’ve read them. It acts as a reminder that I’m in constant control of the decisions I make.
Get In Shape For The Right Reason(s)
If you’re going to get into shape because you hate yourself, you can for sure still get fit but you’ll fall off. You’ve gotta come from a place of love. The right intentions should be the foundation of why you’re doing what you’re doing.
Find A Routine And Stick With It
When I made the decision to get in shape, I made a lifestyle decision. I didn’t want to do a 30 day fitness challenge, 60 day fitness challenge, or 90 day challenge. For me that represents get fit quick. It’s unsustainable and doesn’t create lasting change.
So I made a decision to make a lifestyle change. Going to the gym a minimum of 4-days per week. Nothing more required and certainly nothing less. If I want to go an extra day, I’ll make it 5 days per week. But I don’t over exhaust myself. I’ve also created a mental contract with myself that when it’s time for vacation, it’s time for rest and indulgence.
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being consistent and committed to what you said you were going to do long after the feeling of doing it has left your body.
Have Fun and Take Baby Steps
How can you make working out more fun? For me personally, I put on hype ass music. Whatever gets you excited, listen to that! And remind yourself that it’s not about instant results. It’s about making progress. And remember, slow progress is better than no progress.
Trust The Process
There will be days you get on the scale for a weight in and your expectations will not be met. You may even gain a pound back. I know! What the fuck, right? How do you workout and stick to your meal plans and then gain weight?! ?
It doesn’t really matter because your vision must be long term. Imagine what it will feel like this time next year. What will your clothes feel like around your body? How will you feel walking down the street being in shape? Maybe you’re in a new relationship now or maybe your currently relationship has improved?
Whatever you do, trust the process and have fun.