To think about your life is to create it. You have to take ownership of where you are right now and know where you want to go before you can get there. Keep collecting evidence for your success. You can believe it, and you can be it. - Ali Vincent
Gaining weight crept up on me. It was a mixture of poor eating habits, a lack of self worth, a pinch of teenage transition to college, and a lack of exercise. What I realized was that I had grown complacent in many areas of my life and I often would just state that I was ‘too busy’ with school to fit in a workout. I simply didn’t care enough about how my actions affect others.
Taking the Reins
It was late 2006 I realized that I was in a really bad spot. I was halfway through my freshman year in college and I wasn’t able to keep up with my friends playing pickup games of football. I had no drive to do anything other than eat and play video games. I realized that I wasn’t going to be happier by letting life pass me by. I was working nights at the hospital in patient transport and the wear and tear of sleeping in the middle of the day definitely didn’t help my physique either.
Late in the fall of my freshman year I hit an all time low. I was under slept, working myself inside out between school and shift work. Frustrated with life at home - I sublet a friends apartment and moved out late fall. This was true independence and despite making it from pay check to paycheck with single digits on pay day - I managed. I remember the day I decided it was time to change. I had been watching documentaries on Netflix about the treatment of animals and it changed how I looked at food. I took a personal vow that from that day forward - I would strive to make a change.
Transitioning to a plant based diet
The first thing I did was cut out red meat around the time I was moving out of my grandfather’s house. Upon further research, I looked at the poultry industry and decided that after about month it was no red meat or chicken. By the time I moved in my last box - I was no meat, fish, or chicken.
It was the first domino into what would help me go from 218 lbs to my current weight of 140 lbs - nearly 80 lbs, a 1/3 of my body weight. It wasn’t until the summer that I would fully commit myself to exercise. I had spent my early years wrestling, cutting weight, and feasting in the off season that my understanding of portions, quality foods, and exercise were completely out of whack. I went from practicing nearly 3 hours a day in high school to a completely sedentary lifestyle. I didn’t set myself up for success with the work schedule, a poor diet, and a lack of education on healthy choices. On January 1st, 2007 I decided that I was no longer going to eat meat or meat products. It’s been 11 years since I consciously chose meat and I’m extremely diligent about it - I have not broken my vegetarianism in 11 years.
As my body adapted to the diet, I started realizing that diet alone wasn’t going to be enough for me to hit my goal. I needed to start working out, and honestly the hardest part was starting. I was so uncomfortable with my body that I started working out in what I knew - sweatshirt and sweatpants. It was so hot! I would bear it because I was ashamed of my jiggly man-boobs and flabby tummy. After I lost about 20 pounds, I realized that it was silly - I’m here to get better and I wasn’t going to let something silly like a little extra fluff get in the way of my comfort.
Taking Ownership
Sitting down for meals with my family was hard at first because everyone suddenly forgot how to cook vegetables. It was as if my diet became an inconvenience. I definitely took a beating a few times at the table. It was a choice that was met with opposition and I had to stick to my guns. ‘So you’re going to just eat vegetables now? How will you get protein?’ - instead of arguing - I just answered ‘ I guess we’ll find out.’ It was easier to redirect than educate, something I regret looking back.
Points on Ownership
A few thoughts on how to commit to taking ownership of You, Your Life, Your Goal.
Believe in yourself
You have to put yourself first and make it happen for YOU. Fail, get up, and try again. You will learn in the process!
Own the Process
Own your accomplishments and mistakes. If you fail, own it - if you succeed, celebrate. Just know that you grow with both.
Educate yourself
Become a student in your success. Take an active role. Know the ins and outs of your goal and how to get where you want to go.
Consult an expert
This is a fast track to your success. As a coach, I have a coach - there is value in education, experience, and the value professionals bring. Prepare to pay for coaching - a good coach is worth the dollars
Keep your goal in mind
When we get frustrated it’s easy to give up. Remember your WHY. Know why you started and remember where you want to go.
Set yourself up for success
Mindset and environment are everything. A poor attitude at the start line is like taking a boat anchor to the start of any race. It will only drag you down. Learn to use your emotions to fuel you.
Give yourself reasonable guidelines you can commit to
If you’re going to cut calories, cut out calories that make sense (sugars, fats, saturated oils). Don’t cut calories and still eat garbage. Give yourself a guideline you can accomplish (no sugar), and then build on that success until you have built a diet or exercise plan that you can accomplish.
Be kind to yourself
You will miss a workout, get stuck eating food you didn’t want to at a work event, or lose sight of your goal for a few days. Give yourself the grace to regain your footing and get back on track. It’s not the end of the world.
What goal are you working towards?
Look back on a time when you crushed a big goal
What were 3 things you remember that helped you succeed?
What advice would you give to someone just starting out?